The beeswax you purchase at Beeswax from Beekeepers is 100% natural beeswax. I would like to say that every single lb of beeswax will be the exact same color, but that is not possible because of the nature of beeswax. Some will be a little bit darker, others a little lighter in color. In general the beeswax will be a "golden yellow," and have an awesome aroma that words can't describe. Bees wax will also get what is called 'bloom' which is a fine white film coating on the beeswax. Simply buff with a soft cloth or use a hair dryer on low.
This is our biggest seller. Filtered beeswax has been filtered once through several layers of nylon material as it
comes directly from the beeswax melter. The nylon will filter out
all the dead bees from the beeswax, but there will be a fine
sediment or residue that sinks to the bottom of the chunk. The
beeswax will then be poured into bread pans/cake pans for an easy to use size
(varying from 1-4 lbs). In this photo the top block has been tipped
upside down to show the slight discoloration of the residue on the bottom.
Filtered beeswax is a good choice for making candles.
Filtered Beeswax.....2.5 lbs = $16.50 - shipping and handling included
Filtered Beeswax..3-12 lbs= $5.00/lb -PLUS FLAT RATE SHIPPING OF $9.80 ANYWHERE IN THE USA
Filtered Beeswax..12 lb block = $64.00 shipping included
The bulk beeswax is for purchases of 22 pound blocks. The blocks are generally 22-24lbs each. Bulk Beeswax.....over 44 lbs $4.00/lb plus actual shipping and handling
This is a
wonderful picture of what beeswax looks like in sunshine:: it
just glows.
The directions I give for filtering beeswax can be modified to what you have available. Supplies needed:
Double Boiler--I use a canner kettle and 5 gallon plastic pail, or a metal pail. You can also use a smaller pan with a large coffee can. The major thing to remember is not to heat the beeswax directly.
2 Pails--plastic or metal; 1 for melting the beeswax in and 1 for filtering the beeswax into.
Metal plate with holes--Again you can use what you have around the house: a couple of old knives, canning rings--something to keep your container of beeswax OFF the bottom of the canner kettle so the water can circulate underneath. (very important if you are using a plastic pail)
Wire basket--you use this to hold your filter material. I use an old french fryer type basket. You don't want to use a colander because it has too small of holes.
Filter material--sweatshirt material, cheesecloth, shear nylon curtain fabric, I prefer the sweatshirt material since it filters out more than anything else, but if you have some old shear curtains fold them so you have 3-4 layers and they will filter just fine.
1. Put your beeswax into your pail.
2. Put your pail of beeswax into your canner kettle. Be sure there is something under tha pail.
3. Fill the canner kettle with water.
4. Bring the water to a boil and then turn down on medium so it is barely a gentle boil. If you are doing a 20 lb chunk it may very well take 2-3 hours or more to melt completely. If you're using a metal pail it will melt quicker.
5. It works much better if you melt it completely before filtering.
6. Lay your filter material into your wire basket and pour the hot beeswax through the filter material into your second pail. DO NOT have filter material pulled tight or the hot wax will 'bounce' off and make a major mess (I know from past experience). Pour it slowly so you don't stir up all the sediment that is on the bottom of your pail. You need to also pour it steadily--if you stop pouring, the beeswax starts to set up and the filter gets blocked. If your wax is hot enough you can continue to pour and it will melt what has started to set up, but sometimes it doesn't. There are also times that I make sure I have several filter pieces available to use; especially if I am doing a large quantity. When you get close to finishing you will easily be able to see when the sediment starts to be poured. At this point I usually filter the last part into a separate container.
7. The beeswax should be ready to use or you may want to pour it into some type of smaller mold for later use. (bread pans) With pouring into molds I will wipe the mold first with a little bit of dishsoap on a paper towel so the beeswax doesn't stick.