BBKA news steam wax extractor

[SixFooter]

I have a few issues with my Sthorns bought steam extractor and read with interest the article about a homemade steam wax extractor in BBKA News However, Im not going to try it as the description seems to ignore key design points, the chief one being, how to stop steam leaking from the joints when it is in use. My guess is that it will leak between the roof and the Brood box and the broodbox and the sink as well as the entry point of the steam hose.
Has anyone tried it?
Also, the authors said they used rain water as the source of steam. Any idea why ?

 

[olriley]

Doesn’t need to be ‘steam-tight’ - there will be a few leaks and it will get hot enough inside. Rainwater to avoid scale I guess.

Tim Rowe has also made one which I like
https://youtu.be/Wzkxq7qGqxQ

 

[iann41]

funny you have posted this as I have just made a steam wax extractor out of a 3 piece (lid, filter section and main body) honey settling tank. The tank has to be 40 years old and has surface rust. It leaks steam all over the place but does a good job of melting the wax. Its powered by a wall paper stripper.

Ian

 

[coffindodger]

funny you have posted this as I have just made a steam wax extractor out of a 3 piece (lid, filter section and main body) honey settling tank. The tank has to be 40 years old and has surface rust. It leaks steam all over the place but does a good job of melting the wax. Its powered by a wall paper stripper.

Ian

Ian, Any chance you could post pictures or diagram please?

 

[Roola]

I have a few issues with my Sthorns bought steam extractor and read with interest the article about a homemade steam wax extractor in BBKA News However, Im not going to try it as the description seems to ignore key design points, the chief one being, how to stop steam leaking from the joints when it is in use. My guess is that it will leak between the roof and the Brood box and the broodbox and the sink as well as the entry point of the steam hose.
Has anyone tried it?
Also, the authors said they used rain water as the source of steam. Any idea why ?

I would say rainwater is suggested as it isn't hard so won't fur up the element? May also be people worried about the tainting of any honey from chlorine in water?

 

[enrico]

Made one out of old floor on an upturned roof cover with a small gap in one side, and celtex sides and roof. Low entry point for steam and wallpaper extractor. Tilt the whole thing towards the cut out in the roof cover. Works a treat but don't do it in an area that the bees can get to. They come in hundreds when they smell the melting wax.
There is a lot of water run off so I run the melted wax and water into a bucket of cold water. The wax separates and floats.
So easy to make and quite fun!!
E

 

[iann41]

sorry coffin dodger I can't seem to upload pictures.

 

[Vortex]

There's a post on the BBKA FB page of a steam extractor made from a wall paper stripper (£5 at a car boot) and one of the blue food barrels (can be sourced from ebay).

 

[iann41]

think I have it sorted

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the bees wax is from cappings (light coloured stuff) and brood frames which were over 7 years old

 

[madasafish]

think I have it sorted



the bees wax is from cappings (light coloured stuff) and brood frames which were over 7 years old

Nice pics

 

[SixFooter]

ElRiley Surely if it leaks, it’s less efficient. The one in your link uses straps to clamp the boxes together. I can’t see any steam leaking out in the video. Isn’t the idea that the steam passes over the frames before leaving the extractor or condensing inside. If steam is piped in through the roof like what it is in the BBKA DIY extractor and the joint between the roof and the brood box leaks, a lot of steam will leak out before it gets to the frames

 

[Beefriendly]

Surely if it leaks, it’s less efficient.

If it doesn't leak you could use the pressure to run your own steam engine.
If it doesn't "leak" it becomes dangerous.

When they are less efficient is using them on freezing cold days.

 

[SixFooter]

I like this one. Anyone got an old rusty settling tank for sale?

 

[SixFooter]

Obviously the steam has to exit the device, but it’s surely better if it does that after passing over the frames. Im not suggesting it shouldnt come out at all. That would be madness

 

[JWF]

Obviously the steam has to exit the device, but it’s surely better if it does that after passing over the frames. Im not suggesting it shouldnt come out at all. That would be madness

It doesn't have to exit if it condenses

 

[coffindodger]

Originally Posted by iann41
think I have it sorted
Iann
That's brilliant. Thank you. Plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery (i.e. I'm going to copy you).

 

[mickbees23]

I have a home made one. Its made with a wallpaper stripper. I use foam where the joints mate together and it doesn't leak very much. I have a varroa mesh to catch the casings and chunks of debris and a cloth screen to catch the finer stuff. Old liquid stores run out first then the melted wax.

It works a treat.

Cheers, Mick.

 

[sean-a]

I have just extracted a couple of brood boxes of manky old comb.

Set up as follows:

-Solid floor propped up on paving slabs at an angle of about 15 degrees.
-Two sheets of aluminum foil lining it, joined together by folding over the seam a couple of times.
-Brood boxs on top of the solid floor and kitchen foil
two more sheets of foil - again joined together on top
Cover board on top of the foil
-Wall paper steamer pipe inserted into the gap in the solid floor.
- another crumpled piece of foil roughly sealing the gap between the solid floor and the brood box.
- old polystyrene box to collect wax

Bob's your uncle!

After, and while still hot, went over all the frames with a hive tool and cleaned them up. Planning to reuse the lot

Heath Robinson, but worked a treat. Pretty much no wax left in the slum gum at the end.

 

[iann41]

coffin dodger

I suppose you could use a newer settling tank and make yourself a plywood lid with inlet for the steam. a good clean after and reuse as a honey settling tank. just a thought!

 

[coffindodger]

coffin dodger

I suppose you could use a newer settling tank and make yourself a plywood lid with inlet for the steam. a good clean after and reuse as a honey settling tank. just a thought!

.....and a good one, thanks.