Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => NATURAL & ORGANIC BEEKEEPING METHODS => Topic started by: The Bix on August 21, 2013, 02:41:52 pm

Title: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: The Bix on August 21, 2013, 02:41:52 pm

I'm am extracting honey this weekend.  What should the temperature of the honeycomb in foundationless frames be before I uncap and throw them...uhh sorry, gently place them into the radial extractor.

I have been gradually moving everything to foundationless frames and many, if not most of my frames are foundationless.  Last year hardly got any honey and it wasn't much of a factor, but this year is a different story.  I have a honey bucket heater into which I can also hang my foundationless frames to warm them up if the ambient temp isn't cooperating.  What temp should I set it for?

Any other tips for foundationless extraction are welcomed as well.

Thanks!

--JB

Title: Re: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: Michael Bush on August 21, 2013, 03:46:34 pm

Room temperature is good.  80 F is probably better.  90 F might require you to start out more gently...

Title: Re: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: The Bix on August 22, 2013, 12:23:36 am

Thank you Michael...thought you'd weigh in.  :)

Title: Re: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: The Bix on August 25, 2013, 11:25:12 pm

Quote from: Michael Bush on August 21, 2013, 03:46:34 pm

Room temperature is good.  80 F is probably better.  90 F might require you to start out more gently...

Average temp in my extraction area was 80F all weekend, extracted about 400 lbs. of honey, no problems with the foundationless combs in the extractor...none.

Title: Re: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: Brother Dave on November 05, 2013, 09:10:19 pm

Thanks that is good to know.
I still feel the need to be gentle with my foundation less comb.
Do you handle it like a top bar comb?

Title: Re: Temperature of foundationless frames for extracting...
Post by: Joe D on November 06, 2013, 01:05:27 am

Bix, I have been going to send you a pic or two, just haven't got to it.  So here you go, still haven't slung any honey since mods.
(http://s24.postimg.org/wvwj528mp/honey_extractor_003.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/wvwj528mp/)

(http://s7.postimg.org/xtrhv0epz/honey_extractor_002.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/xtrhv0epz/)

(http://s2.postimg.org/4ujs2o0sl/honey_extractor_012.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/4ujs2o0sl/)
Hope to attach a motor and fix top where it will hinge in middle this winter.

Joe