RENDERING BEESWAX

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23019, 22 April 1938, Page 16

RENDERING BEESWAX

AVOIDING DAMAGE RISKS » nv HON" KB KB * There is need for the exercise of extreme care on the part of the apiarist when rendering beeswax. This product has special properties which fit it for use in certain important scientific operations and work for which other waxes have proved much inferior. Wax rendered by boiling the combs in water is inferior to that melted by dry heat, as in an electric oven. When the wax is boiled it becomes emulsified with the water, absorbing up to 20 per cent of water, which seriously affects its _ tensile strength. Steam-melting equipment also causes emulsification. Prolonged and high heat causes definite deterioration of beeswax, and lengthy boiling incorporates a considerable quantity of impurities in the wax. The boiling of combs in a copper was a common method of rendering down beeswax. The resultant wax was poor in quality—emulsified, and permeated with foreign matter. Steam presses, which followed, were more efficient and economical, and there was a much less degree of emulsification and contamination, although the quality of the wax suffered severely. The most efficient of all equipment for rendering wax is the electric capping meltor —a form of oven which, by a regulated and steady gradually warms the comb and cappings until they soften, and then melt, the wax running out into moulds after being subjected to the minimum amount of heat. The electric capping melter is, however, too expensive for the smaller beekeeper, who usually relies on a steam —or hot water—jacketed melter.