Honey extraction services

[BeeBelle]

Hi all,

Was just wondering if anyone can recommend any honey extraction services? I have my own spinner and did the lot myself last year which took a hell of a long time, and I have more this year than last so wondering if anyone can recommend some mass spinning services? I’ve looked online and only seen one or two places advertising it and then getting no response when I contact them…

 

[Erichalfbee]

How many supers?

 

[ericbeaumont]

recommend some mass spinning services

Drawback of this option is the risk of disease transmission, so you would have to satisfy yourself that the cleaning regime in-between customers was exacting.

took a hell of a long time

have my own spinner

Electric or manual?

 

[BeeBelle]

How many supers?

About 100 or so maybe more

 

[BeeBelle]

Drawback of this option is the risk of disease transmission, so you would have to satisfy yourself that the cleaning regime in-between customers was exacting.



Electric or manual?

Yes I would have to have a conversation with them about that. I have an electric spinner already.

 

[Erichalfbee]

About 100 or so maybe more

I see your point

 

[pargyle]

About 100 or so maybe more

If you have the kit and the space to process them it might be more cost effective to pay someone to do the work for you or with you ... it's not rocket science -- the worst bit is uncapping - you might think about an uncapper ..

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/uncapper-for-national-frames.56293/

With two people working in tandem it's less of a chore.

 

[BeeBelle]

If you have the kit and the space to process them it might be more cost effective to pay someone to do the work for you or with you ... it's not rocket science -- the worst bit is uncapping - you might think about an uncapper ..

https://beekeepingforum.co.uk/threads/uncapper-for-national-frames.56293/

With two people working in tandem it's less of a chore.

I know how to do it and have an uncapper myself, and have used this for the past two seasons with my spinner and family members helping but as I have got more and more supers year on year it’s now taking too long and was looking to see if anyone knew of anything on a bigger scale. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[ericbeaumont]

looked online and only seen one or two places advertising

Unless the extraction service is very local another tiresome chore would appear: the labour, time and fuel to shift 100+ supers any significant distance and back. Better to spend the time & money to train a local youngster willing to learn a skill (though that also may not be so easy to find).

 

[roche]

The losses from extraction services are possibly quite high, due to scale and wash downs...

 

[enrico]

Am I missing something. Reduce the amount of hives to a level that suits your lifestyle

 

[Niv]

If you are unable to find a suitable service and are a member of the local BKA maybe its something you can spin (see what I did there) into a training thing for new beekeepers (or just an opportunity for a few extra quid from more experienced beekeepers), I would suggest paying them for their time, but you would pay for the extraction service anyway so that shouldn't be a blocker.

 

[Jimmy]

If you are unable to find a suitable service and are a member of the local BKA maybe its something you can spin (see what I did there) into a training thing for new beekeepers (or just an opportunity for a few extra quid from more experienced beekeepers), I would suggest paying them for their time, but you would pay for the extraction service anyway so that shouldn't be a blocker.

100 supers is several days work, at least it would be for me. It's a ton of honey minimum. Enrico is spot on.

 

[Niv]

100 supers is several days work, at least it would be for me. It's a ton of honey minimum. Enrico is spot on.

Absolutely he is. I had presumed as you hadn't come to that conclusion before starting the thread that you didn't want to reduce your hive count for whatever reason - second income and/or you had an outlet for the honey for example.

I got up to a dozen hives a couple of years ago. I found it too much work when coupled with a young family and fulltime job that involves staying away frequently so I have reduced down to ~4 hives. Much more manageable and much happier for it

 

[plain_hunt]

Look for a semi commercial extraction set up. Talk to your local bee farmers for ideas.

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

Hi all,

Was just wondering if anyone can recommend any honey extraction services? I have my own spinner and did the lot myself last year which took a hell of a long time, and I have more this year than last so wondering if anyone can recommend some mass spinning services? I’ve looked online and only seen one or two places advertising it and then getting no response when I contact them…

Give us a call, could possibly arrange something for when we have finished our own as not far from you,
Or you are welcome to visit to look at our setup.

 

[Jimmy]

Give us a call, could possibly arrange something for when we have finished our own as not far from you,
Or you are welcome to visit to look at our setup.

That's good of you.

David Stott (Tomlow bees) used to offer an extraction service, based near Warwick. I don't know if he still does. He was charging £5 per super
I'm sure I've seen social media posts from a beefarmer based in Staffordshire who offered extraction services but a quick google drew a blank.
10+ years ago a beefarmer local to me (Chris Broad) talked about a cost price of £10 per super as this reflected the investment he'd made in extraction facilities and time.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

10+ years ago a beefarmer local to me (Chris Broad) talked about a cost price of £10 per super as this reflected the investment he'd made in extraction facilities and time.

well ChrisB does have a pretty impressive setup at Saltway bees, I think he also removed the brewing kit he had in there which gives him even more room
He hasn't posted on here for years

 

[Jimmy]

well ChrisB does have a pretty impressive setup at Saltway bees, I think he also removed the brewing kit he had in there which gives him even more room
He hasn't posted on here for years

Is he still active as a beefarmer?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

not sure - I believe so