Hi Lexie, It works really well but make sure to use washing soda in a good quantity and hot water. That way the propolis seems to melt away leaving the frames nicely clean. Good luck with it. Stewart

Hi Barbara, Thanks for taking time out to comment. It works really well for us, I'm glad you found it useful. Have a great season. Stewart

How much washing soda to water do you use?

Thanks for your comments, Happy to have you along as a subscriber to my channel. Thank you for supporting where you can. Stewart

Hi Thor, Thanks for commenting, it's great to have you along for the journey :) Stewart

Funny, I was just looking at that watch on my desk and think I really should charge it up and get back out on my bike! Don't forget to subscribe and join in the chat on our facebook page. If you need more detailed help/support consider signing up on my Patreon page. www.patreon.com/norfolkhoney Cheers Stewart

I know what you mean about the bike. I've just had to pull out of Ironman Barcelona as my dad has recently passed away and it seems I no longer have time to do anything. I'm not of Facebook but have subscribed to your channel and will definitely be watching and learning.

Thanks Simon. Stewart

You are very welcome.

Hi Mike, Thanks for commenting, I change it out after a days washing, it gets pretty mucky but still does a great job cleaning as long as the water is kept nice and hot. Stewart

Hi Killian, They need a day or so to dry out in the warm sunshine (I'm told we will be getting some soon!). As long as you remember to rinse them well to remove any washing soda residue you should be fine. Stewart

Hi Russ, Thanks for your comments. I don't keep the wax from the washing soda, it seems to react with the washing soda and turns crumbly so I prefer to keep it out of my pure beeswax. I would hate it to contaminate all of my recovered wax. Stewart

Hi Danny, Washing soda or soda crystals are basically a cleaning product that softens water so I imagine you need to look out for water softener? The actual ingredients of the washing soda are Sodium Carbonate DecahydrateMagnesium HydroxideSilica I hope that helps Stewart

@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Hello from South Africa! I managed to find a supplier of washing soda (not well known over here). Could you perhaps advise on the quantity of washing soda to water for effective cleaning?

Hi Tristan, I used something like 6-8 bags of washing soda in the oil drum. It seemed to be enough for what I needed and the key was definitely having really hot water. The propolis and wax just lifts straight off, once the temperature drops a little it becomes more difficult so you will know straight away if it is hot enough. Stewart

Hi, We're still using the same drum to boil our frames so although there is a little rust the straight answer is no, it's still working well. Stewart

Thanks a lot Stewart!

Hi Howard, Thanks for commenting. No, I've never boiled the frames in beeswax, is this something you do and if so, is it cost effective? I usually render the beeswax for exchange and clean the frames in washing soda and then rinse. Stewart

Hi Wayne, Where abouts are you? here in the UK it's called Washing Soda or Soda Crystals, not to be conofused with Caustic Soda, that's something completely different and not to be used by mistake! Stewart

@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo hi stewart, thanks for the reply. yes i am well aware of caustic soda, i use that in my hot tank to clean engine blocks and heads before machining. i am in washington state right on the border of british columbia. i found washing soda at walmart. when the wash tank cools does the wax come to the top? or is it no good because of the soda?

Hi Michael, It's called Dri-Pak here in the UK. Available in most supermarkets the price has increased dramatically over the last couple of years but it's still invaluable for cleaning hive tools and gloves between inspections. Stewart

Hi Julia, Just leave it in the apiary and it will mellow, remember not to scorch it too much, it doesn't need to be blackened. Add some frames of drawn comb if you have them and you could always add a swarm lure. I've never had much luck with them but we always seem to pik up a few of our own swarms each season. Good luck and have a great beekeeping season. Stewart

@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Thank you so much for answering. Usually lots of healthy swarms around in this part of SW Cornwall. Thanks, I think, to a large, young orchard and all-year forage surrounding it. I’ve not had trouble attracting them with brood comb, but haven’t scorched before.

If you dont pay him on patreon he will ignore You same as all of us and our questions

@@B3RG3RS0N Thanks for the heads-up. I’m a Patreon subscriber, so I’ll try that. I can’t remember Stewart’s minimum subscription fee, maybe $5/month? I find his work is worth much more than that, considering he does a weekly podcast in addition to videos. Highly recommended

Hi Neeta, I checked with the local council and the washing soda is ok to be disposed of into the normal drain system so that's where it goes. Stewart

Hi Stewart. Love your videos. When disposing of the oil drum, doesn't all the wax that is melted in the boiling water start to solidify when the water cools down? Would this no coat the drains and waste pipes?

@@TheNorfolkHoneyCo Jen beat me to it but I don't recommend putting wax down a drain (assuming that's what you do. I let the water cool and then lift the wax off manually for the rubbish bin.

Like to know answer to same question svp

Hi Sally, A lot depends on how the frame has stood up but if it's been a perfect frame, well drawn and well used it gets replaced every three years or thereabouts. If it is somehow misshapen, chewed with holes or poorly drawn then maybe only one year. Stewart

Hi Louise, thanks for the question. It's a specific powder for general cleaning and not just powdered laundry soap. Here's a link with furhter information from the manufacturers website. www.dri-pak.co.uk/cleaning-products/soda-crystals/ Regards Stewart

Hi Tracey, Thanks for commenting. It's all about compromise with time versus risk and I think with the washing soda/water being at near boiling point it is adequate. It may be useful for longer immersion time to kill some bacteria hidden deep in a joint but certainly it will kill wax moth eggs and larvae. A good scrubbing of any stubborn areas helps. As of writing I have never had any problems with disease spreading due to the amount of time I use in cleaning my frames so hopefully I am getting pretty much all of the cleaning right. Stewart

Hi Michael, Yes, once they're dry we give them one last clean over to remove any residual wax/dirt to allow the foundation to slide in easily and then add fresh foundation. Stewart

I’ve been boiling my wooden frames (w plastic foundation) using Stuart’s system, and the hot water seems to clean plastic pretty well. It’s not spotless, but at least I know it’s been sterilized in the soap bath. If you use those solid plastic frames, though, they will probably warp in the hot water. I’m giving up on all-plastic anyway, since they provide many hiding places for shb