Melting down old frames

[JohnyP]

Is there any reason why I might have ended up with brown sludge after I melted down some old frames?

I normally melt them in a large pan with a couple of inches of water, sift out the cocoons and sift into a bucket so it can cool down. The wax normally sets in a cake, floating over the water. This time there was no wax, just a yucky brown mush.

It did boil briefly. Could this be the problem?

 

[Amari]

The same has happened to me. There is very little wax in old brood comb so I use them as firelighters in the winter.

 

[YorkshireBees]

The same has happened to me. There is very little wax in old brood comb so I use them as firelighters in the winter.

During the Summer I use a solar wax melter and then you can see how little wax there is in really old comb!

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Now we've missed the solar extractor season, anyone with a compost heap may find it is hot enough in there. I can't bury my arm in mine for the heat. Going to give it a go...

 

[YorkshireBees]

Now we've missed the solar extractor season, anyone with a compost heap may find it is hot enough in there. I can't bury my arm in mine for the heat. Going to give it a go...

Google says
"Beeswax has a relatively low melting point range of 62 to 64 °C (144 to 147 °F)"

I know compost heaps can generate a lot of heat but that high????

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

A quick google gives two sources talking about 70C or 160F. 160 is also 70 and my right hand says "too b--y hot for me", which I thought was about 70 so yes, I'll reckon it'll do beeswax. I just have to find a box.

It's doing wonders on my 2:1!

<ADD>I find this fascinating! http://deepgreenpermaculture.com/diy-instructions/hot-compost-composting-in-18-days/ </ADD>

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I just have to find a box.

A big ziplock bag and a couple of frames! I'll report back.

 

[JohnyP]

Is there any reason why I might have ended up with brown sludge after I melted down some old frames?

I normally melt them in a large pan with a couple of inches of water, sift out the cocoons and sift into a bucket so it can cool down. The wax normally sets in a cake, floating over the water. This time there was no wax, just a yucky brown mush.

It did boil briefly. Could this be the problem?

A return to this thread because i have solved the mystery

If you pour mixed hot wax and water through a sieve into a bucket, make sure there is no cold water in the bucket already, otherwise the wax instantly cools and solidifies into nasty brown sludge. Pour into an empty bucket to get a nice clean cake of wax floating on the top. job done...

 

[dexter's shed]

recently melted some wax up that had honey in, which also boiled over, same brown sludge, so I'd say that's your answer, caramelized honey, have seen some places sell it as cooking honey, think it'll get poured away for me