Presto Pot Wax Melter's

[riverbee]

i have grown really tired of double boilers on the stove for melting wax for candles. sometimes i have three of them going on my stove.

who has these? (i think perry does and i think jack does) anyone else use these?
what is your opinion on them, how well do they work, and any quirks with them?  or are they just a fire hazard? 

i read somewhere the nozzle gets clogged because it takes awhile to heat up (the nozzle, pour spout).

if i decide to purchase one, (i am not going to make my own), where did you purchase from?

[Lburou]

I believe I have seen them on ebay...

[Jen]

I would be interested to know as well..

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/PRESTO-MELTER-CANDLE-MAKING-VIRGINIA/dp/B01M23ZO01/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1482168377&sr=8-12&keywords=wax+melter

[Jen]

Curious if this is a good idea as well?

[Perry]

I love ours. You sometimes have to use a skewer to open up the end of the valve but that is such a minor thing. Once the wax starts flowing it opens up nicely. I use the Presto Pot especially when wanting to melt larger amounts of wax as it does so much quicker than a double boiler. I can load it up with 3 or 4 of the blocks like that in this picture, I only had one in there cause I only needed a small amount.

[riverbee]

lee, thanks. i am looking at a seller on ebay who sells different sizes. his advertising is he has been making them for 25 years. if i purchase one, based on his score and his advertising i would probably purchase from him.  i don't want any problems with a leaky valve, or one that falls off.

jen~ did you read the reviews on amazon? (2) nozzle fell off for one person........
also, jen your video is for cleaning wax, mine is already clean, i just need something more efficient to melt wax down for candles.

perry, what size is yours and where did you purchase?  thanks for the tip on the skewer.  also a few more questions:

1. how long does it take to melt down say 1-3 lbs of wax?

2. can you maintain a set temp?  i pour lip balm at 140 d F (60 celsius) i pour candles between 155 d  F and 160 d F ( 68ish celcius - 71ish celsius).
    i want to be able to have the melter hold wax at a specific temp and no higher.

3. if you have not used all the melted wax, do you just let it set in the presto pot? i ask because i would probably melt down whatever i thought i needed for the day, (or add more) and add more the next day if needed.  if long term, or done making candles, i would probably pour into a silicone container.

any tips perry would be welcome.

[Perry]

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PRESTO-POT-WAX-MELTER-LARGE-6-QUART-PRO-SERIES-SPOUT-/230617541409

#1 - 1 to 3 lbs. of wax would probably only be 20 minutes or so.
#2 - It has temps but they mention having it set at the "m" on the word "warm" which comes before any of the numbers. It cycles on and off so once you figure out the temp you want I would imagine it would hold it relatively close.
#3 - I just let any wax I haven't used remain in the pot and let it sit there till I next use it.

[riverbee]

thanks perry.

also, this is the same company i have been looking at on ebay to purchase from.

[Jen]

Riverbee and Perry, the video that I posted, would the crock pot method of cleaning the wax be safe, as in it wouldn't ignite?

[Lburou]

Jen, it would not be safe in my wife's house.  ;-)

[riverbee]

jen, i think lee has a good point and that video you posted on the crock pot method....... personally i think there are better methods to clean your beeswax.

i clean all my beeswax (cappings) before i melt down, and i use a solar melter to run my wax through and filter.  i realize that not everyone can do this or does this.
 
i think for those looking to clean beeswax cappings is, if you can, first wash the cappings clean as best as you can. (get the honey out and some debris) use a 5 gallon pail and throw your cappings in a paint strainer bag. set this in the 5 gallon pail and run the garden hose through it til the water runs clear. let dry and use paper towels to soak up any moisture as it drys. store the dry cappings in zippies, throw in the freezer til ready to melt down.

if you don't wash out the wax, find yourself a nice size inexpensive stockpot from wherever.  throw your wax in the stockpot, add water. you don't need much (don't fill the stockpot to the top)  depending on if you are cleaning cappings or chunks/bricks and how much; just barely cover the bricks or fill the stock pot about 1/2 way full.  bring to a GENTLE boil on a lower heat setting on your stove, then shut the heat off and take off the stove.  let this cool completely. you will have a round brick of beeswax when everything cools down. dump it out. on the bottom will be debris. scrape it off. gentle heating/boiling with water gets most if not all of the honey out. repeat if necessary if you think the beeswax is not clean or still contains honey.

to get the wax cleaner, you can chop the wax down in chunks (chisel, hammer); melt it down double boiler style and use a milk carton or silicone bread pan covered in old t-shirt material, or layers of cheesecloth, to pour and filter the wax into. this will get out any leftover debris.

heat will discolor wax (make it darker) so you don't want to boil too long in the stock pot at a high temp.  just enough to 'jumble' the wax around to get the honey and debris out.  and it may take more than one round to do it.

hope this helps jen. 

[neillsayers]

something else added to my wish list

[Jen]

Riv, thanks for taking the time to explain that. My daughter makes her own lotions and balms, she loves the idea of making her lotions with wax from my hives. This will help 

[Gypsi]

Neat stuff!

