>I have an electric knife/scraper that looks more like some type of cheese
>knife.  It works fine for the first 3 frames, then becomes completely sticky
>and the wax/honey begin to burn, creating a carbon crust all over it.  The
>crust is a great insulator, and the knife can never get quite hot enough to
>to a good job afterwards.  What do BWE (beekeepers with experience) suggest
>I do? I have 5 hives, a small operation.  I'm not willing to spend millions
>on new fancy equipment.  Is there a better way to use the same knife, or are
>there better tools?  Is a steam knife better?
>
>Marc Patry
>Near Ottawa, Ontario, where the trees are now exploding with wonderful fall
>colours like slow motion fireworks.
>
 
   I also have a very small operation (two hives), and have found
that putting a large pot of hot water on an electric eye and
keeping two or three large bread knives in it works well. After
you've uncapped a couple of frames with one knife, return it
to the hot water and proceed with one of the other ones. This
always allows one or two knives to be hot while working with
the other.
 
   Jeeef