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Author Topic: Metals and wax processing...  (Read 4901 times)

Offline Intheswamp

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Metals and wax processing...
« on: July 23, 2012, 02:13:30 am »
I want to build a pan long enough to put frames in for solar wax melting.  I've got some galvanized metal I can use or I could get some flashing material.  I've got some 26# painted metal roofing that I could work with, but I'm not sure about it and the temperatures inside the wax melter.  Seems I've read somewhere to stay away from uncoated iron/steel, that it will discolor the wax.  What about galvanized metal, will it discolor the wax?  Any suggestions?  I've thought of a cookie sheet, but I don't think I've seen one long enough.

Thanks,
Ed
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Offline nietssemaj

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #1 on: July 23, 2012, 06:04:50 am »
No galvanized steel...

"Dark colored beeswax has either been inadequately cleaned or has been processed in unsuitable containers made of iron, copper, brass, nickel, zinc (galvanized steel) or their alloys."

http://www.santafecandle.com/learn/beeswax/beeswax.htm

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #2 on: July 23, 2012, 09:40:30 am »
Thanks for the info!!!!!

Ed
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American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #3 on: July 23, 2012, 09:53:29 am »
Hmm, what about the thin cooking tins like what some rolls come in or what some caterers use for large amounts of food, most seems like heavy-duty tin foil???

Ed
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American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Offline G3farms

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #4 on: July 23, 2012, 12:29:03 pm »
I use to have a galvanized sheet metal pan in my solar wax melter and did not have any problems that I could tell. Am using a smaller SS pan now but is too small. It did not say anything about aluminum, the big box stores carry some 20" wide flashing that could be formed into a pan.
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Offline nietssemaj

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #5 on: July 23, 2012, 12:41:11 pm »
I tried the 20" flashing in mine. Just bending it caused it to break and I wound up with wax all over the place. I just use aluminum foil now.

Offline Intheswamp

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #6 on: July 23, 2012, 12:53:17 pm »
What I'm wanting it for is for a tilted drain board.  Put the comb/frames on top of it, let it run off into a container below.  Incorporate a strainer/filter in between.

I don't think the aluminum foil will work for what I want to do BUT I could cover the galvanized metal with it.  Not a perfect solution, though.  I wonder if the paint on the metal roofing that I have would hold up to the sustained temperatures?

BTW, I've been thinking along the lines of a solar oven (which I've built before) and recently read that you shouldn't heat the wax over 185F or discoloration may occur.  I guess I don't need the melter to be *too* efficient.  :-\

G3, I've thought about the flashing...I've got a roll around here somewhere, I may have to try it.  I like the rigidity of the galvanized metal better, though.

What about the disposable tin roasting/baking pans? That might be an answer.

Ed
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American blood spilled to protect the freedom and peace of people all over the world.  320,000 USA casualties in WWI, 1,076,000 USA casualties in WWII, 128,000 USA casualties in the Korean War, 211,000 casualties in the Vietnam "conflict", 57,000 USA casualties in "War on Terror".  Benghazi, Libya, 13 USA casualties. These figures don't include 70,000 MIA.  But, the leaders of one political party of the United States of America continue to make the statement..."What difference does it make?".

"We can't expect the American People to jump from Capitalism to Communism, but we can assist their elected leaders in giving them small doses of Socialism, until they awaken one day to find that they have Communism."..."The press is our chief ideological weapon." - Nikita Khrushchev

"Always go to other people’s funerals, otherwise they wont come to yours." - Yogi Berra

Offline G3farms

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #7 on: July 23, 2012, 01:09:44 pm »
I can't find the roasting pans any bigger than the SS cooking pan I have.
those hot bees will have you steppin and a fetchin like your heads on fire and your keister is a catchin!!!

Bees will be bees and do as they please!

Offline G3farms

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2012, 01:13:02 pm »



Mine is not finished yet, still need to make the pan (can't find the old one from my first wax melter), and want to make it deeper also.
those hot bees will have you steppin and a fetchin like your heads on fire and your keister is a catchin!!!

Bees will be bees and do as they please!

Offline AllenF

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #9 on: July 23, 2012, 10:17:03 pm »
I have melted wax in a galvanized tray before with no problems.   

Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #10 on: July 23, 2012, 11:12:57 pm »
I use disposable cooking pans in mine. They are too small but I have put 2 of them together. I bought a roll of 24" aluminum flashing that I use for the cover and oil pan. I plan to use it to make a pan for my solar wax melter.
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Offline David McLeod

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #11 on: July 24, 2012, 10:20:46 am »
Short term I doubt the galvanized would be an issue but remember honey is acidic. Acids and most metals don't mix. Since honey is mildly acidic immediate bad reactions aren't going to happen but long term, as in years, expect to lose the zinc coating and have the base steel turn red. I would expect aluminum to eventually pit but I doubt it would be an issue unless you're processing enough wax that you would be better off with a melter.
BTW, this is also the reason you should not extract into galvanized containers. The corroded zinc will give a bitter taste to honey.
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Offline nietssemaj

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Re: Metals and wax processing...
« Reply #12 on: July 24, 2012, 02:45:14 pm »
These are pictures of my solar wax melter. You can't really tell but it is designed so the top tray is tilted and the bottom tray is level. Its made to sit on my roof so the bottom tray looks tilted when its on the floor.






 

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