How to Filter Beeswax (the Easy Way!)
Wondering how to filter beeswax at home? If your local beekeeper doesn't adequately filter their beeswax before you buy it, you may need to do it 1-2 more times on your own. Don't worry! This isn't a difficult process. I enjoy doing this to make smaller blocks of wax and even my own pellets so it is easier to work with on future projects!
Equipment
- Crockpot.
- Ladle
- Mesh strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Scissors
- Potholder
- Large bowl
- Silicone trivet and/or molds
- Baking sheet.
- Optional: parchment paper
Ingredients
- Beeswax
Instructions
- Lay your beeswax block or bars in the bottom of a crockpot. Place the lid on and set it to high.
- As it melts, prepare a mesh strainer over a glass bowl or a pot. Line the strainer with cheesecloth. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and your silicone molds of choice.
- Check on your wax periodically as the time will vary based on the size and amount of wax in the crockpot.
- Use your ladle to carefully pour your beeswax through the cheesecloth-lined mesh strainer.
- Repeat if necessary. (Check the wax for any debris. If you see little brown/black specks, do it again!)
- Carefully pour your beeswax into your molds of choice. Use a bench scraper to spread the wax across the molds and fill the spaces.
- Allow it to harden overnight, store in air-tight containers or glass jars, and then it is ready for use! Any excess wax that gets on your parchment paper can be stored in air-tight containers for use as well or you can melt it down again to pour it back into the mold(s.)
Notes
- Be very careful when working with hot beeswax to avoid burns.
- Any excess wax that gets on your parchment paper can be stored in air-tight containers for use as well or you can melt it down again to pour it back into the mold(s.)
- Scrape the tops of the molds/trivets with a bench scraper to spread it and to even off the tops.
- Be very careful when working with hot beeswax to avoid burns.
- Any excess wax that gets on your parchment paper can be stored in air-tight containers for use as well or you can melt it down again to pour it back into the mold(s.)
- Scrape the tops of the molds/trivets with a bench scraper to spread it and to even off the tops.
- The crockpot: I warm it again by turning it back on, allowing it to melt the wax a little, and I use a paper towel to soak up what’s left. Be careful, the crockpot and wax will be hot!
- The tools: Your bench scraper, strainer, and ladle probably have hard was on them. I clean mine by filling a bowl with hot water and letting them sit in it then I scrape it off with a butter knife and/or wipe it with a paper towel. Be careful working with hot water!
- The bowl: Use a microwave or the oven at 200°F to warm the bowl, melt the wax a bit, and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Be careful, the bowl and wax will be hot!