If you keep a small apiary, then you will definitely need a wax refinery. In order to process a small amount of wax, it is not necessary to spend money on the purchase of a new device. You can independently make a wax refinery from the washing machine.
A homemade device will perfectly cope with the processing of waxes, cut frames or growths from the walls of the hives.
Pros and cons of homemade
The advantages of making a steam wax refinery are that you can use any old washing machine. Most often, Soviet-made machines are used - their thick, durable drums are great for making the device.
Moreover, you will save money by using parts that are at hand.
Why is it better to use steam rather than solar wax refinery:
- Using steam, you can produce significantly more high-quality raw materials.
- You can use the device at different times of the year in any weather.
The disadvantages of a homemade wax refinery in front of the factory are less productivity and power. Also, it is not so convenient to use. However, if you do not manufacture wax on an industrial scale, then the factory apparatus is useless to you.
Instruction: how to make a do-it-yourself wax refinery
Let us examine the example of a washing machine, how to make a wax refinery at home.All you need from the car is:
- housing;
- tank and drum;
- manhole sealing cuff;
- drain pipe;
- intake hose.
All other parts must be removed. How to disassemble the washing machine, we wrote in other articles.
After disassembling, prepare the following components:
- 15-20 liter flask;
- trough (preferably metal);
- rubber plug;
- silicone sealant;
- a stove for heating (gas or electric), you can make a fire.
You will also need a metal cover - larger in diameter than the drum hole in the washing machine. It’s real to assemble such a design in an hour and a half.
Assembly sequence
From the body of the washer you only need two side and back walls. The front panel is removable.
If a service hatch is provided in the rear wall, it must be unscrewed and removed. If there is none, then make a hole yourself, based on the diameter of the tank with the drum. Bolt the walls further for strength.
Then install the housing on the side walls, rear panel up. For stability, you can put it on special struts. Then proceed as follows:
- Drill a few holes in the back of the tank. Close all other openings that were provided by the manufacturer (except the opening for the drain pipe) with rubber plugs.
- Place the drum tank in the hole at the top of the housing.
- Fasten them in place with bolts.
It remains to convert the flask. If you use a large can, then it has a “native” cover, in which you need to make a hole with a diameter, like a filling hose. If this is a simple flask, you need to find a tight cover for it and also make a hole.
Connect the drain pipe to the tank. Insert the inlet hose into the flask cover and connect the other end to the nozzle. Fix the junction with silicone sealant.
Everything, steam wax refinery did it yourself. It remains to understand how the device functions.
How the wax refinery from the washing machine works and works
We have already disassembled the device for the steam frame wax refinery. Now consider the principle of operation.
Load the dried wax waste into the drum, and then fill the flask with water ¾ of the volume. Then place a flask of water on the heat source: stove or bonfire. Close the waste tank with a lid and install a press on top to prevent steam from escaping. Install a trough from the bottom of the tank.
After the water in the jar boils, steam will begin to be produced. Passing through the hose and pipe, steam will flow into the tank and heat the wax. Wax together with hot water will drain from the drum into the tank, and then into the trough. As it cools, it will float to the surface where you collect it.
In such a simple way, you can recycle wax waste in your own apiary. At minimal cost you will get high-quality wax for your needs or for sale.
On average, waxing takes from 3 to 4 hours. But if you adjust the power of heating the flask, you can reduce this time.