How capped is capped?

[italic63]

Hi everyone.
Does each frame in a super need to be 100% capped before I harvest?
I don't have drying equipment although it's very warm and dry weather where I am. I only have one hive and one of the two supers looks ready but out of 9 frames only 5 are 100% capped on both sides and the others less so varying from 20% to 80% capped
Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

no - if over 50% is capped, there's a good chance it's ripe, just do the shake test - remove a frame, hold it by the lugs over the other frames with the top bar facing down and give it a few short sharp jerks - if no honey (or just the odd drop) lands on the top bars of the other frames, it's ripe

 

[italic63]

no - if over 50% is capped, there's a good chance it's ripe, just do the shake test - remove a frame, hold it by the lugs over the other frames with the top bar facing down and give it a few short sharp jerks - if no hiney (or just the odd drop) lands on the top bars of the other frames, it's ripe

Excellent suggestion. I was planning to harvest on Saturday. I'll definitely try that!

 

[enrico]

Excellent suggestion. I was planning to harvest on Saturday. I'll definitely try that!

That's how we all did it before refractometers but they are only a few quid on eBay and well worth the money.

 

[italic63]

Yes I have one of those but don't know how to calibrate it. I tested some honey I had at home and it tested 16.8% so I guess it's calibrated

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Yes I have one of those but don't know how to calibrate it. I tested some honey I had at home and it tested 16.8% so I guess it's calibrated

it should be pre calibrated - all you need to do is test it occasionally using something of a known w/c Olive oil is usually recommended

 

[italic63]

it should be pre calibrated - all you need to do is test it occasionally using something of a known w/c Olive oil is usually recommended

"known"...I'm not sure what olive oil is supposed to be

 

[Erichalfbee]

"known"...I'm not sure what olive oil is supposed to be

Extra Virgin is 27%

 

[italic63]

Is there anything you don't know??

Thank you

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Extra Virgin is 27%

Thanks Dani - I was summoned away by SWMBO

 

[Erichalfbee]

Good lad. Get your priorities right

 

[polymath]

Hi everyone.
Does each frame in a super need to be 100% capped before I harvest?
I don't have drying equipment although it's very warm and dry weather where I am. I only have one hive and one of the two supers looks ready but out of 9 frames only 5 are 100% capped on both sides and the others less so varying from 20% to 80% capped
Thanks in advance for your advice.

Ebay, buy a refractomer, cost you circa £20 set it up with Virgin olive oil, quick and easy and then test, i have extracted honey with less than 10% capped that was 17% it is the only sure test.

 

[italic63]

I measured the honey before extracting...uncapped measured between 22 and 24% so i left it in the hive. Capped was fine.

 

[italic63]

Extra Virgin is 27%

I measured the honey before extracting...uncapped measured between 22 and 24% so i left it in the hive. Capped was fine. Only extracted 6 frames from that super. Still got my first 20lbs of honey!