Honeycombs

[Lindy]

Can honeycomb be used in soaping and if so, how would I treat it? I just found some beekeepers in my area and I can get whatever I need from them. So I thought if honeycombs can be used in soap it would be pretty cool - but of course I have no idea of how or if or whatever other questions I can remember right now.

TIA

 

[IanT]

im pretty sure it can be used just like beeswax, you would need to make sure its clean from larvae and everything before melting it down with your oils and ... it will provide a harder silkier feeling bar as an end result

 

[heartsong]

s

i've been mulling that over for awhile...this is fresh honey in the comb?
i would think if you heated the wax up enough to melt the wax, you might scortch the honey.

maybe place the comb in some boiling water to melt the wax, then chill. the wax will solidify on the surface and harden for removal. then use the honey-water as part of your batch water, you'd have to make sure the lye temp doesnt scortch the honey.

i'm not really sure- i've used honey and beeswax but never comb honey. it would be interesting playing with it.

can you get this stuff already separated? have you thought of approaching the honey seller about soap with his honey in it?

 

[topcat]

Re: s

i've been mulling that over for awhile...this is fresh honey in the comb?
i would think if you heated the wax up enough to melt the wax, you might scortch the honey.

maybe place the comb in some boiling water to melt the wax, then chill. the wax will solidify on the surface and harden for removal. then use the honey-water as part of your batch water, you'd have to make sure the lye temp doesnt scorth the honey.

i'm not really sure- i've used honey and beeswax but never comb honey. it would be interesting paying with it.

can you get this stuff already separated? have you thought of approaching the honey seller about soap with his honey in it?

heartsong - you have great ideas!!!

My dad was a beekeeper years ago and from memory, he would cut/peel the sealed surface of the comb off with a sharp knife and then wrap the comb in muslin, hung over a bucket and the honey would just ooze/drip out. Then he washed the beeswax. So that's another way to separate it.

Lindy, perhaps the honey seller you got the comb from can be more clear here for you....but the beeswax, now free from the honey, larvae, etc is the same as the beeswax you buy from candle/soap suppliers. So it can be used at a low % in soap (I've heard it adds hardness but not lather).



Tanya

 

[Lindy]

Thanks everyone for all the ideas!

I got the honeycomb this weekend at the Farmer's Market that I did and it is a full piece of comb with the wax and the honey together. I'm going to play with this because I think it would be cool to use the whole thing together since I absolutely love honey soaps. Could I perhaps microwave it on a lower power to melt it the same as I do for my rebatch do you think? It doesn't have any larvae or anything in it so that's good.

I have to say this is expensive stuff to make soap with but if it works then I will charge appropriately for it. Buying straight beeswax from my usual soap supplier is cheaper.

The beekeeper that I got it from already makes and sells soap so I won't be able to make any deals with him. I am however going to keep my eye out for another beekeeper who may want to make a deal / barter.

It sure smells go though..... 8) :?

 

[Lindy]

Pictures Added

Hi there, here is a picture of the honeycomb that I bought...

It was a little expensive - $10.00 for 1 pound (2.2 kg). The honey tastes really good so I'm going to buy honey from this man but I'm going to work on finding another supplier for wax.

Cheers
Lindy

 

[heartsong]

s

perhaps this site might be helpful www.glorybee.com

looks like a nice dark amber honey! they seem to have the best flavor.

you might consider a few other bee products- a beeswax skin balm with oils infused with herbs or maybe a light skin moisturizer with honey and royal jelly. www.libertynatural.com has the best quality royal jelly!