[riverbee]

thanks gypsi. wax melting is always an adventure........and so is cleanup......

jen, you are welcome, any time you have a question you know you can post here and get an answer.  i recently did the water bath thing on a batch of wax and filtered into a milk carton and silicone bread pan.  will start a thread on this because i am not happy with the color of the wax for candles and was not happy with getting jerked around by the seller.

i digress, anyway, perry what is the difference.........this seller on ebay like the link you posted (canadian)advertises the very same presto pot as a 'large 6 quart pro series' (usa).....can handle 6 - 8 quarts of wax.   sells another similiar, 5 quart version yet says it also handles 6 to 8 quarts of wax............?
these both have the right angled plumbing apparatus for the pouring spout instead of a straight one.  does yours have the r angle? how do ya get a skewer up through that.........lol........  
 
so what makes it a 'pro series' if you know?

here are the usa links:
am i missing something?  these look the same except for a 'decal' on the pro series handle, and one is 6 quarts and the other is 5 quarts. the 6 quart is 89.95, the 5 quart is $73.83...........?
take a lookie see.....

PRESTO POT WAX MELTER/MELTING LARGE 6 QUART PRO SERIES/SPOUT

PRESTO POT WAX MELTER/WAX MELTING WITH SPOUT * NEW * 1 YEAR WARRANTY

shoot perhaps i need to send this company a message and ask.
5 quart, 6 quart, ? in the big picture what's the difference.  i'd buy the 6 quart.  just have to find a place to store yet another piece of equipment.......lol............

i need an addition on my house........

[Gypsi]

I don't know much about wax melters but I know a bit about setting stock up for sale on the internet and copy/paste is a basic tool.  They probably copied the 6 quart text on volume onto the 5 quart wax melter and intended to correct later.  Contact them to be sure, will let them know to fix it while they are at it.

[Perry]

I got the 6 quart one, and I removed the right angle fitting on the end, it was nothing but a nuisance.

[Zweefer]

Have you considered looking at the Presto plant here in EC Riverbee?

[blueblood]

Here is the one I built River.  I really like it.  The heat from the kettle transfers to the brass fittings.  So, I don't have a problem with clogging.  Now, I use mine for melting wax capping after I have washed them a bit.  The crud pretty much floats to the top.  I pour through paint strainer over a bucket with water and "presto," I am done!  I then scoop out the crud.  As for temperature, I keep it at 250 all the time.

[riverbee]

zweef, didn't know there was a plant in EC?!..........

thanks dave for the pix and your post, i appreciate it.

i am looking at buying something else maybe; a direct heat wax melter made by a manufacturer in minnesota.........

RiteHete Direct Heat Wax Melters

a little more than a presto pot..........

the manufacturer just sent me  some specs today and answered some questions............SWEET! 

will post up the pdf file they sent me........

[riverbee]

after doing a bit of research, and for the amount of wax i melt down for candles every year, i am looking at buying a 4 or a 12 quart wax melter from a company in fridley minnesota, riteheat.  (link in previous post)

these look pretty cool. although more expensive then a presto pot i am thinking i like it..........

any thoughts, feedback appreciated.

the company custom builds them to order.

pdf file attached
some of the info:

VRS DIRECT HEAT MELTERS
FAST MELT DIRECT HEAT MELTERS constructed with a multiple-circuit,
blanket-type heating element which is uniformly applied around the crucible. The
result is TOTALLY uniform heat – NO hot spots, cold spots or overheating.
Temperature controls start the heating element for a quick heat up to maximize
your production time. These melters are ideal for use with both wax and gel.
Variable temperature ranges from 60 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need
melting or pouring temperatures above 250 degrees Fahrenheit, our VRS Direct
Heat Melters are the perfect match also. Exclusively a Rite-Hete product that is
manufactured on-site in our factory, offers fast melting, heavy duty stainless
steel construction, heated valve, and temperature controls. You can easily mix your
color and scent directly into these units, or use them to melt your material. These
melters, combined with our EZ Dispensing Systems, make very affordable,
efficient, fast filling production systems. Order your system today!
MELTERS ARE IDEAL FOR USE WITH THE FOLLOWING MATERIALS:
 Wax
 Soy
 Vegetable
 Palm Wax
 Soap
 Gels
SPECIFICATIONS:
 18 gauge stainless steel crucible
 20 gauge stainless steel shell
 Cover: loose; aluminum with heat-resistant knob
 2” fiberglass insulation
 Multiple-circuit, blanket-type heater for uniform heat
 Heated long-life, no-drip ball valve dispenser
 6’ power cord
 Electronic temperature control (60-250F, 40-410F and 150-550F range)
 Two zone heat on 40 and 60 quart models
OPTIONS:
 Specify 120 volt or 240 volt power.
 Digital electronic temperature control (call for price)
 Variable temperature ranges. Specify 60-250 degrees Fahrenheit, 40-
410 degrees Fahrenheit or 150-550 degrees Fahrenheit.

[Perry]

Is this to melt your bulk wax, or your finished wax for candles? I have the Presto Pot for my finish wax for candles and i find it does the job nicely, I never do a big pour of candles that I would need anything bigger. Now if you're talking for melting your bulk wax I would say it looks great.

[riverbee]

it is to melt down the finished wax perry, (already filtered etc).  but would be a nice option for bulk wax.

i am liking the 4 quart, it holds 6 lbs of wax.  heats very quickly, quicker than a presto pot, (so i am told). it's 6 3/4 inches in diameter and 7 inches in depth. also, i like the electronic control, set and forget. no checking to see if it is maintaining temperature.  i can get this in digital if i would like. 
brass nozzle always remains heated so no problems with wax clogging it up. stays cool on the outside to the touch.  nice construction, well built, (stainless steel) will last a very long time. great warranty.
no shipping charges for me.

i have a few more questions for the manufacturer.

it is spendy........much more than a presto pot.