Honey extractors are the usual in the case of harvesting honey, however you’ll harvest with out one. One manner of honey harvesting known as ‘crush and pressure’ gives a easy choice. Stay studying to determine when and why I take advantage of this system, plus how I do it.
What’s the Distinction?
Honey extraction permits the beekeeper to spin the honey from the combs whilst preserving the combs intact. The beekeeper harvests frames of honey from their hives, slices off the highest of the brush (the honey cappings) and puts the frames (now with open cells of honey) in a massive, cylindrical piece of kit known as an extractor. The extractor spins the honey frames, flinging honey out of the cells the use of centrifugal pressure. The honey is now seperated from the brush and be jarred. The empty combs (stickies) are returned to the bees for reusue. This technique permits the bees to make extra honey with no need to spend time and effort on rebuilding their honey combs.
The weigh down and pressure manner does no longer keep the honey combs. All of the honey comb is beaten up after which strained via a sieve or cheesecloth which seperates the honey from the beaten comb. For those who use this system the bees should rebuild their comb befofe they may be able to make extra honey. So, you could be considering: why would you utilize this system? There are lots of eventualities the place I desire this system. I will be able to record some under.
Once I Use the Weigh down & Pressure Manner:
- I’m harvesting from a special taste hive like a best bar hive or warre hive.
- I don’t have time to arrange and blank up the extractor, which is exertions extensive.
- I’m most effective harvesting a small quantity of honey.
- I need to harvest the wax, no longer simply the honey.
- The brush is previous and I don’t need to go back it to the colony.
- The wood frames are previous or damaged and I don’t need to go back them to the hive.
- I’m decreasing the colony and don’t intend to go back the stickies to the hive.
- It’s the tip of the season, and I don’t need to retailer empty comb over the wintry weather.
Learn how to Weigh down and Pressure Honey
- Get started through chopping the honeycomb out the body with a knife. Do that over a blank floor or in a big shallow pan.
- Finely weigh down the wax the use of dough cutter gear, so the honey releases.
- Subsequent, selected a solution to separate the wax from the honey. You’ll be able to filter out wax out the use of cheese fabric or a steel sieve.
- As soon as the honey is strained, put it in blank jars and procedure the valuable wax.
Click on right here to try a amusing video of my procedure on my Instagram.
Crushing Tip
Cutting the brush into strips with a crinkle cutter earlier than crushing, as this is helping make crushing more uncomplicated. When chopping, intention for items which are concerning the width of your dough cutter or mashing device. Needless to say if the brush is previous, it may be onerous or inconceivable to weigh down the wax absolutely easy.
Will have to-Have Gear to Weigh down & Stain
All these honey harvest gear are to be had on my Amazon Storefront.
- Knife
- Stainless Metal Dough Blender
- Stainless Metal Crinkle Cutter or Dough Cutter
- Silicone Spatula
- Massive Shallow Pan like a Bain Marie or Steam Desk Catering Dish
- Cheese Material or Steel Sieve
- Honey Bucket with Spout
- Massive garage bin for Frames
Cleanup
I love to make honey harvest cleanup more uncomplicated through masking my paintings floor with massive, skinny kitchen towels or parchment paper to catch drips. Cleansing as you cross is helping a ton too.
I additionally stay a ceramic bowl or plate within sight to set my honey-covered gear on. Any honey pooled at the plate is going into the honey bucket, so none is going to waste.
Sticky surfaces and gear get wiped down with sizzling water, dish cloths, and a tiny little bit of cleaning soap.
Be informed As You Cross
Each and every time I harvest honey, I be informed one thing treasured about my gear and techniques, or I sharpen a ability. I’ve a couple of weblog posts, the place I’ve documented little issues I’ve discovered alongside the way in which. As an example, in Learn how to Inform If Your Hive is Sturdy, I discuss how numerous honey isn’t at all times an indication of energy. If in case you have questions or have discovered one thing alongside your jouney, please proportion within the feedback under! And don’t put out of your mind about my in-person and on-line categories, in the event you’re itching to be informed extra or refresh your wisdom.