galvanized (steel) tank for hot (wax+rosin) dipping

[Dane Bramage]

Greetings all,

I'm near set to do some hot wax (palm) & rosin (Brazilian) dipping of my woodenware.  I've all my supplies except the tank.  I've a line on a galvanized steel tank that could serve but I'm unsure if the galvanizing (zinc) leaching would be an issue.  I'm uncertain on both the degree of leaching and toxicity, if any, it would present to the hives.  I'm also checking with steel-fab/welding shops to see what it might cost to just get one custom made to spec. (avoid the galvanized issue altogether).

Thanks in advance for any info.

Cheers,
Dane

[Michael Bush]

My guess is there will be some leaching as beeswax seems to discolor when it's in anything but stainless steel.  But my tank is just Iron and I'm sure it leaches too.  You're not going to eat the wax, so a little zinc probably won't matter.