Extracting honey without an extractor

[Tom Bick]

We did the same - just one comb on Saturday, from our top bar. We cut the comb about an inch from the top and then put it back, and drained the comb (cut into pieces) through the foot bit of a pair of tights over a big glass jar, propped up by a fork and left it in a warm cupboard overnight.

We got about 2 decent jar-fulls from that, plus some on our toast yesterday - delicious

Excellent your first honey but dont eat it all to fast as I want to try it on my next visit.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Borrow an extractor from your local association.
Andy

For a couple of frames? most of the honey would be left stuck to the extractor and washed off when cleaning I think crush and strain or whatever is a better bet -

 

[garlicpickle]

Was on yootoob, I think at least couple years ago and likely four.

Was discussed on a forum thread.

RAB

I think I discovered it on youtube when t'husband was wondering whether it would be practical to make me a basic extractor rather than buying one.

 

[sandysman]

For a couple of frames? most of the honey would be left stuck to the extractor and washed off when cleaning I think crush and strain or whatever is a better bet -

Take your point but if one gets about six pounds from 2 frames?

 

[Finman]

.
When you keep bees, you need extractor.

Is it better to buy now and use it or after two years?

 

[Melbee]

Taking a frame or two of honey

I've also got a strong colony that has filled the super above the BB with honey. (There's another super on top of that one that's not been drawn).

My question is : if I just take two frames of honey (just to have a taste) should I immediately feed with sugar syrup to make up the loss (having put in two replacement frames) or is there enough time still for the bees to replace by themselves? There's still lots of foraging going on at present here in North Staffs.
Thanks

 

[itma]

I've also got a strong colony that has filled the super above the BB with honey. (There's another super on top of that one that's not been drawn).

My question is : if I just take two frames of honey (just to have a taste) should I immediately feed with sugar syrup to make up the loss (having put in two replacement frames) or is there enough time still for the bees to replace by themselves? There's still lots of foraging going on at present here in North Staffs.
Thanks

First off, I note that you have a WBC hive.
That matters because it is small, smaller than a national.
You should probably be thinking of running it as brood and a half (no QX between the big and little boxes). Or double brood, but you aren't there yet.

That preamble is to indicate that you have some over-wintering planning to do!
But as to the immediate question, I'd say, sure steal a couple of nice frames, replace them with the most 'used' frames from the top 'empty' box (which I'd remove). No need to feed just yet, even oop North, but you do need to be planning how you are going to overwinter, and working in that direction.

Have you treated for varroa? It doesn't sound like it ...

 

[Davidrf]

For small quantities you can't beat a kitchen sieve, a square of muslin and a mixing bowl to catch the filtered honey. For "a warm room" read "a car, closed up and stood in the sun". That is bee proof. Despite having an extractor, when I want to nick some stores from a 14x12 frame, that's what I do. Can be out of the hive and in a jar within 2 hours!

 

[craigavonb]

Why did you have to use the words 'or hire' we are all in this together

 

[Melbee]

Thanks. Just to add... My WBC is on brood and a half, then QE, then a super which was empty at last inspection.

The 'half' was til recently, a mix of brood and food stores but two weeks ago, the frames showed just capped honey - hence my thought of taking a couple of them to try the honey. I'll replace with empty frames.

After doing this, I was planning to treat for varroa at the end of the month and then feed in September. Hope this sounds right.

 

[Dishmop]

With the windows closed - else the bees will come looking for it :-

especially if you have been warming it..

 

[rockdoc]

With the weather we are having here in the south-east I've taken to putting the supers in the car during the day to warm up. Sure makes a difference. Tip was passed on by a friend with family in Switzerland where they use this method.