Solar Wax Melter
Lexikon
The solar wax melter is a flat box covered with glass or twin-wall panels, in which comb remnants and cappings wax melt using only the heat of the sun.
The solar wax melter is a flat box covered with glass or twin-wall panels, in which comb remnants and cappings wax melt using only the heat of the sun. The liquid wax runs through a sieve into a tray and solidifies there into a block.
Its advantage lies less in the yield than in the ongoing processing. Because the accumulating comb material is processed immediately, no breeding sites for wax moths and no mold develop, which is especially helpful with cut-out drone brood. Operation costs nothing.
The yield, however, is usually low, because wax remains caught in the cocoon residue. The remaining residue is usually melted wet once more and pressed. With reflectors, collectors and good insulation, temperatures above 120 degrees are achievable, though this makes handling more involved.
The solar wax melter is suitable for cappings wax, wild comb and drone frames. It is unsuitable for whole boxes of old brood comb, for which steam wax melters or wet melting with a press are used instead.