Moisture content

[Hivetool2021]

Hi all
Im after a bit of advise, I have finished my extraction this year and got the results back from the honey monitoring scheme, they have stated the sample sent is 21%, my hygrometer showed at the time was 17.5%

Is there any tips on how to reduce tge moisture content of the honey in the 15lb bucket where the sample came from.

Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Anduril]

You can use a honey warming cabinet with a fan set at 35°C and reduce the moisture that way, or a small room and a dehumidifier.
Your refractometer needs calibrating, you could use liquid paraffin from a pharmacy and the calibration is 24.5% water, or extra virgin olive oil and calibrate it to, I believe 71% brix.

 

[Ian123]

Don’t panic just yet it may have absorbed some whilst with them. As above recalibrate, and if the honeys for you or friends that’s probably good enough.

 

[GuyNir]

What is your honey water % now? Is it still saying 17.5%? Have you tried checking with extra virgin olive oil?

 

[enrico]

The difference between the top and bottom of my settling tank can be scary! Today I had 16% at the bottom and 21% at the top. All frames were perfectly capped. I sell low percentage and keep the rest for myself. There is nothing wrong with it and only twice in 40 years have I had honey that smells of fermentation which I ditched. Don't worry to much!

 

[Curly green finger's]

The difference between the top and bottom of my settling tank can be scary! Today I had 16% at the bottom and 21% at the top. All frames were perfectly capped. I sell low percentage and keep the rest for myself. There is nothing wrong with it and only twice in 40 years have I had honey that smells of fermentation which I ditched. Don't worry to much!

I agree with enrico perhaps give it a good stur and do another test after calibration.
I've had honey 19.5 and it didn't ferment.
Dont be to worried if the frames were capped.
The girls wouldn't of capped it if it wasn't ripe enough.

 

[Hivetool2021]

Thank you, do you take the bucket lid off fully or leave slightly open,

You can use a honey warming cabinet with a fan set at 35°C and reduce the moisture that way, or a small room and a dehumidifier.
Your refractometer needs calibrating, you could use liquid paraffin from a pharmacy and the calibration is 24.5% water, or extra virgin olive oil and calibrate it to, I believe 71% brix.

 

[Anduril]

I take it fully off.

 

[oliver90owner]

It might help if you give details of your extraction - like whether the were uncapped cells. If so, what time you took the honey frames from the hive, etc.

 

[thorn]

We've been extracting today and have found a high water content in fully capped frames from three apiaries, 19.8 being the lowest. My bee buddy's spare bedroom will become a warming cabinet.

 

[The Poot]

We've been extracting today and have found a high water content in fully capped frames from three apiaries, 19.8 being the lowest. My bee buddy's spare bedroom will become a warming cabinet.

I have a similar issue with fully capped frames at 19% and overall extracted at 19.5%
I‘m struggling to get the bucket down despite dehumidifier for two days. I will persist.

 

[Hivetool2021]

I have a similar issue with fully capped frames at 19% and overall extracted at 19.5%
I‘m struggling to get the bucket down despite dehumidifier for two days. I will persist.

Similar here, after 3 days it's down to 18.2%

 

[Erichalfbee]

18.2%

That's fine. You can stop

 

[Hivetool2021]

That's fine. You can stop

Thank you what's the absolute maximum percentage that can be used , thank you

 

[enrico]

Thank you what's the absolute maximum percentage that can be used , thank you

You can use any percentage but it needs to be under 19 and preferably less than 18 to sell, anything higher use yourself for eating or cooking. All you are trying to stop is fermentation.freezing will stop that so you can use it yourself for as long as you have some in the freezer!

 

[Newbeeneil]

You can use any percentage but it needs to be under 19 and preferably less than 18 to sell, anything higher use yourself for eating or cooking. All you are trying to stop is fermentation.freezing will stop that so you can use it yourself for as long as you have some in the freezer!

20% is the legal limited I believe but I always try to get mine as close to 18% as possible.
I'm having the same problem. Capped frames but values of 19-20% in some apiaries. Is it the fact we have had so much rain this year and the bees are having problems reducing the MC?
My buckets are going in my warming cabinet.

 

[The Poot]

August has been particularly humid, even on dry days. Most days have been overcast here. I assume it has been more difficult for the bees to get the moisture down, especially as they are in a “humid atmosphere” box to begin with. For once ventilation at the top might have helped.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

For once ventilation at the top might have helped.

Probably would have made it harder for bees to maintain the correct atmospheric conditions in the hive

 

[thorn]

August has been particularly humid, even on dry days. Most days have been overcast here. I assume it has been more difficult for the bees to get the moisture down, especially as they are in a “humid atmosphere” box to begin with. For once ventilation at the top might have helped.

But the bees capped the honey, apparently before it was ready.
Could it be the humidity that is the cause of the problem that some of us seem to have? Could it be that the forage was so frequently wet?
Or could it be that they're planning a party and want a good stock of fermented honey to get things of to a lively start?

 

[enrico]

I say again, just because your honey is .... Damp...doesn't mean it ...will....ferment. it is luck of the draw. You just have to keep an eye on it!
I haven't done it but I believe you can heat it for a short time to a certain temperature to kill the yeasts and that also will stop fermentation.