Beeswax from a honey jar

[jbwilliams3]

In my mom’s basement, I found a large jar of honey that contains the comb.

I thought I could extract the comb and use the wax for projects (hey, anything I don’t have to pay for sounds like a good idea to me).

How do I go about doing that?

 

[rafterob]

1) Remove lid from jar. 2) place jar in a pot of near boiling water and leave it until wax is melted. You may have to replenish water as it evaporates. Wax will float on top. When cooled down remove wax from honey and rinse with warm water. That comb melts down into a small amount of wax so don't get too excited about all the projects you're going to use it for.

 

[docjim]

If you want beeswax you might check with a local beekeeper. Ask local county agent if you cant find a local honey supplier.
Many of the beekeepers will give you beeswax as it is a byproduct without much market. I have been given a bunch over the years, of course he may be more willing if you buy a bit of honey at the time...
however, you will get wax that needs to be melted & cleaned, so the post above will come in handy.
DOC

 

[jbwilliams3]

Yeah, I have some that I got from a beekeeper right before Christmas. I'm pretty resourceful (or cheap, depending on who's talking) so even just a little bit is fine by me. Especially if it's free.

Do I need to worry about getting the water so hot that it breaks the glass?

 

[paulvallandigham]

First, drain the honey from the comb. This can take many hours, if you are only using gravity.

Then use a double boiler arrangement. A small pan, in a larger one with water in the big pan will do the job. put the comb in the smaller pan, and heat it up until it melts.( Keep the temperature low so you don't burn the honey). The wax should float above any honey that remains.

I would melt the wax completely, to separate all the wax from all the remaining honey, and then let the small pan and wax cool to room temp. OR, Put it in your freezer if you have the space. That cools down the wax in about an hour. That will separate 95% of the wax from the remaining honey which you can then remove with a butter knife.

Now, remelt the wax, and blend it with whatever oil you want to make a lube.