Can I remove partially sealed super?

[Tigger]

I have this idea to remove a very heavy super from the top of my hive (mainly to save my back) and then to extract the honey straightaway.

Obviously I'd first put on a clearer board for a day before the removal.

My question is whether this would be ok or would there be any problems e.g. honey dripping.

Thank you.

 

[drex]

Depends what you intend to do with the honey. If for sale there are legal requirements.
do you have a refractometer? As long as water content is less than 20 it is OK. I prefer it to be even less. A " shake test" gives a good indication of readiness but is approximate.
A super that is about half capped is usually ok

 

[victor meldrew]

Do you have a refractometer? As long as water content is less than 20 it is OK. I prefer it to be even less. A " shake test" gives a good indication of readiness but is approximate.

Apparently borage honey can exceed 20% by a little ?

 

[Tigger]

Depends what you intend to do with the honey. If for sale there are legal requirements.
do you have a refractometer? As long as water content is less than 20 it is OK. I prefer it to be even less. A " shake test" gives a good indication of readiness but is approximate.
A super that is about half capped is usually ok

Thanks. I forgot about this point.

 

[enrico]

A refractometer is worth its weight in gold and cheap off ebay

 

[Finman]

You may move frame by frame that when it is too heavy. I would not extract uncapped honey.

 

[Tigger]

I would not extract uncapped honey.

Thanks. But why not?

 

[enrico]

Because the water content may be too high and it will ferment. It needs testing but the obvious thing is to wait until it is capped then you are 90% safe!

 

[Boston Bees]

Just opened a bucket of honey from last year to find it had gone foamy on top ..... whoops

 

[Finman]

Thanks. But why not?

Because uncapped honey may start to ferment. I have had time to wait that honey is capped.

 

[JamezF]

Just opened a bucket of honey from last year to find it had gone foamy on top ..... whoops

Time to make some mead, then?

James

 

[Boston Bees]

Time to make some mead, then?

James

Just found someone on a local FB group who is taking it for free, to do exactly that

 

[Finman]

Time to make some mead, then?

James

That is real medicine to liver.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Apparently borage honey can exceed 20% by a little ?

Not legally it can't.
2015 honey regs are very specific - all honey unless bakers honey or heather must be <20%