Should I buy a refractometer?

[Griffo]

Just wondering if I can get by without one in my first year of honey production (I hope!)

 

[VEG]

Well without one you are just guessing the water content.

 

[itma]

At well under £20 inc delivery from China, it hardly makes sense to postpone purchasing one, does it?

 

[Griffo]

It might make sense if you haven't got a spare £20

 

[VEG]

Maybe update your details to show if you have any hives, its a basic thing that you should have if you are planning on selling any honey.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Ask your club if you've got one you can borrow/hire/rent for this year, then ask for one as a gift.

 

[Hivemaker.]

Maybe update your details to show if you have any hives.

You obviously suspect that he does not have any hives of bees to produce the honey he wishes to test.

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=24692

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28927

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Must say i have one - but hardly ever use it

 

[oliver90owner]

Likewise to JBM.

Twenty years ago, refractometers were unheard of. Only inexperienced beeks should really need them and they are likely the ones that wouldn't know how to interpret the results.

 

[Davelin]

Likewise to JBM.

Twenty years ago, refractometers were unheard of. Only inexperienced beeks should really need them and they are likely the ones that wouldn't know how to interpret the results.

Bit harsh! Twenty years ago Ipads were unheard of too, but it's useful to write this reply on one. Likewise a refractometer, useful to check the water content for reassurance if you are selling however experienced/inexperienced. Very simple to use and cheap to buy.

 

[Heather]

Never used one. Honey capped always seemed good. Uncapped but full... shake frame and if no loss, then good to go.
Sell all I can extract.
P.S. Weather forecast looking good.. heatwave late May so maybe at last a bumper year for honey after the last 2 poor ones

 

[Tom Bick]

I managed for eight years without the need to use one and then last year I had loads of uncapped honey, so I borrowed one and after testing the honey some of it had a lower mc than the capped honey. I will probably get one this year, along with the new shiny extractor I have been promising myself this past several years.

 

[Heather]

Tom, my best investment.. 11 frame electric extractor.... gets more honey out so pays for itself in the end.

and.. Taking your lovely observation hive out again today. Start of busy year, lots of bookings.

 

[YorkshireBees]

Although some say it is not essential as others have already said it gives you confidence that the honey you are extracting / bottling is of a correct water content.

I find it useful as I extract to make a not of the water % going into each bucket.
Come the time when I want to jar the honey I can always mix a bucket with a slightly higher % with one that was low to average it out.

 

[oliver90owner]

Davelin,

Not harsh at all. You don't need an I pad thingy. People want them, not need them. Exactly the same as mobile phones. Some may be advantageous for safety, but they do not need to be stuck to peoples' ears all the time.

Same with refractometers.

I have two. One honey range and one for wine musts (for checking initial sugar content mainly). I use my wine refractometer more than my honey one. But I still mostly rely on a hydrometer, the lower tech option that has been around for many years.

If honey is capped, it will be good. Bees are not stupid. If it is uncapped, it may not be, but the 'shake test' is perfectly adequate in most situations.

Needs and wants should not be muddled. You don't need a refractometer for a few jars of honey and if trying tocut things so fine, the new beek is likely to run into trouble anyway.

 

[Davelin]

OP said 'should I buy'

I said 'useful'

No mention of want or need!!

 

[Arfermo]

Just wondering if I can get by without one in my first year of honey production (I hope!)

If you have only just started beekeeping you should have other priorities I think. Providing you only extract frames that have 80% or more of capped cells the probability will be that the water content of the honey will be marketable as is. In passing, the extraction process reduces the water content juat a little too. If you are woorried about the uncapped cells being too watery, the test is a reasonable shake in a horizontal plane and if none or very little falls out it will be OK for bottling - or just leave it to settle mature in a bucket until you are ready. My refractometer came from Hong Kong. Cheapest source as far I know - about £11 some 3- 4 years ago.

 

[Tom Bick]

Tom, my best investment.. 11 frame electric extractor.... gets more honey out so pays for itself in the end.

and.. Taking your lovely observation hive out again today. Start of busy year, lots of bookings.

That's great heather I have one myself and it's great to see people's interest in looking at the bees.

 

[psafloyd]

Likewise to JBM.

Twenty years ago, refractometers were unheard of. Only inexperienced beeks should really need them and they are likely the ones that wouldn't know how to interpret the results.

I'd imagine, RAB, that 20 years ago, refractometers were not available so cheaply from China.

I agree that the shake test is a good indicator, but with the H&S Stasi so hot these days, should you get complaints about a batch that ferments, you could at least show you'd done all you could by measuring and recording the water content at time of extraction/bottling.

 

[BeeJayBee]

I agree that the shake test is a good indicator, but with the H&S Stasi so hot these days, should you get complaints about a batch that ferments, you could at least show you'd done all you could by measuring and recording the water content at time of extraction/bottling.

the shake test is a good indicator, but some honeys will cling to the cells even if the water content is higher than 20%. Heather honey will ferment even though it isn't meant to. The lids buckle upwards, the honey erupts from the jar and makes an awful, smelly, mess.

It's unlikely Griffo will be selling any honey this year, but there might be enough to gift to friends. It would be a great pity if it fermented in the jars.

For selling, the regulations are clear. If the water content hasn't been measured then the beekeeper won't know what it is.

http://www.bee-craft.com/from-hive-to-honeypot-part-5-heating-hmf-and-labelling/

Testing may be appropriate. Refractometers are now inexpensive, readily available and will give quick and accurate readings of the moisture content in honey. There are legal requirements about moisture levels and the test is quick, simple and reliable.

Note the readings that you have taken for each batch of honey against the lot number or some other identifier. It may be appropriate to test each bucket of honey. Any that has a higher than 23% water content must be sold as baker’s honey and labelled appropriately.

You should calibrate the refractometer before use and keep a record.

This is the only test that small-scale beekeepers can reasonably undertake. Larger operations, importers, etc, may want to put testing regimes in place under their HACCP procedures.​