cut comb in the freezer

[citrus]

so have about 4 super frames of foundation less honeycomb ready for cut comb and had planned to put it in jars for family over xmas and fill with fluid honey around it

what is the best approach here ... let it defrost overnight and then cut it ?

I did try straight from the freezer but that is a disaster which I compounded with one experimental jar with a strip of cut comb butchered out and then poured in warm runny honey

without thinking it was -10 comb meeting 35degree honey ... and it didnt go well !

 

[Ian123]

Problem is cold wax is brittle wait until it’s well thawed and up to room temperature, will take longer than you think. Cut with a warm/hot knife. Keep a couple in hot water clean and wipe after cuts. Warmed honey is good as it fills a few empty cells as long as they are angled upwards. You may need to top up if or when air escapes I find chunk can crystallise faster so keep jars warm and bottle as needed, and make shaw any liquid honey is properly melted.

 

[citrus]

Problem is cold wax is brittle wait until it’s well thawed and up to room temperature, will take longer than you think. Cut with a warm/hot knife. Keep a couple in hot water clean and wipe after cuts. Warmed honey is good as it fills a few empty cells as long as they are angled upwards. You may need to top up if or when air escapes I find chunk can crystallise faster so keep jars warm and bottle as needed, and make shaw any liquid honey is properly melted.

Thanks Ian ... so when you say longer than you think ...

from -17 in the freezer to 20 degrees warm .. most defrosting for other food stuff takes at least overnight but perhaps in this case its a 24 hr job ?

 

[Ian123]

Yes i find 24hr for a full super and even a fan to drive off any moisture left by ice but that’s a full box on edge. I know your only doing a frame or 2 but nothing lost at all by giving it a little longer just makes the cutting job easier. Ideally you want a thin sharp blade as well.

 

[enrico]

I cut mine out of the hive and added to jars which I then put in the freezer. Will be taking them out at Christmas.....I did the same with jars of runny honey.
E