Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
uncapped before the honey can be extracted this way, so you'll need a decapping knife or hot knife
to cut through the top coverings of the honey cells.
Many of these machines will spin several frames at a time. This leads to some creative bartering
amongst beekeepers and joint harvest parties where you might be able to take your honey frames
to someone else's machine. Some beekeepers will harvest by hand methods rather than risk mixing
their honey with another beekeeper's—especially if they've been trying to use organic methods.
After the honey has been extracted, you'll return the frames to the hive temporarily so your bees
can collect the beeswax cappings and clean any remaining honey from the frames. Be sure you
don't leave these still-sticky frames out in the open or you'll encourage robber bees to come and
attack your hive! Keep them covered until you can return them to the hive for a day and let the
bees clean them up.
One of the big benefits of spinning the honey out of the frame is that you preserve the individual
cells of the honeycomb. This gives the bees a head start in filling those frames the following season,
because they won't have to build the comb and then fill it—they can get right to work filling all
the cells.
When the honey has been extracted, it will need to be filtered. Again there are several methods for
accomplishing the same thing—straining the honey through a fine mesh or fabric filter that will
remove any wayward debris, dirt or pollen grains, or leftover wax that came loose during extrac-
tion. Allow the honey to settle so all the air bubbles are at the top, and then fill the presterilized
honey bottles or jars with your bounty!
These backyard farmers used a jelly strainer to strain their honey harvest.
(Photo courtesy of Meg Allison Zaletel)
