It’s necessary to render beeswax before you use it to craft candles, skin care products, or balm, but it isn’t a difficult process and it doesn’t require any specialized equipment. Follow these directions to easily clean and process your harvested beeswax right at home in your Crockpot™ or slow cooker.
Rendering beeswax refers to the process of melting and cleaning beeswax by removing propolis, bee parts, and other debris, which is a required step before beeswax can be used for crafting balms, lotions, and candles. Rendering separates wax from honey and impurities, an essential step in preparing beeswax for further use.
So, how do you melt and render beeswax? You can melt wax using a double boiler or oven, but it’s simple to melt small amounts of beeswax in a slow cooker! Rendering beeswax is a simple process that you can complete at home. But, because beeswax is sticky and can stain or damage surfaces, you’ll want to ensure you have a prepared work surface and a dedicated slow cooker used only for melting your wax.
Using indirect heat, such as in a slow cooker, is an easy way to melt beeswax. You should never use direct heat, such as a microwave, because you risk the wax heating too quickly leading to messy, dangerous explosions of hot wax.
The melting point for beeswax is 145 degrees Fahrenheit, but discoloration may occur at temperatures greater than 185 degrees Fahrenheit. To ensure your wax melts properly, retains its color and beneficial properties, and does not combust, aim for temperatures between 155 to 175 degrees. A slow cooker allows you to maintain an even temperature without exceeding the suggested limits, making it a great choice for processing beeswax.
Before you get started melting and filtering your beeswax, gather a few wax-melting supplies, then follow the easy steps outlined below.
You’ll need:
Instructions:
You can remelt the wax if it needs further filtering or if you prefer to mold your wax to store it in smaller pieces. If you'd rather not use a slow cooker for the refining process, you may choose to use a double boiler, your oven on a very low temperature, or a solar wax melter.
Beeswax is a valuable product of the hive, and melting it at home is a simple process that only takes a few tools and supplies. Choose the method that works for you, then explore our resources section for inspiration about what to do with your wax.
Further Reading