honey warming cabinet

[eddiespangle]

I want to make a honey warming cabinet but I’m unsure about what to use as a thermostats. I was thinking of using a thermostat from a hot water cylinder – do they work in air?

 

[herefordshirehoney]

Not sure ebay 180698140129 has been meantioned before one end fan other some type of heat source 60 watt bulb usually

 

[Greatbigchicken]

I use a Lucky Reptile Thermo Control 2 II Thermostat with Timer, it's a bit more pricey, but it's easy to use and reliable.

Here are a couple of pics of my set up. I agree that an old fridge adapted would be more efficient and practical, but as it's got to live in our conservatory it also had to be aesthetically pleasing.

 

[melias]

That is absolutely beautiful!

 

[Poly Hive]

I used as you say a immersion tank thermo for years with no issues but if building again I would invest in a more accurate one for safety.

PH

 

[alanf]

Here are a couple of pics of my set up.

I'd never have thought warming cabinet envy would be possible. That is impressive.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I'd never have thought warming cabinet envy would be possible. That is impressive.

 

[susbees]

Oi Greatbigchicken....that cabinet is the same as ours (on the outside). Lives in the room called "the middle room". Different kit inside though.

Great minds eh.......

 

[mbc]

Oi Greatbigchicken....that cabinet is the same as ours (on the outside). Lives in the room called "the middle room". Different kit inside though.

Great minds eh.......

Bring out the gimp ?

 

[Greatbigchicken]

Oi Greatbigchicken....that cabinet is the same as ours (on the outside). Lives in the room called "the middle room". Different kit inside though.

Great minds eh.......

Been shopping in Ikea too then.

 

[alanf]

Been shopping in Ikea too then.

Nicely fitted out though. What did it start as?

 

[Greatbigchicken]

Oi Greatbigchicken....that cabinet is the same as ours (on the outside). Lives in the room called "the middle room". Different kit inside though.

Great minds eh.......

Nicely fitted out though. What did it start as?

It's called a Hol from Ikea, I've also got the smaller one that I keep my smaller beekeeping items in.

 

[Hachi]

Not being a sparky and not very talented in this area have you a wiring diagram GBC I can use?

Thanks

 

[Alabamaeee]

Bring out the gimp ?

The Gimp is sleeping

 

[Greatbigchicken]

Not being a sparky and not very talented in this area have you a wiring diagram GBC I can use?

Thanks

Sorry no diagram, I used a thermostat for use in a vivarium. All we did was wire up the lamps indivually, then plug them into the socket on the thermostat, that then plugs into the wall and the thermostat sensor sits inside cabinet and the control pannel sits on the roof.

No talent needed.

 

[TOBY-3652]

I did same as above works spot on

 

[SixFooter]

Can someone remind me what temperature you should warm honey at

 

[user 6228]

Consider using a PID controller, these can be bought cheaply on Ebay

 

[oliver90owner]

Can someone remind me what temperature you should warm honey at

The simple answer is the minimum you can get away with - and for the shortest time too.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Can someone remind me what temperature you should warm honey at

There's a really useful post from Mike A here http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7472

I'm putting together some useful info for our new members ready for next year. I'd be grateful for some help.

75'F-24'C prepares blossom honey and seed honey for creaming; de-crystallizes semi-granulated honey in jars.
80'F-27'C blossom honey extraction (12 hours minimum)
90'F-32'C heather honey extraction (36 hours)
100'F-38'C liquefies semi crystallized honey (Stir 2-3 times / day)
120'F-49'C liquefies solidified rape honey (Stir 2-3 times / day)
122'F-50'C+ honey will be begin to lose flavour and aroma and spoil.
Over heated honey should only be labelled and sold as cooking honey.

Am I missing any other important temperatures?

I'm also trying to find information on how to lower the water content without damaging the honey without using a dehumidifier or refractometer and was told that gently heating the honey to approx 90'F-32'C or slightly higher for a day before taking a reading with a humidity gauge to would give a rough reading to the water content levels of the honey (Caveat - if heated in a reasonably air sealed cabinet or converted fridge) ?

Best advice of course is to beg, borrow or steal a refractometer to test but I thought I'd ask in case their is another simple method.

Cheers in advance