Learn the difference between thin surplus and thick brood foundation. Choose the right type for comb honey, brood rearing, or extraction to maximize hive health and honey quality.
Discover how frames and combs create a manageable hive for brood rearing and honey storage, enabling non-destructive inspections and sustainable harvesting.
Explore the 4 standard ten-frame hive body depths: deep, medium, shallow, and intermediate. Learn their uses, weights, and how to choose the best for your apiary.
Learn why starting with a stable foundation, essential components, and a second hive is critical for new beekeepers to ensure colony survival and growth.
Learn why medium or shallow honey supers are the standard for beekeeping safety, preventing back strain from heavy, deep supers during hive inspections and harvest.
Learn how a queen excluder separates brood from honey, ensuring a cleaner harvest and organized hive. Understand its uses and trade-offs for beekeepers.
Discover the key safety features of solar wax melters, including no electrical/fuel hazards, durable construction, and high-strength glazing for risk-free operation.
Discover how a solar waxer uses the greenhouse effect to melt and filter beeswax using only sunlight, offering a safe, sustainable solution for beekeepers.
Learn how a solar waxer's internal components—like the perforated tray and heat plate—work together to melt and purify beeswax using only solar energy.
Learn key strategies for winterizing beehives: food management, insulation, ventilation, and pest control to ensure colony survival through cold months.
Learn why a strong, healthy honey bee colony is vital for winter survival. Key factors include population size, Varroa mite control, and proper hive management.
Discover how honey bee colonies can reach 50,000 bees in summer. Learn key factors for maximizing hive health, honey yield, and pollination efficiency.
Learn the crucial first steps for handling melted beeswax: remove from heat, strain for purity, and pour quickly to avoid solidification and overheating risks.
Discover the 3 best methods for melting beeswax: double boiler, crock-pot, and solar melter. Learn safe techniques to preserve wax quality and avoid fire hazards.
Discover creative uses for cleaned beeswax beyond candles. Learn how to waterproof fabric, lubricate tools, protect leather, and seal surfaces with this natural material.
Discover the top uses for rendered beeswax, from natural cosmetics and waterproofing to candlemaking. Learn how its unique properties benefit your projects.
Learn critical safety steps for melting beeswax in a microwave, including 1-minute heating intervals and why indirect heat is the professional standard.
Discover why pure beeswax candles don't need a long cure. Learn the correct resting time for optimal burn and when a cure is necessary for scented blends.
Learn the step-by-step crush and strain method for harvesting pure honey and clean beeswax from top bar and fixed comb hives. Simple, effective, and natural.
Learn the best time to start melting beeswax in a solar oven for complete liquefaction. Tips on leveraging peak sun, avoiding scorching, and ensuring safety.
Learn the ideal weather for melting beeswax in a solar oven: clear skies, warm temperatures, and low wind are key to reaching the melting point efficiently.