Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Kris^ on June 06, 2006, 10:07:22 pm

Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Kris^ on June 06, 2006, 10:07:22 pm
I'll be pulling frames of cut comb in the next week or so.  Do you freeze the comb before or after you cut it from the frame?

-- Kris
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Brian D. Bray on June 08, 2006, 12:30:02 am
Why freeze it at all?  Cold makes honey sugar (granulate), just cut and wrap and enjoy the mess.  Think of it as an adult mudpie.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: qandle on June 08, 2006, 12:58:26 am
I think I remember reading somewhere that with one of the packaged comb systems -- Ross Rounds -- or something like that, there was some type of freezing as part of the process. Now I remember. Here it is:

"In most areas one additional step is necessary to protect the section from wax moth damage: the covered sections are placed in plastic bags, tightly sealed, and placed in a freezer at 10 degrees F or less (0 is best) for at least twenty-four hours. After freezing, the sections are allowed to come up to room temperature before opening the bag in order to avoid condensation on the sections. The sections may be left frozen indefinitely without crystallization, until removed for market."

Anyway...

Quint
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Brian D. Bray on June 08, 2006, 01:26:35 am
Well, I'll be a Monkey's Uncle.  Not having done Ross rounds (I gave up on combed honey production in the 60's) I've never heard of that.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Kris^ on June 08, 2006, 08:12:44 am
I had not considered the possibility of condensation on the combs resulting from just putting the whole super into the freezer.  Thanks for the info!

Hope those containers get here soon . . .   :D

-- Kris
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: amymcg on June 08, 2006, 08:12:44 am
I've also heard people say that it's easier to cut the cut comb if it's frozen, I guess that it won't make such a mess when cutting if you are actually cutting the comb, not using ross rounds.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Michael Bush on June 10, 2006, 12:45:16 am
>I'll be pulling frames of cut comb in the next week or so. Do you freeze the comb before or after you cut it from the frame?

I cut it and then freeze it.

>Why freeze it at all?

Wax worms.

> Cold makes honey sugar (granulate)

the 50's F will, but freezing will not, in fact it will stop it.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Kris^ on June 10, 2006, 08:32:08 am
Quote from: Michael Bush
> Cold makes honey sugar (granulate)

the 50's F will, but freezing will not, in fact it will stop it.


This raises another questions, then.  I market my honey as "Raw Unfiltered", with all the natural enzymes intact.  Our customers seek it out for that reason.  I know that large producers heat their honey to prevent crystalization.  From what you're saying, freezing the honey will do the same thing and thus extend the shelf life.  Heating destroys the enzymes, though.  Do you know what effect freezing might have on the chemical properties of honey?

My initial thinking is the enzymes are preserved, else why do we need to blanche produce before freezing?  But my logic may be faulty.

-- Kris
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Apis629 on June 10, 2006, 12:40:03 pm
If your concerned about the effects of freezing the comb, why not make a "chunk-comb" package.  Basicly, it's a peice of cut comb the width of the jar lid and almost the length of the jar and it's surrounded in honey.  I esspecially like these packages and they make a welcome treat on a warm scone.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Michael Bush on June 10, 2006, 03:36:10 pm
>From what you're saying, freezing the honey will do the same thing

Not the SAME thing.   Once the processers have heated the honey it will set on the shelf for years without crystalizing.  Freezing it only postpones things until you thaw it.  In other words, if it would have crystalized in six months it will now crystalize six months after you take it out of the freezer.

>and thus extend the shelf life.

So the shelf life hasn't changed at all, but it's been postponed.

> Heating destroys the enzymes, though.

Yes it does.

> Do you know what effect freezing might have on the chemical properties of honey?

No it does not.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Brian D. Bray on June 11, 2006, 08:08:37 am
Even us old duffers learn something new now and then.  Thanks.
Title: Cut comb question
Post by: Kris^ on June 11, 2006, 08:25:31 am
I understand now.  Thanks for the info.

-- Kris