Beeswax vs. Paraffin

Having first started our partnership with a single Honey Bee hive in 2014, I immediately began saving every scrap of Beeswax yielded by the bees. Inconsequential chunks of burr-comb around the frames was a start but it wasn't until my second year of beekeeping that I yielded any appreciable amount of beeswax from the uncapping process of my first Honey spinning; almost a quarter pound! Woot!

At the end of our sixth years of Beekeeping, our apiary stood at 10 hives, and we began our wax-rendering operation. Having finally accumulated enough Beeswax (and necessary processing apparatus to melt, filter, and mold it) we produced our first usable product; a whopping 20 pounds of clean, filtered Beeswax! I'm not sure if 20 pounds sounds like a lot to anyone else, but after six years we were thrilled with our achievement and couldn't wait to produce our first saleable products!

We've always loved burning Beeswax candles and have bought our share of them, but to be honest we've always been somewhat turned off by the price, I mean, it just seemed so expensive when you compare a similarly sized "discount store" candle to the highly touted "Pure Beeswax" candles found in specialty stores and gift shops. So, what's the deal? Well, after six years effort and only 20 pounds of Beeswax to show for it, I finally understand why Beeswax products can be priced as they are!

I admit that we're a very small operation maintaining an apiary of just 10-12 hives, but it's helped us appreciate just what it takes for the bees to provide us with a single pound of beeswax.

For example, here are some interesting facts about what it takes for Honeybees to make Honey:

• A single bee would have to collect nectar from about 2 million flowers to make 1 pound of honey.

• Honeybees will usually travel up to 3 miles from their hive to forage.

• A single honey bee will visit 50-100 flowers on a single trip out of the hive.

• It requires 556 worker bees to gather a pound of honey.

• Bees fly more than once around the world to gather a pound of honey.

• It would take about 1 ounce of honey to fuel a honeybee's flight around the world.

• The average worker bee makes about 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime.

Keep in mind that those statistics are what it takes to make one Pound of Honey, however...

• The equivalent of 8 pounds of Honey is required for Honeybees to make 1 pound of Beeswax!!!

Yes, Honey Bees are awesomely hard-working little bugs!

So, what's the reason Beeswax candles are so appealing? Why would I buy a candle made of pure Beeswax when there are such inexpensive alternatives?

Beeswax vs. Paraffin...

What is Beeswax?

Beeswax is a renewable all-natural wax produced by honey bees. Its non-toxic properties make it perfect for use as a clean burning & bright fuel source in candles. Unlike most paraffin candles, beeswax is hypo-allergenic, great for people with allergies & sensitivities.

What is Paraffin?

Paraffin is a non-renewable byproduct of petroleum, coal, or oil shale. Paraffin is highly refined and treated with chemicals to force it into something that passes as a usable product in candles. It isn’t a clean or bright burning fuel source. Paraffin is not hypo-allergenic and not a great choice for people with allergies, asthma, or other chemical sensitivities.

Finally, here are some reasons to burn beeswax candles:

Beeswax is Non-Toxic

Beeswax is Long Burning

Beeswax is Clean Burning

Beeswax is Naturally Dripless

Beeswax Burns more Brightly

Beeswax is Renewable

Beeswax is a Natural Ionizer

After researching these facts now, I get it, Beeswax is the better alternative. I thank you for your interest.

For more information you can web-search "Beeswax vs Paraffin" or "Beeswax ionize"...