One advantage of beekeeping is having your own wax. This is a valuable bee product with countless benefits and uses.

Raw beeswax is full of impurities such as wood splinters, bee body parts, propolis, bee cocoons, honey, etc. You will need to remove all the debris to get the attractive golden beeswax. The process may sound difficult but is easier than you think. 

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What is Beeswax?

Beeswax is secreted by worker bees to make honeycombs. They secrete the wax from special glands located on their abdomen. They then shape the wax scales into hexagonal structures that make up a comb. Since it dries up into flakes once in contact with the air, they chew the wax until it becomes pliable like clay and shape it into hexagonal-shaped honeycombs. The bees ingest 6 to 8 pounds of honey to make a pound of wax. 

Honeycombs act as a storage for honey, brood, and bee bread. Fresh beeswax is clear but becomes darker as it is used in the nest to store honey, brood, and pollen. Beekeepers harvest the wax that is left over after honey extraction. A beekeeper who harvests more wax may produce less honey. Beeswax is a valuable byproduct of the hive. 

It has been used for hundreds of years as a lubricant, waterproofing agent, making candles, and as polish for wood and leather. Amazingly, it is edible and is approved for food use in many countries. 

What is the Meaning of Rendering Wax?

Rendering wax is the same as cleaning to get rid of unwanted substances. No one will want a dirty lotion, lip balm, soap, etc.

Easy way of rendering beeswax

Requirements

• Beeswax or honeycomb
• Double boiler
• Mesh strainer
• Beeswax molds
• Cheesecloth

Step by Step Process

Wrap Up the Combs in a Cheese Cloth

To ease separating the unwanted solids from wax, it is advisable to wrap it in some cheesecloth. The cloth will trap most of the impurities.

Boiling

The wax is distributed throughout the honeycomb. To separate it, you need to boil it in water. 

Fill a pot with water and add the wrapped honeycombs. Turn on the heat (medium or low heat)and wait for it to melt. 

The beeswax melts and seeps out of the cheesed cloth as the water heats, leaving the debris behind. The water turns oily and yellow. When all wax has melted, pick up the sac and use a pair of tongs to squeeze out as much wax as you can from the bundle left. 

Allow the Beeswax to Cool

Allow the contents of the pot to cool down completely before you remove the wax. This may take a few hours. All the Semi-cleaned wax solidifies into a cake and floats at the top. Remove the wax cake from the dirty water.

Melt the beeswax in a double boiler

Remelt the wax in a double boiler so that any remaining solids and dirt will fall to the bottom. Keep it in the double boiler until all wax has melted. 

A double boiler allows the heat to be transferred from the water to spread uniformly around your wax container. 

Filter to Remove Impurities

To clean it further,  pour it through a filter gently. 

Pour into molds

Once it is clean to your satisfaction, pour it into your desired molds or paper cups. You may clean the wax more than once to give it a nice beeswax color. 

Allow the Beeswax to Fully Cool into Molds

Give the wax ample time to cool down. It will take a few hours. 

Cautions When Rendering Wax

Don’t leave your beeswax unsupervised. 

Beeswax is highly flammable, and it is very easy to start a kitchen fire.  It is advisable to have a fire extinguisher just in case of an accident.

Designate Utensils for Beeswax

It is extremely hard to remove beeswax from pots and utensils. It is good to use utensils dedicated for rendering wax alone. 

Avoid Pouring Wax Water Down the Drain

It is easy to clog your drains with wax since it lasts long. When cleaning up, avoid pouring the wax water on the drain. 

Use Electric Heating if Possible

An electric heater is ideal since you are not exposing the wax to an open frame. The wax can catch fire just like grease. 

Avoid Overheating

Overheating the wax may result in flame. It may also cause the wax to darken. 

Use soft water

Use soft water such as rainwater with low mineral content to prevent saponification. 

Avoid pans made from copper, zinc, iron, and brass. 

These materials have a darkening effect on the wax. 

Avoid Combs with Fermented Honey

To get rid of unwanted odor, ensure no fermented honey is present. 

