Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1897-10-07
Rendering Beeswax

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Rendering Beeswax
Many who have only a few bees and
do not own a wax extractor, says the
Busy Bee. miss one Of the sources OF
profit in bee keeping by not saving the
odd bits of comb and the old combs
that are no longer Of any use to the
bees. Have a receptacle into which all
may be thrown until the end OF the
season. or until there is sufficient to
make good sized cake OF wax. Some
day when you have fire in your cook
stove, and will not have use for the
oven. tie these pieces Of comb up IN
an old cotton cloth. Place in the oven
a tin or granite iron pan with about
an inch of water in it; lay two slender
sticks across the pan, and on them the
cloth containing the combs, in such
way that it will not dip down into the
pan, nor drip outside into the bottom
of the oven; shut the door and go about
your work. Take a look at it occas-
ionally to see that all is going we'll.
The temperature of the oven should be
moderate. If the water boils, it is too
hot. Regulate the fire or hampers, or
leave the door open little way. The
heat should not be great enough to
scorch the sticks or cloth. When the
wax seems to be all dripped into tho
pan, remove the sticks and cloth. II
possible. let the fire die out. shut the
oven and leave the pan of wax to cool
in the oven. This will insure slow
and even cooling of the wax, and will
allow the dirt that may have filtered
through the cloth to settle into the
water in the bottom of the pan. But
If the fire is used for other purposes,
remove the pan carefully and steadily,
cover with tin pot cover, or anything
that will lie closely over it, but will
not touch the wax; then place over all
an old blanket or quilt. folded several
times, and tucked closely around the
pan, to prevent the heat from escaping
too fast. On this, more than any one
thing, depends the quality and appear
ance of your wax. If it cools too rap
idly, the particles of dirt, propolis, and
honey will be caught in the mass, CIV
ing it sticky feel and notified ap-
pearance. If the surface hardens too
quickly it will crack and open as the
inside cools. Do not uncover until the
pan is no warmer than your hand.
When the cake is thoroughly cooled, 1t
will loosen from the pan easily, but If
you attempt to get it out before, even
though the wax seems hardened, you
will not only have your trouble for
your pains, but you will realize as
never before. what it means to stick
as tight as beeswax." Scrape off with
a case knife whatever settings are on
the bottom of the cake, and you
should have clean, clear, smooth cake
that will bring the highest price in the
market. If, for any reason, the wax
is not satisfactory, the cake can ba
broken up, tied in clean cloth, and put
through the same process again. IT 1t
is desired to make small cakes, pour
from the pan while hot. into cups or
metal molds and cover closely. Here
are few don'ts to hang on the walls
of your memory when rendering wax:
Don't allow the wax to come in con-
tact with iron, as it will blacken the
wax.
Don't grease the moulds. 1t is not
necessary, and Injuries the appearance
of the wax.
Don't move the molds before the wax
cools. The wax that Stops on the sides
will harden there and give the cakes a
1oaL m tho o6pQa
Don't let the wax boil. This tends to
make it brittle and GRUMPY.
Don't spill any melted wax on the
floor. If you do you will be sorry.
Don't spend precious time trying to
scrape and scour off any wax that may
stick to the pan, but take it out of
doors, away from the fire, and apply a
little gasoline. 1t acts as a certain
brand of pills are said to act on weak
stomach-like magic.
Don't rush off to town and sell it to
the first bidder. Begin now to watch
the market reports. The price of wax
fluctuates with the change of seasons,
and you can soon learn what time OF
the year is the highest. Then sell.
These directions are for those who
have only few pounds of wax to be
rendered. A large quantity would, Of
course, have to be handled differently,
but for small lots prefer this method
to any have ever tried.