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Use of galvanized metal for solar wax melter

7K views 12 replies 11 participants last post by  Daniel Y 
#1 ·
There is another thread in this forum, asking about the use of galvanized metal for solar wax melters. I recall a forum discussion on this subject about 6 months to a year ago, but, could not find it.

Jon11 was asking specifically is it ok to use galvanized metal for the wax tray. I know most of the solar melters from years past used galvanized metal, but, now days most are made with stainless steel.

Can anyone help us on the pros or cons of the use of galvanized metal for solar wax melters. Does anyone recall the thread where it was discussed.

Thanks.

cchoganjr
 
#2 · (Edited)
Here is a thread that references galvanized steel in a wax melter. Look for fish_stix comments:
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?242773-Simple-wax-melter

While beeswax is generally not considered human food, you may be interested in FDA rules regarding galvanized metal in contact with commercially prepared food:
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm188064.htm

4-101.15 Galvanized Metal, Use Limitation.

Galvanized metal may not be used for utensils or food-contact surfaces of equipment that are used in contact with acidic food. [SUP]P
[/SUP]
http://www.fda.gov/Food/GuidanceRegulation/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/ucm188064.htm
As far as honey acidity:
http://www.honeybeesuite.com/how-acid-is-honey/

And don't forget CamCote food safe epoxy based paint:
http://www.betterbee.com/Products/Honey-House-Tools/Camcote-Epoxy-Paint

.
 
#3 ·
here is my take on it...we live in a very litigious society that settles its disputes and grievances by blaming otehrs and exacting the proverbial pound of flesh via settlements and court ordered reparations. As such, food producers and processors really have to use the BEST equipment available, or else they risk the wrath of the lawyers.

I'm not a commercial anything, I'll probably never sell any honey, and almost assuredly never break even, or make a profit with the bees. For my purposes the investment in stainless steel extracting equipment is ridiculous. we're talking about collecting bee vomit here. i think a few minutes contact with some zinc galvanizing is the least of my worries. Especially when weighed against my exposure to metals via forging, welding, plasma cutting, and grinding when I'm doing my metal fabricating. a bit of honey isn;t going to be the straw that breaks the camels back.

Now, with that said, i do plan to cover everything in my homemade extractor with a food grade epoxy to limit the honey/metal contact, but thats my nod to "food safety," and thats as far as it goes. I understand that other folks have wildly varied opinions, and i think thats great for them...it's just not great for me. :D
 
#4 ·
For a wax melter galvanized will work fine. I used aluminum flashing for mine. No one is going to eat your wax I hope and any honey that comes out of these things is so burned it just goes down the drain. If you are going to build a melter what I would suggest is find the tray you want to use first and build the melter to fit it.
 
#8 ·
I agree that their is little to worry about with galvanized metal for a wax melter. but on the food grade issue. keep in mind people use bees wax to make lip balm. Not eating it is questionable.
 
#12 ·
I have just recently thought about slanting a piece of new galvanized tin (i had left over from a chicken coop build) into a bucket with some water in it. Really simple. It gave me the idea when i dropped a piece of burrcomb on it one day and it was melted in minits. Of coarse it was 105 that day
 
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