Honey extractors are the usual in relation to harvesting honey, however you possibly can harvest with out one. One methodology of honey harvesting known as ‘crush and pressure’ provides a easy different. Maintain studying to seek out out when and why I exploit this methodology, plus how I do it.

What’s the Distinction?

Honey extraction permits the beekeeper to spin the honey from the combs whereas retaining the combs intact. The beekeeper harvests frames of honey from their hives, slices off the highest of the comb (the honey cappings) and locations the frames (now with open cells of honey) in a  giant, cylindrical piece of apparatus known as an extractor. The extractor spins the honey frames, flinging honey out of the cells utilizing centrifugal drive. The honey is now seperated from the comb and be jarred. The empty combs (stickies) are returned to the bees for reusue. This methodology permits the bees to make extra honey with out having to spend time and vitality on rebuilding their honey combs.

The crush and pressure methodology doesn’t protect the honey combs. All the honey comb is crushed up after which strained via a sieve or cheesecloth which seperates the honey from the crushed comb. For those who use this methodology the bees must rebuild their comb befofe they will make extra honey. So, you may be considering: why would you utilize this methodology? There are lots of situations the place I favor this methodology. I’ll listing some under.

Once I Use the Crush & Pressure Technique:

1. I’m harvesting from a unique fashion hive like a high bar hive or warre hive.
2. I don’t have time to arrange and clear up the extractor, which is labor intensive.
3. I’m solely harvesting a small quantity of honey.
4. I wish to harvest the wax, not simply the honey.
5. The comb is outdated and I don’t wish to return it to the colony.
6. The wood frames are outdated or damaged and I don’t wish to return them to the hive.
7. I’m lowering the colony and don’t intend to return the stickies to the hive.
8. It’s the tip of the season, and I don’t wish to retailer empty comb over the winter.

Easy methods to Crush and Pressure Honey

1. Begin by chopping the honeycomb out the body with a knife. Do that over a clear floor or in a big shallow pan.
2. Finely crush the wax utilizing dough cutter instruments, so the honey releases.
3. Subsequent, selected a technique to separate the wax from the honey. You may filter wax out utilizing cheese fabric or a metallic sieve.
4. As soon as the honey is strained, put it in clear jars  and course of the valuable wax.

Click on right here to take a look at a enjoyable video of my course of on my Instagram.

Crushing Tip

Slicing the comb into strips with a crinkle cutter earlier than crushing, as this helps make crushing simpler. When chopping, purpose for items which can be concerning the width of your dough cutter or mashing instrument. Remember the fact that if the comb is outdated, it may be onerous or unimaginable to crush the wax absolutely clean.

Should-Have Instruments to Crush & Stain

Most of those honey harvest instruments can be found 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 storage bin for Frames

Cleanup

I prefer to make honey harvest cleanup simpler by protecting my work floor with giant, skinny kitchen towels or parchment paper to catch drips. Cleansing as you go helps a ton too.

I additionally hold a ceramic bowl or plate close by to set my honey-covered instruments on. Any honey pooled on the plate goes into the honey bucket, so none goes to waste.

Sticky surfaces and instruments get wiped down with scorching water, dish cloths, and a tiny little bit of cleaning soap.

Study As You Go

Each time I harvest honey, I be taught one thing beneficial about my instruments and strategies, or I sharpen a ability. I’ve a number of weblog posts, the place I’ve documented little issues I’ve realized alongside the best way. For instance, in Easy methods to Inform If Your Hive is Robust, I speak about how numerous honey will not be all the time an indication of energy. When you’ve got questions or have realized one thing alongside your jouney, please share within the feedback under! And don’t neglect about my in-person and on-line lessons, in case you’re itching to be taught extra or refresh your information.