Honey Extraction

Part 1 - Removing Frames from Hive

Honey extraction essentially consists of two parts: removing the honey laden frames from the hive(s) and then removing the honey from the frames. Here is one way, among others, that this is done.

To remove honey containing frames from the hive a smoker may be used to "relax" the bees, When exposed to smoke, bees withdraw and become more subdued. A few puffs can be blown into the entrance as a generall subduer, though the focus should be on the frames that you are about to remove (see photo).

Smoke being blown into frames to subdue bees before removal of honey-laden frames.

Once the bees are substantially out of the honey-laden frames, the hive body is romoved and preferably put down next to an empty hive body. The frames are then worked loose with a hive tool. If the frames are free of bees, then they are inserted directly into the empty hive body. If they have bees on them, the frames are tapped with the ground or entrance stand of the hive so that the bees fall off and can crawl or fly back into the hive. In other words, the goai is to remove the frame, but return all the bees to the hive.

Second box positioned next to box with honey-laden frames.


Wedging frames apart from one another and hive body.


Lifting beautiful, honey filled frame from box and transferring it to second box.

As you are removing the frames, you may notice that some are differently colored. This difference in color is attributable largely to the pollen type they were harvesting at the time. Here are example of light and dark capping from frames that came from the same hive.

Light and dark frames of honey. Color difference is due to harvesting from different flowers (pollen sources).

Once the second box is filled, it is preferably taken to a cool, dry, dark spot, for example, a basement that is not too damp. It can remain there until extraction, normally within 1-4 weeks.

 
Clean, dry basement space (or the like) is excellent for storing honey filled framed until extraction time.

The honey filled frames will often be a bit sticky, from stray honey. Everything cleans up easily with soap and water.

Part 2 - Removing Honey from Frames

Removing honey from frames consists of "uncapping" the cells of honey, spinning those frames with an extractor, and then sieving/settling the honey to remove bits of wax, etc.

 
An uncapping knife and an uncapping scratcher

Uncapping can be done with an uncapping knife - these may electric (ie, heated) or not, an uncapping scratcher or a fork or similar item. Many smaller hive owners us an uncapping scratcher. Whatever the tool, the goal is to break on opening in the capped honey cell so that the honey may flow out when on the extractor.

 
Team uncapping done with forks at Zenger Farm's Bee Day

Once the frames are uncapped, they may be placed in an extractor with the uncapped side facing out. Extractors may be motorized on hand crank. Hand crank extractor are typically 2, 3 or 4 frame. A larger 4 frame hand crank extractor is shown in the photograph below. Note balanced positioning of frames.

 
Frames placed in extractor and then spun.

Once you start turning the crank honey will flow. It is helpful to have another person to hold the extractor while it's spun. Honey and little bits of wax will flow out.

 
Honey flowing out of extractor.

The honey may next be passed through cheese cloth or a metal or nylon sieve to remove pieces of wax. Another technique is to let the honey settle for a few days and then skim out the wax pieces (which float to the surface). The final steps are pouring your honey into jars and savoring it.

Bees wax separated out of honey by pouring freshly extracted honey through cheese cloth or another sieve.

 
Jars of yummy honey, the final product.