WAX STEAMING TODAY

Thursday was a clean-up day. A couple of dozen brood frames passed through the wax steamer, yielding a couple of kilos of good if dark propolis tinted wax. Unlike the honey/pollen stained yellow variety that most people are familiar with, brood wax is much darker and less sought after – except by carpenters who have used it to stain wood and create varnishes for centuries. With a little patience and several filtrations (through fine cloth), it is possible to lighten this type of wax. Although not as popular, the darker brood wax does make wonderful earthy beeswax scented candles for the officianado.

Note also the large quantity of rather gross cocoon cases left behind once the wax melted away.

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