How to Render Beeswax the Easy Way
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In the last post I wrote about my new honey press, which is actually a fruit press made for crushing apples and grapes. It works great for pressing honey. So after all of the honey is pressed out of the comb, what do you do with the smashed, crushed pieces of propolis covered comb?
This is How I Render Beeswax
I tried lots of different ways of cleaning and melting it using crockpots, stovetops, and the sun (which in Arizona is pretty effective in the summer). But the most reliable and easy way of rendering wax in my experience is in the oven.
It is almost like magic to me. I pile this brown, dirty-looking comb on a paper towel and at the end comes this marigold yellow beeswax. Like how does that happen? It’s so cool!
Rendering Wax is like Magic
I use a broiler pan, which has a slotted pan on top of a deeper solid pan. Then I place one layer of paper towels over it and then pile the comb on top of that. Here is a stainless steel broiler pan that looks just right.
*Make sure to fill the bottom pan half full of water.
Turn the oven to 200 degrees F, and wait a few hours until all the wax is melted. You can leave it overnight if you want.
Once the wax has melted you will have the remains of propolis and other things that didn’t melt through the paper towel. Hint: Make sure to remove the paper towel and unfiltered remnants of the comb while the pan is still warm so that it comes off easily. Once that cools, you can tear or cut it into pieces to be used as fire starters for camping or barbecuing.
Clean, Beautiful Beeswax!
Under the broiler slotted pan you will see a clean layer of wax floating on the water. Once it has cooled you can lift if off and break it into pieces for use in making salves, lib balms, candles, or whatever else your heart desires.
Ready for Your Projects!
Make sure you have your bags sealed so that wax moths don’t find their way in and ruin it. Other than that, just store it until you are ready to use it. I like this older beeswax because it has a lot of pollen and propolis residue left in it (hence the golden color). This is the good stuff that I use for making salves and balms.
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
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How to Render Beeswax the Easy Way
This page may contain affiliate links. Learn more.
In the last post I wrote about my new honey press, which is actually a fruit press made for crushing apples and grapes. It works great for pressing honey. So after all of the honey is pressed out of the comb, what do you do with the smashed, crushed pieces of propolis covered comb?
This is How I Render Beeswax
I tried lots of different ways of cleaning and melting it using crockpots, stovetops, and the sun (which in Arizona is pretty effective in the summer). But the most reliable and easy way of rendering wax in my experience is in the oven.
It is almost like magic to me. I pile this brown, dirty-looking comb on a paper towel and at the end comes this marigold yellow beeswax. Like how does that happen? It’s so cool!
Rendering Wax is like Magic
I use a broiler pan, which has a slotted pan on top of a deeper solid pan. Then I place one layer of paper towels over it and then pile the comb on top of that. Here is a stainless steel broiler pan that looks just right.
*Make sure to fill the bottom pan half full of water.
Turn the oven to 200 degrees F, and wait a few hours until all the wax is melted. You can leave it overnight if you want.
Once the wax has melted you will have the remains of propolis and other things that didn’t melt through the paper towel. Hint: Make sure to remove the paper towel and unfiltered remnants of the comb while the pan is still warm so that it comes off easily. Once that cools, you can tear or cut it into pieces to be used as fire starters for camping or barbecuing.
Clean, Beautiful Beeswax!
Under the broiler slotted pan you will see a clean layer of wax floating on the water. Once it has cooled you can lift if off and break it into pieces for use in making salves, lib balms, candles, or whatever else your heart desires.
Ready for Your Projects!
Make sure you have your bags sealed so that wax moths don’t find their way in and ruin it. Other than that, just store it until you are ready to use it. I like this older beeswax because it has a lot of pollen and propolis residue left in it (hence the golden color). This is the good stuff that I use for making salves and balms.
I’m Here For You
For weekly updates on beekeeping in Arizona and what do do with your bee products, sign up for my newsletter. You’ll also receive a FREE Quick Guide to Beekeeping in Arizona. You’ll love it!
If you would like more personalized help, book a mentorship session with me. Simply send me a message and we can set it up.
