Primitive Archer

Main Discussion Area => Around the Campfire => Topic started by: johnston on October 05, 2012, 10:41:58 pm

Title: Melting Raw Beeswax
Post by: johnston on October 05, 2012, 10:41:58 pm

Best method?

Lane

Title: Re: Melting Raw Beeswax
Post by: JW_Halverson on October 05, 2012, 11:01:20 pm

Double boiler or a crock pot.  You definitely do NOT want to put it in a pot directly on a heat source.  If a pot of wax ignites bad things take place, the least of which is causing a whole lot of smoke damage in the house. 

If you have to heat large volumes, turkey roasters work pretty well, too.

Title: Re: Melting Raw Beeswax
Post by: Fred Arnold on October 05, 2012, 11:22:20 pm

I try to do mine outdoors but love the smell of it in the cabin.
JW is right about direct heat. Even when doing a small batch I will place it in a microwave safe plastic container and place it in a larger pan of boiling water. 160 degrees will get it melting and I just keep a close eye on it. Once melted I use gloves and place it on a flat surface to cool. At my age I never get in too big a hurry. I know you've heard this before but the hurrier I go, the behinder I get.

Title: Re: Melting Raw Beeswax
Post by: johnston on October 06, 2012, 10:27:55 pm

Thanks guys. Crock pot sounds pretty safe. Had no idea this stuff was so volatile til
the guy who gave it to me filled me in.

Fred, I quit hurrying 20 years ago. Seems to work.