I did it last night and it is almost perfect. But there are blemishes on the shiny top part and some waves on the bottom as well as about a 1/4 inch split, so I am giving it one more try before calling it a day.
My dogs got up and walked right past it through the kitchen at 3:30 AM which is probably what caused the waves.
Keith Fielder tells me that pouring a perfect wax block is one of the most difficult things a beekeeper can attempt for the honey contest, and I am a real believer in what he says. So I will try again tonight. Maybe five times is the charm for wax blocks!
It looks beau-ti-fomous to me!
ReplyDeleteWhat size is your finished block ?
ReplyDeleteAlso, how do you slow down the cooling to stop it from cracking ?
The rules for our honey show say that the block must weigh at least 2 pounds and no more than 3. I pour a block that weighs about 41 ounces. It also cannot be taller than 2 inches. I pour it in a brownie sized pan. To keep it from cracking as it cools, I put the wax filled pan in a hot water bath that cools as the wax cools so it cools much more slowly. I pour it at night and don't look at it until the next morning. Search "wax block" on this site to follow the details of last year's process. Tonight I'm doing pour #5 - cross your fingers!
ReplyDeleteAfter it cools, does it come out of the pan easily? My first attempt at this the wax stuck in the mold and I had to slap it down on the countertop to get it out.
ReplyDeleteOur rules at the state fair are a little more relaxed, in that the only rule is the wax block must weigh at least 1LB. I was going to give it a go this year but was just too busy to get it done. You have inspired me to give it a go next year.
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks pretty amazing to me. How do you get all the inpurities all out of the wax??
ReplyDelete