Steam beeswax extraction

Steam Wax Extraction Re the article by Paul Yates in the Winter 2020 Welsh Beekeeper magazine, the pictures show my Thorne’s Easysteam. The WBKA article shows how to make a low cost copy of the Easysteam, using two timber beehive floors and a steam wallpaper stripper.  Well worth making if you have a lot of old combs to reclaim.

Thornes Easysteam £107.10

Oypla steam wallpaper (as used on the Easysteam) £31.99  Click here

This steamer is supplied with a boil-dry protector, ie. it switches off when the water tank has emptied, after about an hour of boiling.  This is long enough to steam a box of brood or super combs.

Two timber hive floors. I assume you already have these or can make them.

My Easysteam is shown standing on an old metal hive stand.

Operating the steamer
Work outdoors.  You must wear work gloves, safety goggles, boots and your oldest clothes!

Scrape the frames clean while they are still hot.  You will be surprised how much wax can be recovered from a brood box of old combs.  The wax is not candlemaking quality (in my experience).
Running costs are about 40p per steaming.

Also, see our website page Preparing beeswax for sale

We’d love to hear your comments!
Email peterhoney914@gmail.com