There are a few basic points to follow when melting as detailed below. Another point that you should note is that quality is not just based on how clean your beeswax is. Every time you melt beeswax you reduce the quality, so try to get it right the first time. For many of our uses we would prefer once melted beeswax with some bees in it and dross on the bottom, than the same beeswax which has been re-melted.

1. Don’t use any more heat than is necessary to do the job. Beeswax melts between 62 and 65 deg C, there should be no need to exceed 90 deg C
2. If melting over water, ensure that the water never boils as this will emulsify and stain the beeswax and lower its grade and value.
3. Never use live steam direct into beeswax as this will also emulsify it and downgrade it.
4. Melting and holding vessels are best made from stainless steel or heavy plastic. Steel, iron and galvanised vessels should never be used as they are attacked by the acidity of beeswax and this will discolour the beeswax.
5. Melted beeswax is best put into a holding tank with hot water in the bottom. This allows any fine dross and stain to settle out. Holding tanks are easily made by using a plastic drum with an outlet at the bottom and another wax outlet about 300 mm up from the bottom. Fill with hot water to just above the top outlet (the more water you have – the greater its ability to absorb stain) and add the molten beeswax and leave to settle until the correct pouring temperature (70 deg C approx) is reached, then lower the water level out the bottom tap while dribbling a small flow out the top tap. Once you have clean wax coming out the top tap lower the water a little more and close the bottom tap. Pouring of clean wax can commence out of the top tap. When finished add some hot water to the tank to run out the last of the wax into a mould with some water in the bottom and this will be the only block with dross on the bottom which can be cleaned off.