How to Age Beeswax

Beeswax is created from a waxy substance secreted by bees that they then chew and use in the hive.

Beeswax is wax created by bees as part of the hive-building process. It is the key ingredient in creating honeycombs inside a hive. Beeswax has become a widely used item, found in everything from candles to lip balm. The initial color of your beeswax may vary from white to a golden color based on the amount of propolis (plant resin) the bees have collected. Proper storing and temperatures can allow you to age your beeswax, which can darken with time, so that it will better suit your purposes.

Things You'll Need

• Unbleached beeswax
• Plastic wrap
• Small plastic storage tub

Instructions

1. Warm your beeswax to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm it on a candle warmer, set it outside on a hot day or even microwave it for a short time. This is a good temperature to soften the wax and allow you to manipulate it. You can also use a double-boiler to melt the wax and pour it into molds. The wax will melt at around 157 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Mold or press your beeswax into the desired shape. If you do not have a particular shape you want to use, forming small bricks or blocks works well. Avoid using too much pressure when forming your wax; you want it somewhat pliable for ease of use later on.

3. Double wrap your wax forms with plastic wrap. This will keep moisture and humidity from overly affecting the wax during aging.

4. Place your wrapped wax forms into a small storage tub. If you only have a small amount of wax you can use a shoe box as well.

5. Store your containers of wax in an environment that maintains moderate humidity and a temperature between 75 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep your wax from becoming brittle from colder temperatures or too soft from higher temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• This is not an exact science. Many factors impact the color of beeswax such as climate, type of pollen present and temperatures when the wax was produced as well as the level of filtering the wax has received. Be patient and use your wax when it reaches a color you are happy with.

• Bleached beeswax may not darken with age.

• Beeswax stored at low temperatures can become brittle and may require remelting.

• Be careful not to overheat the wax if you are melting it. Splattering wax can cause burns.

References

• Chest of Books: Beeswax
• University of Bristol: The Chemistry of Bees
• World of Honey: Beeswax