From: "Almer's Apiary" "insulating window glass".   It consists of two 1/8
inch thick clear (in my case) glass  panels spaced 1 inch apart, sealed all
around and the space between the
> glass is filled with inert gas (no more trapped moisture).   I paid $50
for
> a 21 x 37 inch panel"

This sounds like the 'double glazed units' now flooding UK, usually set in
plastic frames. The problem with solar wax melters in UK is they only work
well in July/August, which is NOT when I want to melt old combs. So they are
only supplementary.  In that case, spending a lot - such as n a new glazed
unit - is uneconomic. However, these windows are fitted by specialist firms
who are always removing old units, which they dump in their waste skips. I
now have 4 units (being a natural squirrel)  - waiting for inspiration on
future use.

As the UK problem is the intermittance of sunlight as the power source, why
is it not common practice to make solars with 'dual fuel', by adding
electric heating thru simply light bulbs? Is it beause solars are in fact
pretty inefficent whatever u do?

The (possible) inefficency may come from using dry heat - the melted wax
then sinks into the dry cocoons and recovery of free flowing wax is reduced.
The results I have seen here indicate u can get dry dross finally with
little wax in it if u leave the combs a long time, like a full week of sun -
but that incurs the penalty of slow throughput.  Steam seems to work both
fast and efficently - fast like 5 minutes or less, efficient because while
the comb heats up steam condenses on the cocoons , filling the fibres with
water so that they then do not absorb melted wax.

The problemn for the UK obbyist is what equipment is economic compared with
the value of wax recovered.  Putting rough figures to it,   say the complete
set of brood combs is changed annually (which avoids any build up of brood
disease to clinical levels, minimises drone cells so inhibits varroa, and
provides unlimited laying space not peppered with old pollen)  u have say 9
deep frames per colony a year.  New foundation costs 0.85GBP  per sheet but
only 0.18GBP if wax is returned to the suppliers - so a possible saving of 6
GBP per colony. However, only about 80% of wax is recoverable from old brood
frames so say 5GBP per colony per year.   (You have to cap  up with a little
cappings wax).

To recover wax by steam in autumn, I have tried:
A.  a deep s/s  stockpot (10GBP) with a shallow collander lying in the rim
( 3GBP), and a small plastic bowl floating in the boiling water underneath
(Total = 14GBP).  Disadvantage: small capacity of collander = 1 deep comb
per filling,  difficulty of getting receiving bowl out without burning
fingers.
B.  a 3-tier vegetable steamer (15GBP ) - comb in top, receiving bowl in
middle section, water in bottom.  Better, in that if middle section is
lowered into a bowl of water the receiving bowl floats up and can be handled
safely. A large catering size steamer would give good capacity but cost a
lot more - and for some reason does not seem available locally here.
C. a 'pasta' steamer - consists of a deep s/s pan with a collander inside
3/4 depth plus a second collander inside that to 1/4 depth.  Allows two
modes of action:  (1) small bits are put in top collander and steamed so wax
drops into receiving bowl in deep collander - removed by immersing in water
so bowl floats up; (2) old combs are put in deep collander and boiled to a
mush (4-5 combs at a time) taking say 5 minutes max, then a 'splash cover'
(fine metal mesh in a circular rim, made to sit over a frying pan and stop
fat spitting) is pushed down (u can buy just the right size, but have to cut
the handle off) , forcing the mush below the water and letting the wax float
up. The outer section of a cake mould (a deep ring of tin, no bottom) is put
in to hold the splash cover (effectively, the strainer) down while the
wax/water is poured out into a bucket to cool. The collander is then taken
out to tip out the residual mush and u start again.  It sounds a long
process but can be done with your brain set on automatic.  My preferred
method as the capacity is reasonable and the dual mode deals with both
complete combs in autumn and wax trimmings during the summer. But a 'pasta
steamer' is 45GBP even in the local market. Umm!   Needs 9 hive-years to get
the money back, counting labour at zero!

I can do carpentry but not metal work.  Has anyone found a better way to use
standard household items efficently for this messy task?

Since steam works seems to work better in separating wax from old cocoons,
the next experiment might be to add steam to a solar.  In UK u can buy a
1.2KW steam wallpaper stripper for 22GBP with a flexible hose. Would this
work if simply plugged into a well insulated solar that was big enough to
hold say 10 complete frames?
How does 1.2KW compare with the solar gain needed to melt old combs?
Alternative 2KW models are available @ 29GBP.

Robin Dartington.






so a call can get Anyone trying here
>
> This panel is really easy to clean.   It is heavy enough to force a good
air
> seal yet light enough to handle.   I added a wood cleat across the bottom
> end to prevent it slipping off when I move the "wheelbarrow melter".    I
> have used this melter for a lot of years and this is the best solution I
> have arrived at.
>
> I think the secret is to tell your glass dealer what you need and let him
> tell you what to use.
>
> Bob Fanning
> Huntsville, AL USA
>
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> -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
> ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

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-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
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