We think this new steam extractor will be a winner. Especially as the ‘messy’ bit can be outside in the open.
An electric steam generator (4 litre capacity, 1800W. cable length is 3m) is attached to a steel cover via a steam hose (3m in length). This cover fits snugly over a National brood box (not supplied). The steel tray and grid are placed on a standard floor (not supplied) and the wooden eke placed on top of the floor. Place a suitable receptacle next to the outlet eg old bucket feeder or ice cream container. Switch on the steam generator and wait.
After about 20 minutes wax and water will run out of the front of the hive. Leave to settle and cool. The wax will float on top of the water produced by the condensed steam.
Switch off generator and carefully remove steel cover. In the hive you will find completely empty frames apart from some cocoon that has lodged on the frame bottom bars and of course the wire from the foundation.. The majority of the cocoon will be on the mesh base and can be discarded. The frames are totally free of wax, all that remains is the propolis. The Easi-steam has not only extracted the wax from the old comb (approx. 90% by our calculations) but it has also sterilised the frames and the brood box. Temperature reached in the brood box using this method is approx. 105C.
The beekeeper can use a different floor and brood box every time this process is used or have dedicated equipment for the application.
NB Plastic runners will melt if left in place.
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