Wax
Beekeeping tools for working with wax, such as wax melters, stainless steel or plastic melting tanks, and solar wax extractors, make it easy to process and remelt beeswax. If you are a smaller-scale beekeeper, a solar wax extractor will certainly meet your needs. However, if you manage a larger number of colonies, we recommend investing in a more robust device such as a wax melter, which will greatly simplify your wax processing. Our wax melters are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and capacities. You can also choose among different energy sources, including electricity, gas, or wood. The range of wax-processing tools also includes bags and molds.
Steam generator Mellarius - 2 kW
It is ment to produce dry steam in wax melters or similar tanks for melting.
Solar wax melter Smalto® XI
Do you want to obtain pure virgin wax with minimal work and without energy costs? The compact solar wax melter Smalto® XI is a practical helper for beekeepers who want to melt wax from old comb and wild comb simply – without boiling and without unnecessary effort.
Stainless steel solar wax melter Smalto® IX
Stand for solar wax melter Smalto
When melting beeswax in a solar wax melter, the strength and angle of sunlight incidence are primarily decisive. The stand for the Smalto solar wax melter is designed to help you get the maximum out of every sunny day while making handling at the apiary easier.
Rotating stand for solar wax melter - foldable
Maximize your wax extraction efficiency to the maximum. This robust rotating stand is designed so that your solar wax melter can literally track the sun across the sky. This ensures optimal angle of solar rays throughout the day, leading to faster and more thorough wax melting without the need for complex manipulation of heavy equipment.
Wood stove wax melter - Bieno
Do you need to render beeswax directly at the apiary without dependence on electricity or expensive gas? This combined stainless steel wax melter with wood stove brings a practical, economical and ecological solution for beekeepers who want to work efficiently even away from facilities.
Wood-fired steam generator ApiNord 23 liters
Do you want a reliable source of steam for melting beeswax without dependence on electricity or gas? The ApiNord® wood-fired steam generator with a volume of 23 liters is a practical and economical choice for beekeepers who need to work at the apiary even outside the reach of an electrical outlet – while melting wax quickly and smoothly.
Wood-fired steam generator ApiNord 70 liters
Do you need power for wax melting without dependence on electricity or gas cylinder replacement? ApiNord® Pro 70 l is a professional wood-fired steam generator for beekeepers who want stable steam production, reliable operation in the field and low fuel costs at the same time.
Wax melter ApiNord – plastic box Dadant
Do you want to obtain pure beeswax quickly, without mess and without unnecessarily large equipment? The ApiNord assembly for Dadant size is a practical 2-in-1 solution that you can use all year round.
Wax melter ApiNord – plastic box DN/Zander
Do you want to obtain clean and quality beeswax from frames without lengthy boiling and unnecessary mess? ApiNord melting box is a practical and at the same time professional solution that combines a frame transport box with a powerful steam extractor.
Wax melter with press P40
Steam wax melter Mellarius - 7.5 l
The Mellarius steam generator offers a capacity of 7.5 liters and a power output of 3000 W. It is designed for beekeepers who want fast melting of frames and comb, safe operation and comfortable handling in the workshop.
Electric wax melter ApiCera - 3 kW
Speed up and streamline beeswax processing in your beekeeping practice with the powerful ApiCera steam wax melter. Suitable for both smaller apiaries and operations where larger batches of comb are regularly melted. The woodenstainless steel design is engineered for fast, clean and reliable wax melting from combs ...
Mellarius Wax Melting Tank 20 l
This high-quality electric stainless steel melting pot is an ideal helper for beekeepers, candle makers, and cosmetics producers. It operates on the proven double boiler (water bath) principle, which is extremely gentle on beeswax and protects it from degradation.
Coil for Mellarius steam generator 7.5 l - 3 kW
Keep your steam generator always ready for the season and don't let yourself be stopped when you need to quickly melt wax. The heating coil is a key part of the steam generator – it maintains the necessary temperature for stable steam production, which speeds up the work...
Stainless steel solar wax melter ApiCera®
Wax exctractor Mellarius round P40
A high-quality round wax extractor designed to easily and quickly melt wax from frames using steam, which is heated by 2.2 kW steam generator (included in the package).
Mellarius Wax Melter with Steam Generator - 62 x 42 cm
A high-quality rectangular wax extractor designed to easily and quickly melt wax from frames using steam, which is heated by 2.2 kW steam generator (included in the package).
Wax exctractor Mellarius rectangular 62 x 62
A high-quality rectangular wax extractor designed to easily and quickly melt wax from frames using steam, which is heated by 2.2 kW steam generator (included in the package).
Wax exctractor Mellarius round P45
A high-quality round wax extractor designed to easily and quickly melt wax from frames using steam, which is heated by 2.2 kW steam generator (included in the package).
Wax exctractor Mellarius round P53
A high-quality round wax extractor designed to easily and quickly melt wax from frames using steam, which is heated by 2.2 kW steam generator (included in the package).
Stainless steel wax melter 50 x 50 cm
High-quality large wax melter designed for easy and quick melting of wax from frames and drawn combs using water steam, which can be heated either by a steam generator or with the help of a gas burner.
Stainless steel wax melter 62 x 42 cm
High-quality large wax melter designed for easy and quick melting of wax from frames and drawn combs using water steam, which can be heated either by a steam generator or with the help of a gas burner.
Stainless steel wax melter 62 x 62 cm
High-quality large wax melter designed for easy and quick melting of wax from frames and drawn combs using water steam, which can be heated either by a steam generator or with the help of a gas burner.
