Showing chunk honey

[alfazer]

What height should the chunk be?
Or in other words, how far from the top of the lid should it be, if you know what I mean.
Thanks

 

[masterBK]

The chunk should not be emerging from the surface like an iceberg but should be the biggest bit of comb that will fit in the jar (50% of the contents of the jar) and be cleanly cut with no jagged edges. The chunk should completely capped on both sides with nice white cappings and be clearly visible so the liquid honey surrounding it must be clear and bright not dull or cloudy

There is a difference of opinion amongst judges as to whether there should be the same honey in comb as in the liquid surrounding the chunk. Personally I think a contrast is better eg Heather honey chunk with a light honey like Lime or Borage surrounding it
There should be no crystallisation in the liquid honey or the comb (so Oil seed rape honey is not suitable). .
No floating debris or bits of broken wax anywhere and no cells of pollen in the chunk or evidence of waxmoth or Braula (or earwigs!)
Comb cut the right way up ? Some judges consider it a fault to put the chunk in sideways

 

[alfazer]

Thanks for your reply master.
Focussing on the height aspect, I'm going to guess top of chunk just below the surface of the liquid but not visible under the edge of the screwed down lid.

 

[BeeJayBee]

Never tried it, so don't know if it works, but I'm told that you can heat the jar so the 'chunk' melts onto the base, which keeps it still.

 

[Illo]

I've been trying to prepare this for a forthcoming show. I tried the heating trick; difficult to get right. Too hot and a right old mess ensues. Not hot enough, and the chunks easily dislodge and float to the top of the honey.

There are some good you tube vids on preparation of chunk honey. They make it look easy, but I suspect to get it right is far from simple. Getting the comb the right way up is important I believe; so that the cells slope upwards. Oh, and align the edges of the comb with the seams in the jar.

I can 't begin to describe how long I've spent picking bits of wax out of these damned things with tweezers, only to see the combs float off a few days later...

Gradually losing the will to live!

LJ

 

[Illo]

Our branch honey show tonight, and the chunk honey that has caused so much grief won best in show. Was it all worth it? It has been a real pain, but I think so.

But much better...some newbies that I have been mentoring this year entered a couple of classes and won the light honey class and the chairmans award for most points in the novice class. So chuffed for them!

LJ

 

[itma]

Our branch honey show tonight, and the chunk honey that has caused so much grief won best in show. Was it all worth it? It has been a real pain, but I think so.

But much better...some newbies that I have been mentoring this year entered a couple of classes and won the light honey class and the chairmans award for most points in the novice class. So chuffed for them!

Congratulations!

But as to whether it is worthwhile for non-OCD sufferers, I dunno ...

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I've been told off for showing my chunk at association meetings

 

[Illo]

 

[BeeJayBee]

Our branch honey show tonight, and the chunk honey that has caused so much grief won best in show. Was it all worth it? It has been a real pain, but I think so.

Congratulations!

So, what did you do to stop it from floating?

 

[beebreeder]

We had the Wiltshire Honey show Saturday and the judge did open judging of some classes in front of the audience, he said the chunk should stand upright and the trick is to have the lid hold it in place as its tightened, he is a NHS senior judge.