I have 144 bottles of Mead that I made for the Princess Kathryn’s wedding to give as favors. How does everyone who waxes the tops do it.? I have the wax beads from Austin HB. How to heat them? In what type of vessel?
I’ve only done it once, but what I did was put the wax into a can, then put that into a pot of water on the stove. A double boiler, essentially. Then just invert the bottles, dunk them in the wax for a few seconds, spin, and set them aside to dry.
I remember seeing a discussion somewhere about someone using glue sticks melted with some crayons as a much better way of waxing bottles but I’m darned if I can figure out where I saw it.
A friend of mine said that electric potpourri burners work well for melting the wax. I haven’t tried it yet but I figure it would be worth a shot.
The thing to keep in mind is that petroleum wax, and bees wax for that matter is flammable! A double boiler is a good idea but some kind of electric heating element is even better. I usually melt left over candle stubs and crayons for color. the hot glue and crayons is an interesting idea to.
Recycled soup-style can heated intermittently, on a very low burner?
Actually, you can safely do this with non-stick pans, too.
When the wax cools, it comes out quite easily.
Still haven’t found the particular discussion I’m remembering but here’s a few “glue stick” ones…
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/hot-glue-bottle-wax-experiment-127485/
http://www.passionbeer.com/2010/09/02/making-bottle-wax-for-your-beer/
I use the double boil method on an electric stove. I put the wax in a small glass mason jar, and then put that in a 2 quart pot. Fill with only enough water so jar does not float.
Went was melts and cools a bit, I simply dip the bottles in. I dip, let bottle wax solidify a bit, cool, and repeat on same bottle I get the seal/look I want.
Oh the other thing I have learned about waxing bottles is to get the narrowest container you can find for the wax. that way you have to melt less and can still get the depth on the bottle neck you are looking for. it’s little tricky though as it can’t be so narrow/deep that the shoulder of the bottle gets in the way. Perhaps, if one had the appropriate equipment (Glass cutter and breaker) one could cut the neck and shoulder off a larger bottle (Maybe a growler) for this purpose so it’s big enough for the bottle you are dipping but just barely.
That’s the exact reason the soup can works so well.
Canned salmon cans come to mind. They have narrow bottoms and wide tops. I have never bought canned
salmon but may have to.
I use a glass canning jar. I put it in the microwave for awhile (maybe 2x 3-4 minutes) then put it into a pot on the stove with boiling water (setting it on something to stop the glass from touching the pan bottom).
Ding, Ding, Ding,Ding. We have a winner!
Picked one up today for $1.35 at the thrift shop in town. Just started waxing the tops. Great Idea! enough room for a manageable amount of wax, keeps it warm, and was cheap.
Awesome! I’m glad to hear that it works well. Finding one at a thrift shop for a cheap price is a definite bonus!
Well, since she’s a Princess, The Queen Mary might be a suitable vessel…but I’m not sure they’ll let you use a electric potpourri pot on board.
If you get your phone fixed, I’ll text you a picture. ;D
You will get to taste this at the Domras.