Mellarius Wax Melter with Gas Burner 62 x 42 cm
High-quality large wax melter designed for easy and quick melting of wax from frames and drawn combs using water steam, which can be heated either by a steam generator or with the help of a gas burner.
Mellarius Wax Melter with Gas Burner 62 x 62 cm
High-quality large wax melter designed for easy and quick melting of wax from frames and drawn combs using water steam, which can be heated either by a steam generator or with the help of a gas burner.
Mellarius P64 Honey and Wax Separator
Separator and honey liquefier is a stainless steel device used for example to extract wax and honey. The separator automatically separates wax from honey.
Due to its size, the device is also suitable for liquefying crystallized honey in jars, buckets, etc.
Beeswax: From Harvesting to Its Versatile Uses
Beeswax is a valuable product of beekeeping, produced by bees to store honey, pollen, and serve as a building material for brood cells. This natural substance offers a wide range of uses—from candle making and cosmetics to beekeeping foundations.
Production and Properties of Beeswax
Beeswax is secreted by the eighth pair of wax glands located on the underside of a worker bee’s abdomen. These glands form tiny wax scales, which are transferred to the worker’s forelegs and mixed with saliva. The resulting material is malleable and suitable for constructing honeycombs. Beeswax is chemically complex, comprising more than 250 different compounds that give it unique characteristics. Its relatively low melting point—around 63 °C—makes it easy to process and reuse.
Processing Beeswax
The main goal of wax processing is to obtain clean and impurity-free beeswax. Various techniques can be used, including solar and steam melters. Solar melters utilize sunlight, while steam devices can be operated year-round thanks to electric or gas heating. Once melted and purified, beeswax can be reprocessed into foundations, candles, or even soaps.
It is essential that wax products such as foundation sheets are of high quality. Foundations made from pure beeswax are flexible and durable. Investing in a good-quality foundation mold pays off, thanks to its ease of use and efficient cooling.
Methods of Beeswax Extraction
Wax extraction often poses a challenge for many beekeepers. Wax yield represents only a small fraction compared to honey, and traditional methods can leave up to half of the wax in the residue. Studies show that different extraction methods vary in efficiency, though their principles have remained similar for decades. The use of presses, for example, improves yield by freeing wax trapped in the cocoon remnants.
Basic Methods of Beeswax Extraction
There are several ways to extract wax from old combs and foundations:
Traditional boiling and pressing: Pieces of comb are boiled in a large container of water, then the wax is pressed through cloth bags to separate impurities.
Steam extraction: Commonly used for foundations, this method employs steam devices operating with two connected chambers, allowing the wax to separate efficiently.
Solar wax melter: Ideal for processing smaller quantities, it uses solar energy to melt the wax, which then drains into a collection tray.
Manual extraction: In this process, raw wax is soaked in water, boiled, then manually pressed and filtered to remove remaining impurities.
Each method has its pros and cons. Solar melters are environmentally friendly but suitable only for small volumes. Electric wax melters, on the other hand, offer fast and efficient processing but require a higher initial investment.
Wax Extraction: Tips for Beekeepers
1. Traditional Solar Melter
A solar melter is a simple device that uses solar power to melt wax. It is popular due to its low cost and environmental benefits. It works best for clean combs, such as new bright wax. The downside is lower efficiency and dependence on sunlight.
2. Steam-Melting Method
Steam is a powerful tool for melting wax, especially useful for older, darker combs. The process requires a steam-generating device, such as a pressure cooker or steamer, connected by a hose to a wax chamber. This setup represents a larger investment but ensures a higher wax yield.
3. Combined Steam and Press Method
To maximize yield, a pressing mechanism can be added. Pressing helps extract residual wax from cocoon remnants, which is especially valuable when processing old, debris-filled combs. This combination reduces waste and improves the purity of the obtained wax.
4. Melting in a Potato Steamer
This method suits small-scale beekeepers. Combs are bundled together and steamed until the wax is released. The approach is simple and relatively safe, using only minimal water while keeping the frames easy to clean afterward.
5. Modern Technical Solutions
Commercially available electric wax melters can greatly simplify the process. These devices often feature temperature control and the ability to melt multiple frames at once, making wax processing more efficient.
6. Using Old Appliances
Applying recycling principles, some beekeepers repurpose old household appliances such as microwaves or tea boilers as heat sources for melting wax. With the right modifications, these devices can be integrated into your wax-melting setup, helping reduce costs and reuse existing equipment.
Uses of Beeswax
Beeswax has a broad range of applications:
Cosmetics and skincare: Its water-resistant properties make it ideal for balms and creams.
Crafting: Commonly used in candle making and decorative arts.
Pharmaceuticals: Utilized as a coating agent for pills and tablets.
Food industry: Serves as a protective coating for certain cheeses and food products.
Yield and quality of beeswax vary depending on the extraction method used.
Beeswax is an essential element of beekeeping products. Its extraction requires skill and the right equipment to maximize both yield and purity. The versatility of beeswax—from food preservation to cosmetics—highlights its value in modern beekeeping practices. Ongoing innovations in extraction methods promise greater efficiency and broader use of this valuable natural resource.
Wax extraction is a crucial part of sustainable beekeeping. Each method offers distinct benefits and limitations, and the optimal choice depends on your needs, available resources, and the size of your apiary. Experimenting with techniques will help you discover the most suitable method for your conditions. Always prioritize safety, especially when handling hot liquids and steam. Beekeeping is both an art and a craft, offering rewards not only in honey but also in the beautifully processed wax you produce.
