Extraction and Preparation of Honey By Mike Pett

Dafydd Pett
Mar 1, 2015
2 min read

Extraction and Preparation of HoneyBy Mike Pett

Clearing the Supers

Before removing the (hopefully) full supers of honey from the hive, it is necessary to clear the bees from the combs. Failure to do so can result in an unpleasant extraction experience, with bees in the extraction room, stings, and potential robbing if you have multiple hives.

The most simple and effective method is using a Porter Bee Escape mounted in a clearing board. This one-way valve allows bees to move down into the brood chamber but prevents them from returning to the super. It clears supers in 24–36 hours. Make sure it is inserted correctly.

Other devices include the Canadian Clearer Board, Hexagonal 6-way escape, and Rhombus Escape, but these are generally more expensive and no more effective. Clearing boards can also serve as crown boards for feeding when the Porter Bee Escape is removed. Always check older escapes for spring functionality and propolis buildup.

Two alternative methods:

Carbolic cloth or 'Bee Quick': Chemically induces bees to move down quickly.
Bee blower: Uses a jet of air to remove bees.

Extracting, Filtering, and Cappings

Only extract sealed honey combs to prevent fermentation; water content should not exceed 17%.
Prepare a bee-tight room free of bees and wasps.
Essential supplies: hot water, containers for uncapping knives, soap, hand drying cloths, extractor, wax cappings container, ripening tank with honey gate valve, 200-micron strainer.

Extractors may be manual or electric; frames fit radially (efficient) or tangentially (one side at a time).

Remove the frame, cut wax cappings with an uncapping knife, ensuring a strainer is in place to collect honey from cappings.
Remove metal or plastic ends before placing the frame in the extractor.
Balance frames to minimize vibration. Honey collects in the extractor base and is strained into the ripening tank.
The ripener allows air bubbles and debris to rise; scrape off scum before bottling.

Wax Cappings:

After honey drains, wash and melt for bright yellow beeswax.
Liquid from washing can be used for mead.

Heating Honey

Heating maximizes extraction using devices like the Pratley tray, separating wax from honey.
Liquefy set honey for bottling by warming gently (<33°C) to preserve flavor and quality.
Monitor HMF (hydromethylfurfural) to measure heat impact; EEC upper limit is 80 ppm.

Honey for Selling and Shows

Honey should be pure, high-quality, properly labelled, and compliant with legislation.
Study show classes and entry requirements; jars must be consistent in colour and quality.

Creamed and Comb Honey

Cut Comb: Blocks of sealed honey in plastic containers.
Sections: Square or round, with round being preferred.
Chunk Honey: Liquid honey containing sealed comb.
Creamed Honey: Mix liquid honey with 10% fine granulated seed honey, whip, and store in cool conditions for soft-set consistency.