First extraction

[Monkey]

I'm going to do my first extraction and jar filling soon. What is the base level of kit that you'd recommend? I only have one hive at the moment, with two full supers and one new empty super. I hope to get back to two hives next year, and don't plan to go over that.

My thinking is that I need an uncapping tray, an extractor, a settling tank and strainers, and some jars.

Is there anything else that you'd think is essential?

Thank you.

(Sorry, I meant to post this is the beginners section)

 

[Swift Nick]

I used similar kit to what you suggest, with the addition of a spare bucket for the cappings (it was useful to have but not essential), a piece of wood with a hole in to support the frame across the bucket when uncapping, a slender carving knife worked well for me for uncapping, we tried a comb also but for us the knife worked better. I also used a plastic “Really Usefull” type of box for the empty frames prior to reassembling them back in the supers.
Good luck.

 

[Millet]

I'm going to do my first extraction and jar filling soon. What is the base level of kit that you'd recommend? I only have one hive at the moment, with two full supers and one new empty super. I hope to get back to two hives next year, and don't plan to go over that.

My thinking is that I need an uncapping tray, an extractor, a settling tank and strainers, and some jars.

Is there anything else that you'd think is essential?

Thank you.

(Sorry, I meant to post this is the beginners section)

A new washing up dish will do for a uncapping tray... i don't use a settling tank i drain the extracted honey straight into 10L buckets through a double mesh filter and leave it stand for two days.. i then get some cling film and lay it over the scum that rises to the top and slowly peel it of (the scum sticks to the cling film)..
I then leave it in the buckets for a further 3wks to see if it sets or stays runny..
You will also need a uncapping tool of your choice.. i prefare a long thin really sharp carving knife..and a refractometer to make sure the moisture percentage is below 20% unless you are extracting heather honey.
Good luck.

 

[Beecat]

Don't forget the cardboard on the floor, or a tarp.

 

[oliver90owner]

You don’t need half of the items stated above.
Extracting only capped frames will eliminate the need for a refractometer.

A settling tank is not a priority a food grade plastic bucket is perfectly adequate for storing your extracted honey.

You will need an extractor, but borrowing/hiring is a possibility - contact your local BKA.

A largish cooking dish can double as an uncapping tray, or simply use an uncapping fork, so virtually unnecessary.

A kitchen sieve, or two, can be adequate for straining the honey - a straining cloth might even be useful, dependent on how the frames are uncapped and how runny the honey might be.

Before I had a proper settling tank, I purchased a plastic honey valve and fitted it to a plastic bucket. Filtered from there, after settling, can remove most settled bits and leave most of the scum behind. If you extract 20kg of honey, there will be an amount that will not be bottled without further attention.

For uncapped honey, the ‘shake test’ is more than adequate and a refractometer is useful only if you are competent with its operation - for any honey, and not excluding heather honey.

Anyone, particularly an inexperienced person, bottling mixed floral honey should not extract anywhere near 20%. ‘Flying far too close to the wind’ if you do, risking fermentation of your honey.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

I'm going to do my first extraction and jar filling soon. What is the base level of kit that you'd recommend? I only have one hive at the moment, with two full supers and one new empty super. I hope to get back to two hives next year, and don't plan to go over that.

My thinking is that I need an uncapping tray, an extractor, a settling tank and strainers, and some jars.

Is there anything else that you'd think is essential?

Thank you.

(Sorry, I meant to post this is the beginners section)

I've never had an uncapping tray. I uncap over a honey bucket with an outlet valve, using an old fashioned bread saw (knife).
Having a refractometer is useful and you can double check water content along the way. Not vital but reassuring. It's a test method with astounding simplicity as long as the instrument is correctly calibrated.
Uncapped frames go straight into the extractor. After extraction they are placed in an empty super.
The extractor is drained through a two mesh strainer into a honey bucket with outlet valve. Similarly drain the capping bucket through the strainer. Let it stand to allow air and scum to rise to the top then remove the scum. Enough honey buckets with valves is a real benefit.
If the honey sets over the next week or so use dough hooks on an electric mixer several times to break down the crystal structure before jarring.
Have plenty of clean tea towels to cover things over to keep flies and other insects out especially during straining.
Buy your jars with lids from your association if you can. Mine sell 1lb jars with lids for £21 per half gross box.
Enjoy your honey.

