OSR Honey

[drex]

two weeks ago I extracted 60lbs of honey. We had OSR nearby, but also plenty of other forage. My mentors advice was to extract OSR honey as soon as the field went over. The extraction was without problem.

How long does OSR honey take to set? I do not want to make this honey into soft set if it is not needed

 

[barratt_sab]

The first post in this thread:

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=10494

would suggest 4-6 weeks. I've been prodding the side of a plastic bucket every morning for a week, wondering how long it would take!

 

[Chris Luck]

Most of mine goes hard in about two weeks but it depends on the ration of OSR to other nectars, for example a decent amount of Horse Chestnut in it could keep it soft or on the soft side for months.

Chris

 

[Skyhook]

Most of mine goes hard in about two weeks but it depends on the ration of OSR to other nectars, for example a decent amount of Horse Chestnut in it could keep it soft or on the soft side for months.

Chris

Mine's only been sitting in a bucket for a week, but I get bored easily. What would happen if I seeded it now, before it sets naturally?

 

[BabyBee]

being new to this, my neighbour gave me a jar of OSR honey on Monday, which she'd taken off the day previously.

If i just leave it in the jar for a time will it go hard/set?

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

being new to this, my neighbour gave me a jar of OSR honey on Monday, which she'd taken off the day previously.

If i just leave it in the jar for a time will it go hard/set?

Assuming not soft set, then it will start to harden in a couple of weeks. In a month or two it will be rock hard. Can still be loosened up by gently warming.

 

[Chris Luck]

In a month or two it will be rock hard. Can still be loosened up by gently warming.

Not really necessary and "rock hard" is just a tad over the top, normal room temperature of between 18 and 26°C keeps it soft enough to use. I would never mess with honey by heating or any other form of playing around - straight from the hive, spun or crushed, light filter and potted.

Chris

 

[BabyBee]

thanks for that, didn't know that

 

[RoseCottage]

Chris,
I agree with the not heating to the point which can damage the honey but many use warming cabinets to bring the honey back to a non damaging temperature to make softest honey.
All the best,
Sam