Refining Beeswax

Derek refined our beeswax today to use in making more lip balm which you'll soon see on Etsy.  The process was more labor intensive than he anticipated, but he produced a gorgeous, bright yellow wax.

Materials Needed:

Double boiler

Water

Beeswax

Metal spoon

Tin foil or paper cups

Instructions:

1. Pour water into the bottom pan in the double boiler and set it on the stovetop. Place the top pan onto the bottom pan. Turn the burner on low.
2. Add the beeswax to the top pan. Allow the beeswax to melt slowly.
3. Scoop out any large pieces of debris from the beeswax as it melts, using a metal spoon. Do not use a plastic or rubber spoon that could melt. Discard debris.
4. Let the wax melt completely, continuing to scoop pieces of debris from the wax. Do not stir the wax.
5. Pour the melted wax onto the tin foil or into the paper cups once it has melted completely and is as free of debris as possible.
6. Let the wax cool inside the cups. Peel the cups away from the wax.
7. Identify the bottom part of the hard wax pieces you have made, which will have collected the remaining debris. Pull the debris out of the hard wax with your fingers.
8. Repeat Steps 1 through 7 until you have clean, clear strips/blocks of wax.