Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: JanO on January 26, 2014, 01:16:02 pm

Title: Plastic frames
Post by: JanO on January 26, 2014, 01:16:02 pm
I have a bunch of used plastic frames/foundation that came with some boxes I recently purchased.  Is there any way to effectively clean them up so they can be used again?  Is it worth the trouble?
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: tefer2 on January 26, 2014, 01:26:05 pm
For me, not knowing the condition of the bees that used them is a big risk.
Frames are cheap enough to purchase new and not wonder.
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: edward on January 26, 2014, 03:06:58 pm
Scrape of what you can then use a pressure washer on them.

It gets messy



mvh Edward  :-P
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: Vance G on January 26, 2014, 04:40:33 pm
If the frames are dark brood comb you might follow edvards advice and clean them.  If they are not broodcomb and are light colored, I would use them ,as is, personally. 
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: edward on January 26, 2014, 04:49:41 pm
Nasty brood frames

A friend lets them soak in water and dish washing liquid for a day or two

An other washes them in a second hand dish washer.

mvh Edward  :-P
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: JanO on January 26, 2014, 05:05:24 pm
Thanks for the replies.  I prefer wood and wax, and would normally not have anything to do with plastic frames, but I hate to toss them.  I'll clean them the best I can, then take the pressure washer to them and see what happens.  Maybe they could be useful in a trap or something. 
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: edward on January 26, 2014, 05:23:09 pm
Another beekeeper uses a pressure washer that heats the water also, haven't see it beeing done I'm planning a visit when he does to get a look at how well it works.

They are expensive to buy or hire so maybee a Group of us will buy one if it seems like a good ideea.


The greatest benefit with plastic is in the extracting room , they are more stable and faster to extract from. Also you can have control of where your wax is coming from.


mvh Edward  :-P
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: ugcheleuce on January 26, 2014, 05:26:20 pm
I have a bunch of used plastic frames/foundation that came with some boxes I recently purchased.  Is there any way to effectively clean them up so they can be used again?

I wonder if deep-freezing them for 24-36 hours will make the propolis easier to remove.  Since they're plastic, you can't put them in the oven to kill diseases, but freezing does kill some stuff, doesn't it?  If you want to get rid of all the wax, too, then I think you can just scrape most of it off and then google for "solvent+dissolve+beeswax".  Simply spraying it with a pressure hose might remove the visible stuff, but what about the diseases and stuff?

Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: edward on January 26, 2014, 06:21:04 pm
freezing might get bugs and insects, beetles and such.

Nosema dies at just under 60oC for 24 hr.

AFB and EFB need 120oC if memory serves me right and then beecomes encapsulated in the wax, but burning it all is a better option.

mvh Edward  :-P
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: rdy-b on January 30, 2014, 04:42:39 am
give them to the next newbee at the nex :lol: bee meeting-- ;)
Title: Re: Plastic frames
Post by: MikeTheBeekeeper on February 01, 2014, 01:59:45 pm
Freeze them for a day and they should be fine.