Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees, specifically by worker honeybees around days 25-30 of their life. As the worker bee consumes sugars from honey, these sugars are metabolized in the fat cells associated with the wax glands and secreted through eight wax-producing glands location on the bee’s abdominal segments. The wax appears as small scales on the bee’s underside, which are collected by other workers and used to build the comb structure that house honey, pollen, larvae, and developing pupae.
For this process to occur, the hive’s ambient temperature must be maintained between 33-36°C (91-97°F). Approximately 1,100 wax scales are needed to produce a single gram of wax.
Freshly secreted wax is clear like glass and colourless. As pollen is introduced into the mix, the wax becomes progressively yellower and browner as pollen, oils, propolis, and bee feet covered in impurities is incorporated through time.
Before using it for recreational purposes, beeswax must first be cleaned and filtered, in a process called rendering. Using a double boiler method, heat water in a large pot until hot, then add the beeswax to a bowl placed over the pot of water and reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Beeswax melts well below boiling, so avoid vigorous boiling or overheating, which can cause discolouration or create a fire risk. Maintain the water temperature around 150–160°F (62–70°C), increasing slightly up to 170°F (77°C) only if needed in a cooler working environment. A warm room (approximately 80°F / 26°C) allows the wax to cool slowly, helping impurities separate and float to the top while preventing cracking or splitting as the wax solidifies later on. Using a sieve and a cloth filter, pour melted liquid wax into pails. Beeswax has a high melting point around 140-150°F (62-66°C); for optimal wax quality and to preserve beneficial properties, avoid heating wax above 180°F (82°C). When working with beeswax, never use any open flame as beeswax is highly flammable and has a flash point of 399.99°F (204.4°C).
After the initial rendering, additional renderings, typically one or two more, can be done to produce highly purified wax.
Once cleaned, beeswax can be used for a wide range of applications. Creating beeswax candles is a popular option, whether they are hand-dipped or molded. Other common uses include food wraps, furniture and instrument finishes, cosmetics, waterproofing leather and textiles, and sealing sewing thread or shoelaces.
At Bee Maid Bee Supplies, we offer a comprehensive selection of products to support every stage of your beeswax journey. Explore our assortment of pre-filtered wax, candle molds and wicks, frame for hand-dipped candles, and jars and tubes for crafting your own lip balms. If you prefer ready-made options, we also carry high-quality finished products such as Leather Better and bee balm to incorporate beeswax into your everyday life.