Mats asked if there was an efficient and cost effective way of separating
cappings wax from honey for an operation of 20-30 hives.  Yes, there is.
Here in the US a few companies used to offer such equipment, but now only
one company does, Kelley.  It costs about $250 and is a worthwhile
investment.  I will explain how it works as the Kelley machine is nothing
more than something that beekeepers used to make for themselves.

The principal is that honey changes to a liquid at a much lower temperature
than beeswax, so will flow away from the beeswax if given the chance.  Heat
needs to be applied indirectly so that the honey is not ruined and so that
the beeswax will not catch on fire!

Construct a 'double boiler' so that water is below that honey and wax and
the honey and wax is heated by the water rather than directly by the heat
source.  This 'double boiler' is called a melter.  The bottom of the
'boiler' should be flat so it can sit directly on the heat source if
necessary.  Better yet it to insert a immersion heater into the boiler, seal
it so it will not leak, and use a thermostat.  Above the 'boiler' should be
a container to hold the cappings.  This should be constructed so that it
slants to one direction.  The warm honey and hot wax will exit the container
here, and the exit should be covered by a screen of some kind.  Make the
screen removable for cleaning.

The warm honey and hot wax will flow to another container below the melter.
This container is called a wax separator and separates the wax from the
honey by taking advantage of their different melting points.  Make this from
a stainless or galvanized pail.  On one side, put a baffle that extends
about 3 inches into the pail, attaches to the inside pail wall, stops about
1" from the bottom of the pail and extends to the top of the pail. on the
pail wall  INSIDE the baffle, cut an opening and insert a plastic pipe (1"
opening is fine) to the outside.  This opening should be about 1/3rd from
the bottom of the pail, and at least 3" above the bottom of the pail.

How this all works is as follows:

1.  The cappings are put into the melter.  The water heats the bottom of the
cappings and the honey turns to liquid at about 120 degrees and runs out of
the melter through the screen.  Eventually, the wax will also turn to liquid
(at about 140 degrees) and will also run out and through the screen.
2.  The honey is first into the separator and very quickly cools to about
100 degrees (5 minutes or less).  It accumulates until it runs out of the
separator through the pipe.  This is excellent honey, not overheated, and
can be sold or consumed.
3.  Eventually, the wax in the cappings will also melt and run into the
separator.  In the separator it will sit on top of the 100 degree honey and
never get behind the baffle.  It  will quickly cool and be a nice yellow
color.  Depending on the size of your separator, one load might hold all the
wax from 20-30 hives.  I'd say two loads at the most.

Leave the wax and honey in the separator until the honey reaches room
temperature...several hours.  Then remove the cake of wax.  On the bottom
you will find some debris, most of which can be removed with a hive tool.
The remainder can be removed by melting the wax cake and running the hot wax
through a fine cloth.

Best of luck,
Lloyd
Lloyd Spear, Owner of Ross Rounds, manufacturer of comb honey equipment
for beekeepers and Sundance pollen traps.
http://www.rossrounds.com
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