Carol Cottrill

C15H31COOC30H61 Insoluble in water, density 0.95 (it floats) Melting point 144 o F Discolors when heated over 185 o F Flash point 400 o F Stable chemical makeup Doesnt oxidize Not effected by mildew

Only substance known that emits a negative ion when burned Neutralizes positive static charges that keep contaminants airborne Combustion creates a convection current that draws contaminants to the flame - they are deposited into the wax causing it to darken

Four pairs of epidermal glands on worker abdomen 7 – 15 # honey to produce 1 # wax Bees ~ 12 days old Bees with full honey stomachs

In the bee yard Scrapings Lots of debris Coffee can with lid Keep in freezer From Old Frames Propolis, larval skins, honey Dark wax

From Cappings 1 – 2 pounds produced per 100 pounds honey Light wax Honey, but fewer impurities Wash and dry or Let bees clean up the honey

Pans Dont use good pans Metal coffee cans Heating Table top electric burner Cover surfaces to catch splatters

Beeswax is highly flammable Fire extinguisher Use a double boiler Dont use gas stove for water process method

Solar Wax Melter

Water process method – cappings Fill pan about ½ with water then add wax Dont overfill the pot Heat to melt wax completely Let cool slowly Remove disk of wax

Water Process – scrapings (dirtier wax) Fill pan about ½ with water then add wax Heat to melt wax completely Filter – type of filter depends on how dirty wax is Reheat Let cool slowly Remove disk of wax

Burlap bag method Fill burlap sack with wax plus a brick and tie closed Immerse in large drum of hot water with a couple of bricks in the bottom The wax will melt and rise to the surface

Let wax disk dry completely Scrape off any debris on bottom For cosmetics re-melt and filter Pour into small blocks or bars

For candles melt wax disks and filter if needed

Basic Lip Balm Melt together 3 T + 1 tsp olive or sunflower oil ½ oz beeswax Add Vitamin E oil Flavoring oil Wax - oil formulations do not need an emulsifying agent

Basic Hand Cream Melt together 2 cups olive, sunflower or mineral oil 5 oz beeswax In a separate pan mix together 1 and 1/3 cups distilled water 2 tsp Borax Heat to dissolve Add Borax/water to oil/beeswax while stirring Water + wax - oil mixtures require an emulsifying agent

Use clean wax Label products correctly if you plan to sell them Product name Ingredients Weight Producer name/address

Melting wax Freeze wax to break it to fit in pan No water in wax Dont stir – let any impurities settle Dont over heat the wax Pans for melting Coffee can bent to form a spout Purchased pan

Wicking Match to the size of the mold Dirty wax will clog the wick Too large a wick will smoke Use clean molds Spray with mold release

Level the mold Hold wicks with pins or clips

Soda bottle for pouring May have to top off mold to correct shrinkage Cooling too fast can cause cracking

Natural minerals rising to the candle surface. Wipe off with a lint free cloth (nylon hosiery) Carefully warm for a few seconds with a hair dryer

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