Rendering Beeswax Again- How I Separate Slum

How to deal with cappings can grow into a problem as you grow your operation.
As you grow into triple digit hive numbers the stove top or solar wax melters don’t cut it anymore.
A good wax tank, or even a mediocre one like mine can really free up a lot of time and make the whole process faster and cleaner.
This video is showing some extra steps I take using my very simple 30 gal melter.
Major improvements to this tank would be a sloped bottom, a screen for slum, and another valve about 3-4 inches above and offset.
Thanks for watching.

[@beebob1279]

Build or get a stand to raise your bucket so it’s closer to the spout. Reduces the splashing of the wax.
I’m enjoying your videos.
The big operations show off their expensive equipment that us regular guys either can’t afford or don’t produce enough to justify purchasing. You use what we use.

[@russellkoopman3004]

Good video Gus. I as a hobbyist have evolved to a similar method using a tea strainer (small version of what you use) and I fasten a nylon stocking (ankle length) to a plastic canning funnel and dump the hot wax into a mold (glass bread pan). It makes some nice 2 lb blocks that are quite clean. I use a old large crock pot to heat the wax.
Thanks for the video.

[@keithfaithful3989]

Thanks I was worried hot wax would melt the paint strainers. That’s a great way to clean it up!

[@timoconnell790]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge! What wax melter are you using?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

It’s a 30gallon Mannlake tank, there are much better tanks available now like the Thorne one

[@lagrangebees]

Have you considered making yourself a screen? With some metal strips, minimal welding and some 1/8th hardware cloth you could have a custom made.

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

I have, just like so many other ideas I get, making them real can take time

[@no1slisteninganyway]

Thanks, Gus! That was interesting to see. Do you have to do anything to prevent the slum from clogging the spigot except scooping it out before draining the wax?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

Not really, it wants to settle out, so if I can keep it below the valve I’m good.
If not it will flow out. The bag will catch it but it leaves a lot of dark fines that go through. That’s why I started scooping with the spider.
Second rendering is much much cleaner.

[@donbearden1953]

Gus, good video! It looks like you have several blocks of wax stacked there already. How much does a 5 gallon bucket of wax weigh (average) once it hardens and you remove it from the bucket?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

Oh man Ild be guessing, never weighed it, maybe 40 lbs

[@flowerstreetfarmbees]

Thanks, Gus! I find that a heat gun can be a helpful tool when working with beeswax. Whatever do you do with all of your beeswax?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

I have a heat gun hanging by the tank, for heating up the valve elbow.
I sell it.
For my own use, I use it for waxing in foundation and coating plastic foundation.

[@michaelshelnutt3534]

How many times can you reuse the paint strainer?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

Depends on how much slum you let come through but 2-3

[@3Beehivesto300]

Does the bubble insulation make much of difference?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

Yes, a lot actually. Once to temp it doesn’t cut on and off nearly as much, and it will stay hot an impressively long time after you unplug it.
Great question, I should have brought that up, 👍

[@3Beehivesto300]

@@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529 is it common practice to use the wax melter as a honey bottling tank/ warmer for Decrystallizing?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

@@3Beehivesto300 I can’t say if its common or not. I don’t know of anyone that does.
But
It would be easy enough to do

[@glennsnaturalhoney4571]

What temperature do you run the melter?

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

About 170°

[@sherryroberts7716]

Bees have to fly 150,000 miles to generate one pound of wax. Please be considerate.

[@gusmitchellcranesnesthoney6529]

It’s precious stuff