Electric beeswax sterilizer 75 L - thermal oil, stainless steel

01 · WHY OIL AND NOT WATER

Water stops at 100 and the maker asks for about 130

Bienen Ruck says to set the thermostat to about 130 °C and, once the wax has melted and the temperature is reached, wait about 45 minutes; for disinfection, Bienen Ruck's manual (previous model) asks for more: at least 115 °C for about 60 minutes, or 5 hours above 130 °C. With water or steam at atmospheric pressure you cannot get there: water boils at 100 and stays.

The thermal oil circulates through the double wall, spreads the heat without hot spots and lets that temperature be held for as long as needed. It takes around 40 litres, and they are not included.

02 · WHAT IT DOES AND DOES NOT DO

It reduces microbiological risk; it removes no chemical residue

Sterilising means controlling time and temperature to reduce the microbiological load of the wax, and that is what this unit does. What it does not do, and it is worth saying plainly, is remove acaricide or other chemical residues: that is decontamination, and it is a different process.

And where a notifiable disease is suspected in the apiary, the correct route is to notify the official veterinary services. A machine in the workroom replaces neither that notice nor what is decided afterwards.

03 · WHAT IT IS LIKE INSIDE

75 litres, double wall and two 1/2 inch taps

The vessel is double-wall insulated stainless steel: 60.9 cm internal height, 76 cm external height and 48 cm diameter including the insulation. It has two 1/2 inch outlet taps for easy draining.

The element is 3000 W at 230 V. It also serves for working candle wax, which is the other common use for a vessel that holds a stable temperature.

04 · IT ARRIVES PARTLY DISMANTLED

And the oil is changed every 300 heat-ups

The outlet valve and the element are shipped separately so they do not suffer in transit, with an assembly guide and a sealing band. It is a simple assembly, but it has to be done before the first load.

The maker says to change the thermal oil every 300 heat-ups or, at the latest, every 5 years.

05 · BEFORE YOU BUY

What has to be added and what not to expect.