Filtering & Cleaning your Beeswax

My previous blogs show that I love beeswax! and of course beeswax candles. But have you ever had a batch that just won't burn? (flame in rear of photo). You'd never buy a batch like that from us, but if a friend hands you some it just could be a 'no-burn' wax, read on..

We recommend you test a batch before before you start making your candles.

Dig a hole with a skewer and pop in a piece of wick:

• Does it burn with a strong flame? (flame in front)
• Does it burn for hours?

If not, and the flame is struggling then you need to FIX the wax.

• Use the double saucepan method to safely melt the wax
• Add water into the wax pot, about 1/3
• Melt the wax at a high simmer
• Stir the water through the melted wax - this will dissolve any honey and nectar still in the wax - you will be surprised how coloured the water will be with dissolved 'pollutants'
• You could even repeat this with a second wash - take the top wax off and filter it into the second pot through a cloth (good quality "T" shirt) and stocking filter
• Take the wax off the top and filter it into your final moulding or container.

The filtering needs to be fine. In the second photo you can see the fine material that has moved into the wick and choked it. No wax can move up the wick to the flame.

We were shocked the first time we tested wax that did not burn. A few customers had told me of their plight with wax directly from the hive. We were quite astonished to stumble on a batch ourselves. It looked clean and absolutely gorgeous with a strong gold colour that is so admired by candle makers. There was no indication of the fine black particles held in suspension or the presence of the honey and pollen.