 

[Beefriendly]

Extracting only capped frames will eliminate the need for a refractometer.

.

In most circumstances you would be correct.
I had capped OSR at 22% water this season.I presumed because it was coming in so fast they where just processing it as fast as they could.
Also had the same on the heather with capped at 25% a few seasons back.
I would say a refractometer is pretty essential bit of kit.

 

[Popparand]

Easibee have a 6 frame radial extractor for £280.00 on Amazon. They say it's Italian design and manufacture (so 6 speeds back and one forward, like their tanks). Looks well made. If so it's a good deal.

 

[Beefriendly]

(so 6 speeds back and one forward,l.

It's manual, you provide the "speeds". If it was motorised at that price it would be a snip.

 

[Ian123]

Easibee have a 6 frame radial extractor for £280.00 on Amazon. They say it's Italian design and manufacture (so 6 speeds back and one forward, like their tanks). Looks well made. If so it's a good deal.

Bf Its a joke!!!!!!lol

 

[Beefriendly]

Bf Its a joke!!!!!!lol

Ahhh...missed the tank reference.....

 

[Millet]

You don’t need half of the items stated above.
Extracting only capped frames will eliminate the need for a refractometer.

Not in all cases.

 

[Curly green fingers]

I'm going to do my first extraction and jar filling soon. What is the base level of kit that you'd recommend? I only have one hive at the moment, with two full supers and one new empty super. I hope to get back to two hives next year, and don't plan to go over that.

My thinking is that I need an uncapping tray, an extractor, a settling tank and strainers, and some jars.

Is there anything else that you'd think is essential?

Thank you.

(Sorry, I meant to post this is the beginners section)

A spatchula for scraping all the honey out after extraction

 

[Curly green fingers]

A new washing up dish will do for a uncapping tray... i don't use a settling tank i drain the extracted honey straight into 10L buckets through a double mesh filter and leave it stand for two days.. i then get some cling film and lay it over the scum that rises to the top and slowly peel it of (the scum sticks to the cling film)..
I then leave it in the buckets for a further 3wks to see if it sets or stays runny..
You will also need a uncapping tool of your choice.. i prefare a long thin really sharp carving knife..and a refractometer to make sure the moisture percentage is below 20% unless you are extracting heather honey.
Good luck.

.. i then get some cling film and lay it over the scum that rises to the top and slowly peel it of (the scum sticks to the cling film)..
Some one was only telling me this the other day great advice . It works a treat !

 

[oliver90owner]

In most circumstances you would be correct.
I had capped OSR at 22% water this season.I presumed because it was coming in so fast they where just processing it as fast as they could.
Also had the same on the heather with capped at 25% a few seasons back.
I would say a refractometer is pretty essential bit of kit.

Rubbish. They have only been routinely available for about twenty years. Bees have been capping honey for millenia. Just shows there are still lots around that don’t know how to use them properly.

 

[peterbees]

I'm going to do my first extraction and jar filling soon. What is the base level of kit that you'd recommend? I only have one hive at the moment, with two full supers and one new empty super. I hope to get back to two hives next year, and don't plan to go over that.

My thinking is that I need an uncapping tray, an extractor, a settling tank and strainers, and some jars.

Is there anything else that you'd think is essential?

Thank you.

(Sorry, I meant to post this is the beginners section)

I would include a digital kitchen scale, approx £12 from amazon. I tare and weigh every jar as I fill it. I fill each jar to 1lb 0¼ounce, plus or minus ¼ ounce. The scale soon pays for itself, because you are not overfilling the jars. Filling in pounds and ounces is much easier than filling in grams. Of course, the jar is labelled in grams.

 

[Eyeman]

This set up seems to run smoothly

 

[Beefriendly]

Just shows there are still lots around that don’t know how to use them properly.

If you are implying I don't know how to calibrate and use a refractometer you are clutching at straws matey.

 

[Murox]

I think you have a good selection of ideas in the answers provided. You could ask if your local association or fellow keeper has an extractor you could use. There are extractors of various qualities offered on amazon and ebay. Some of the chinese ones are ok value, but you won't really know until you get your hands on one. I even saw one recently based on a large food grade plastic bucket.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

I'm pretty sure it was Erica who gave me this tip.

Uncap with a heat gun (if you have one or want to spend a few quid).

SO much better than destroying comb with knives etc, unless you really want white wax (no cappings to speak of).