Choice of Freezer for storing honey stores

[Beeline]

I need to buy a freezer to store honey stores and kill off Wax moth that has suddenly appeared on some frames.

Firstly, is the preferred type the chest freezer?

Also do you store them in their brood or super boxes or individually?

I was hoping to buy a rather smallish chest freezer but even at 150L the internal dims are 438 x 380mm - too small for both frame or box to lying horizontally. I was hoping to place boxes, with frames, inside.

For those keeping frames in the freezer (be it at times only), what are you doing?

Appreciate the advice.

 

[enrico]

Don't store honey in the freezer......absolutely no need..... It should ONLY be used to kill wax moth on old frames and box,s. overnight in the freezer is plenty long enough.
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[drstitson]

why can't you put the frames in vertically?

 

[Arfermo]

Honey doesn't ever need freezing. Below 15C in buckets is enough. Neither does wax if kept in something airtight. Large platic containers are everywhere and they can be put outside in freezing weather which should be enough.

 

[Queens59]

Didn't a cut comb expert on here say he froze and defrosted sections as needed?? I vaguely remember reading it - because at the time my fridge was overflowing with the stuff!! But agreed, extracted honey doesn

 

[oliver90owner]

Honey doesn't ever need freezing. Below 15C in buckets is enough. Neither does wax if kept in something airtight. Large platic containers are everywhere and they can be put outside in freezing weather which should be enough.

I like your confidence, but misguided.

Airtight it may be, but with enough air in there waxmoth will reek havoc.

There are times when honey can be best stored in a freezer - like when the honey is stored for home consumption and is marginal, or worse, on water content, so may otherwise ferment. Like when storing a part-super for use later in the season.

 

[davnig]

Didn't a cut comb expert on here say he froze and defrosted sections as needed?? I vaguely remember reading it - because at the time my fridge was overflowing with the stuff!! But agreed, extracted honey doesn

you'd freeze cut comb to kill any wax moth eggs/larva in the comb

 

[Luminos]

It's no good storing frames in sealed plastic bags if the wax moth has already laid her eggs, you just seal them in, and then they still hatch. Freezer is the way to go.

I store mine in a chest freezer, after a bad wax moth experience...I stack the frames as they would be in the hive.
Cold way, of course

The freezer is useful for storing pollen, too.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I need to buy a freezer to store honey stores and kill off Wax moth that has suddenly appeared on some frames.

Firstly, is the preferred type the chest freezer?

Firstly you should check with your local BKA to find out what kind of freezer other beekeepers in the area use - it is so much easier, especially for the beginner for compatibility and exchange of equipment for when, say, you need to beg a spare frame from somwhere. In general most beekeepers use the 'National ' Freezer, but with modern bee strains this is now seen as a bit small so some have gone for the 14x12 as it has the same footprint as the national or even the commercial. Worldwide the preference is for the Langstroth although even then there are slight variances from country to country.
The other thing to consider is whether you are going to oirent you frames the cold way or................the cold way.
We won't go into the 'boutique' type freezers such as your top bar or Warre (AKA the upright freezer)

 

[poshpikey]

I use a large chest freezer to:

store honeycomb
freeze drone brood
storing spare brood frames full of stores for nucs etc

I store it in the brood/super boxes as it is just easier

 

[Arfermo]

I like your confidence, but misguided.

Airtight it may be, but with enough air in there waxmoth will reek havoc.

There are times when honey can be best stored in a freezer - like when the honey is stored for home consumption and is marginal, or worse, on water content, so may otherwise ferment. Like when storing a part-super for use later in the season.

I don't appreciate being regarded as misguided. Freezing frames at sometime any time will do the job - it isn't a panick situation. Rushing out to buy a chest freezer on the offchance of some waxmoth is probably (to quote you) misguided.

Accept your point about poor quality honey in those circs only - but if suitably stored in cool surroundings at or below 15C fermentation would usually be inhibited (I am a winemaker). Above this is mishandling the stuff. It certainly does not need freezing whatever. imho