Advantages of rendering Your Beeswax

• When you render your beeswax, you are sure no chemicals are involved in the process. This could be an issue if you use wax to make natural products. 
• You save money by rendering your wax. Raw wax is way much cheaper.

How to Store Beeswax for Later Use

If you want to use the wax later, wrap it in baking parchment or greaseproof paper and store it in a cool, dry place. For longer storage periods, you can use glass or plastic containers. These will help protect the wax and preserve the color and characteristic beeswax fragrance. Store it when it is completely dry. 

How Beekeepers Harvest Wax

When beekeepers harvest honeycombs the wax and the honey must be separated. If they want the bees to reuse the comb, they use an extractor to remove the honey. 

The crush and strain method of harvesting produces more wax. However, a beekeeper may get excess wax at the expense of a reduced honey crop the following year. This is because the colony must rebuild all the honeycomb in that frame. The cappings used to cap honey cells are the freshest wax, hence the light color. 

Uses of Beeswax

Making candles

Beeswax has been used for centuries to make candles. Candles require clean wax; otherwise, the wick will clog. Although the wax may look clean, it may contain substances that hinder the candle from burning. 

Food Fabric Wraps

You can treat cloth with beeswax and use it like plastic wraps to protect food once it is opened. The wax clothes are reusable. 

Anesthetic Wood wax

Beeswax can create a wood waxing solution to prevent it from being worn out by use or exposure.

Shoe Polish

Beeswax is used as a component of shoe polish. You can also use it directly on your shoe to waterproof it. 

Furniture polish

It is used as a component of furniture polish. It is superior to synthetic chemical-based furniture polish. 

Skin Care Products

Research shows that beeswax is superior to similar barrier creams. It is used as an emulsifier and thickener in skincare products. You will find it in sunscreens, make-up, and baby products. It helps moisturize sensitive skin, soothe certain skin conditions and hydrate the skin.

Soaps and Lip balms

It is used as an ingredient in making DIY soaps, lip balms, and other cosmetics.

Waterproofing

It is used for weather and waterproofing on boots, hats, and jackets. 

Lubricant

Beeswax is used as a lubricant on hinges, drawers, and oven racks. Its versatility and chemical structure make it a perfect multipurpose lubricant. 

Other Uses Include:

• Lining up baking pans to prevent certain pastries from sticking and creating a crispy crust
• Creating textile designs in the art of batiking 
• An ingredient in natural tree grafting wax
• Making children’s toys and crayons
• Coating nails and screws to prevent the wood from splitting.
• To wax thread for sewing and leatherwork
• Used on garden tools such as fork, hoe, and shovel to prevent rusting. 

Does beeswax expire?

Rendered beeswax doesn’t expire as long as it is kept plain with no perishable additives. As it ages, it produces bloom. This is a powdery substance that is harmless and can be buffed off. 

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FAQs

Why do honeycombs turn black?

Honeycombs turn black after being used repeatedly. However, they retain the light color for a long time. 

Can you eat beeswax?

Yes, you can eat raw beeswax. It contains long-chain fatty acids, which are beneficial to our body.

What is the difference between honeycomb and beeswax?

Raw honey and beeswax make the honeycomb. Worker bees consume lots of honey to secrete wax used to make a honeycomb. Honeycombs are used to store honey, pollen, and brood. 

How long does it take bees to make wax?

At its peak of production, a healthy worker bee can produce eight wax scales in 12 hours. 

What does beeswax look like?

Beeswax range in color from white to black. Freshly secreted wax is white but turns yellow with time. 

Are bees attracted to beeswax?

Yes, bees are attracted to beeswax. They interpret the smell of wax as food or remnants of their hive scent. 

Is beeswax waterproof?

Yes, beeswax is waterproof. It helps to keep unwanted moisture from food and traps the food’s natural moisture. 

Does beeswax expire?

Beeswax does not expire. It is best to store it away from heat. 

How do you melt beeswax?

You should melt beeswax with a double boiler in low to medium heat.