Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Intheswamp on July 23, 2012, 02:13:30 am
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I want to build a pan long enough to put frames in for solar wax melting. I've got some galvanized metal I can use or I could get some flashing material. I've got some 26# painted metal roofing that I could work with, but I'm not sure about it and the temperatures inside the wax melter. Seems I've read somewhere to stay away from uncoated iron/steel, that it will discolor the wax. What about galvanized metal, will it discolor the wax? Any suggestions? I've thought of a cookie sheet, but I don't think I've seen one long enough.
Thanks,
Ed
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No galvanized steel...
"Dark colored beeswax has either been inadequately cleaned or has been processed in unsuitable containers made of iron, copper, brass, nickel, zinc (galvanized steel) or their alloys."
http://www.santafecandle.com/learn/beeswax/beeswax.htm (http://www.santafecandle.com/learn/beeswax/beeswax.htm)
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Thanks for the info!!!!!
Ed
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Hmm, what about the thin cooking tins like what some rolls come in or what some caterers use for large amounts of food, most seems like heavy-duty tin foil???
Ed
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I use to have a galvanized sheet metal pan in my solar wax melter and did not have any problems that I could tell. Am using a smaller SS pan now but is too small. It did not say anything about aluminum, the big box stores carry some 20" wide flashing that could be formed into a pan.
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I tried the 20" flashing in mine. Just bending it caused it to break and I wound up with wax all over the place. I just use aluminum foil now.
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What I'm wanting it for is for a tilted drain board. Put the comb/frames on top of it, let it run off into a container below. Incorporate a strainer/filter in between.
I don't think the aluminum foil will work for what I want to do BUT I could cover the galvanized metal with it. Not a perfect solution, though. I wonder if the paint on the metal roofing that I have would hold up to the sustained temperatures?
BTW, I've been thinking along the lines of a solar oven (which I've built before) and recently read that you shouldn't heat the wax over 185F or discoloration may occur. I guess I don't need the melter to be *too* efficient. :-\
G3, I've thought about the flashing...I've got a roll around here somewhere, I may have to try it. I like the rigidity of the galvanized metal better, though.
What about the disposable tin roasting/baking pans? That might be an answer.
Ed
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I can't find the roasting pans any bigger than the SS cooking pan I have.
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(http://s9.postimage.org/gsdap2ncr/100_2755.jpg) (http://postimage.org/image/gsdap2ncr/)
Mine is not finished yet, still need to make the pan (can't find the old one from my first wax melter), and want to make it deeper also.
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I have melted wax in a galvanized tray before with no problems.
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I use disposable cooking pans in mine. They are too small but I have put 2 of them together. I bought a roll of 24" aluminum flashing that I use for the cover and oil pan. I plan to use it to make a pan for my solar wax melter.
Jim
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Short term I doubt the galvanized would be an issue but remember honey is acidic. Acids and most metals don't mix. Since honey is mildly acidic immediate bad reactions aren't going to happen but long term, as in years, expect to lose the zinc coating and have the base steel turn red. I would expect aluminum to eventually pit but I doubt it would be an issue unless you're processing enough wax that you would be better off with a melter.
BTW, this is also the reason you should not extract into galvanized containers. The corroded zinc will give a bitter taste to honey.
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These are pictures of my solar wax melter. You can't really tell but it is designed so the top tray is tilted and the bottom tray is level. Its made to sit on my roof so the bottom tray looks tilted when its on the floor.
(http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg634/nietssemaj/Bees/Solar%20Wax%20Melter/f4fd8e25.jpg)
(http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg634/nietssemaj/Bees/Solar%20Wax%20Melter/ad83acb3.jpg)
(http://i1247.photobucket.com/albums/gg634/nietssemaj/Bees/Solar%20Wax%20Melter/ff103a2b.jpg)