Rendering beeswax.....what really is the best way for large amounts?

[Haughton Honey]

I'm interested to know what method the medium to larger scale beekeepers on here use to render their beeswax (either whole frames or lumps of 'stodge', perhaps from your separation bucket) with least mess and minimal input?

I've used a large, heated uncapping tray and also something similar to the Swienty 'steam operated' tank that holds perhaps 8 to 10 frames vertically, but both of these methods are messy.

Views appreciated.

 

[For want of a better word]

There is a short on U Tube showing a water filter kettle with boiling water and wax in the bottom and cold water poured in forcing hot wax through a filter and out through a spout at the top... by the Sheenaganentie??????

have not tried it but looked promising !

 

[Poly Hive]

My vid... lol my Utube nick is Shenachie.

WPC define large please? My large may be your small and what I can tell you about Struan may be too big...

PH

 

[Erichalfbee]

Is that our own Poly Hive?
http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/video.php?do=viewdetails&videoid=68

 

[Poly Hive]

Yup

My beastie runs through some 40-60 lbs to candle quality as the machine can be set with three filters, coarse, fine and surgical lint...

PH

 

[richardbees]

Brilliant!

 

[Onge]

I tried to commission one of those.

They wanted to charge £150+ before they started.

How much was yours?

 

[Bee-Key-Pur]

What about this one,
http://www.deanforestbeekeepers.co.uk/?module=Pages&func=display&pageid=18#videos
Go to the link at the bottom of the page...

 

[Poly Hive]

I went to a stainless steel specialist who were local to me at the time, namely in Arbroath town, and they charged me (I think) £150. At the time I thought it a good deal, and now with hind sight it was a very good deal.

PH

 

[beebreeder]

WPC
Some of the local bee farmers just chuck the lot in a 205 litre barrel quarter to half full of water and light a fire under it, do it in the winter, melt the wax and skim off when cold. Using w/shop waste under the fire makes it economic to do.
kev

 

[Haughton Honey]

Lots of food for thought there folks.

Many thanks to all.

Great vid PH.

 

[The Riviera Kid]

WPC
Some of the local bee farmers just chuck the lot in a 205 litre barrel quarter to half full of water and light a fire under it, do it in the winter, melt the wax and skim off when cold. Using w/shop waste under the fire makes it economic to do.
kev

This is what I do. But with a smaller barrel. It works well.

 

[BBG]

What about this one,
http://www.deanforestbeekeepers.co.uk/?module=Pages&func=display&pageid=18#videos
Go to the link at the bottom of the page...

PH's makes them look very primitive.

PH - brilliant.
It looks like the only 'moving' parts would be the filters.
How do you ensure the filters stay in place and where do you get the filters please?

 

[Poly Hive]

The filters are held with a large jubilee clip. It needs to be tight as believe it or not there is a quite considerable pressure involved.

The filters are made from the mesh I used in my spin drier for filtering honey and the surgical lint one is sewn together and the lint bought from a medical supply outfit.

I will be demonstrating it at Stainton on the 5th of November.

PH

 

[BBG]

The filters are held with a large jubilee clip. It needs to be tight as believe it or not there is a quite considerable pressure involved.

The filters are made from the mesh I used in my spin drier for filtering honey and the surgical lint one is sewn together and the lint bought from a medical supply outfit.

I will be demonstrating it at Stainton on the 5th of November.

PH

Thanks for that.

Seem to recollect a post you did on your spin drier but there were no photographs or drawings and instructions - would be good.

Stainton too far for me to travel - shame.

 

[Poly Hive]

Buy a spin drier.

Mod it to bypass the safety switch. From this point on remember it will not switch off!

Line drum with coarse mesh as a spacer. Buy fine mesh of a food grade plastic and stitch a bag, and there is a pic of mine on the site.

Use a dimmer switch to control the power, and pour warmed honey into it slowly and it will come out as fast as it goes in.

When filter bag is dirty replace it with a clean one, it pays to have three bags.

It really is that simple.

PH

 

[alanf]

Buy a spin drier. Use a dimmer switch to control the power

I do like the idea of adapting commodity equipment. There is a video somewhere on youtub showing a spindrier as cider press.

How difficult would it be to build an extractor using a spin drier? There are plenty of plug in dimmer switches but most seem rated around 300W, is that enough? The rate these things spin at 230V would probably be enough to damage a frame. If the speed were limited and there was some way of holding frames we could have a cheap and simple extractor.

 

[Poly Hive]

You already can if you crush up the comb and put into a draw string bag and then proceed as above it works beautifully for dealing with cappings.

Putting in a whole frame would I strongly suspect just plain would not work as it would be impossible to get the weight balanced, and if you have ever spun washing in a drier then you will be well aware of how easy it is to get it off balance.

PH

 

[johnandyrob]

What and where is Stainton ?

 

[Poly Hive]

As someone said recently.. LOL Google is your friend.

Stainton is here: http://common-land.com/lands/view/5128

PH