Author Topic: Cleaning the Extractor (Read 10586 times)

bernsad · « **on:** November 26, 2011, 06:35:15 pm »

Hi guys,

Quick question, what's the best way of cleaning your extractor after a session? Or do you just close the lid and leave it 'til next time?

lilyfrog · « **Reply #1 on:** November 26, 2011, 07:05:32 pm »

Before you start extracting, put your garden hose out in the sun, make sure it is full of water.

After you finished hose it out with hot water.

this is how i clean ours. works a treat.

bud1 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 26, 2011, 07:21:27 pm »

lid if it is not gona be to long for winter let the bees at it and just hose out the dead bees and wax

dING · « **Reply #3 on:** November 26, 2011, 08:17:44 pm »

Got mine on a hinged base board

I just tip it over and hose it out

AllenF · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2011, 08:24:45 pm »

I let the wife clean it out. Gives her something else to worry about.

ShaneJ · « **Reply #5 on:** November 26, 2011, 09:36:12 pm »

Quote from: AllenF on November 26, 2011, 08:24:45 pm

I let the wife clean it out. Gives her something else to worry about.

:-D I don't know about yours but mine always says I'm no good at cleaning. So might as well leave it up to them :)

AllenF · « **Reply #6 on:** November 26, 2011, 09:41:11 pm »

Mine today me today how bad I suck at putting the lights on the Christmas tree today. Guess who gets to do it next year.

bernsad · « **Reply #7 on:** November 26, 2011, 10:27:47 pm »

I like the garden hose in the sun idea lilyfrog, I was wondering how to get hot water and pressure at the same time. I have just been boiling the kettle or a pot of water and pouring that through but it's a bit hit & miss getting all the old crap off the baskets.

bud1, unfortunately it's illegal in Australia to leave used equipment out in the open or to open feed etc.., anything which might contribute to spreading disease between hives.

iddee · « **Reply #8 on:** November 26, 2011, 11:14:02 pm »

I wash all my equipment in chlorine bleach to sterilize it before putting away and again before using.

bernsad · « **Reply #9 on:** November 27, 2011, 02:41:53 am »

Iddee, do you have to disassemble it? I find it very hard cleaning the baskets without pulling everything apart, even then...

Spomenko · « **Reply #10 on:** November 27, 2011, 03:56:09 am »

chemicals are OK.
I have to avoid them.
Only pure water vapor.
Put the hose from the steam generators in and close.
After 30 minutes all was clear.
There is no need for dismantling.

lilyfrog · « **Reply #11 on:** November 27, 2011, 05:40:24 am »

I have a 50 meter garden hose & a 30 meter (about 90 yards in yank speak) 19mm dia (3/4"), I join them both together and lay them on the cement driveway. After they are joined I run water through them till the water flows freely (no air bubbles), turn the tap off but leave it connected to the hose, and turn the nozzle off also. They get heated by the sun very well about 50'c in 2-3 hours (about as long as it takes to extract). when your ready turn the hose on and away you go, about 90 litres of hot water.

cheers
Mark

yantabulla · « **Reply #12 on:** November 27, 2011, 05:59:37 am »

Great tip Lillyfrog

Yanta

bernsad · « **Reply #13 on:** November 27, 2011, 07:43:26 am »

Yeah, I like that idea too, thanks lilyfrog.

Monster1970 · « **Reply #14 on:** November 27, 2011, 08:20:38 am »

Love the idea of the hot garden hose water for washout. Should work a treat up here in Brissie!

lilyfrog · « **Reply #15 on:** November 27, 2011, 08:23:39 am »

Quote from: Monster1970 on November 27, 2011, 08:20:38 am

Love the idea of the hot garden hose water for washout. Should work a treat up here in Brissie!

it does, I west Brissie

cheers

iddee · « **Reply #16 on:** November 27, 2011, 09:50:23 am »

bernsad, I only have a 2 frame hand crank. It fits in the bath tub fine. I remove the basket as a unit. No other disassembly.

Kathyp · « **Reply #17 on:** November 27, 2011, 05:58:51 pm »

i use the bathtub also. put the shower on jet for the tough stuff.

bernsad · « **Reply #18 on:** November 27, 2011, 08:18:14 pm »

My wife already thinks I'm too invested in the bees and a bit strange. If I take the extractor in the shower with me she'll probably leave. I mean it is nice and shiny but... :lau:

iddee · « **Reply #19 on:** November 27, 2011, 10:03:59 pm »

You're just gonna have to decide which honey you want to keep... :evil: :lau:

AllenF · « **Reply #20 on:** November 27, 2011, 11:16:57 pm »

:-D

bernsad · « **Reply #21 on:** November 28, 2011, 06:13:46 am »

:lau:

Lek · « **Reply #22 on:** December 02, 2011, 08:37:53 am »

I use a small electric high pressure cleaner, can pick them up fairly cheap. Put the extractor on the lawn, turn the outlet jet to fan spray, and in no time the extraxtor looking like new, plus all the other gear get a good wash down,gets the wax off pronto........ Cheers Lek

BeeMaster2 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 02, 2011, 12:47:18 pm »

I have been using the hose with cold water. It just takes a while longer and I usually have to take it apart. It is an 18 frame unit with motor so I don't plan on sharing a shower with it. :-D I like the idea of the hot water hose but there are so many trees in the back and front yard that it bee tough finding a hot spot.
Jim

rawfind · « **Reply #24 on:** December 02, 2011, 05:53:58 pm »

Quote from: bernsad on November 26, 2011, 06:35:15 pm

Hi guys,

Quick question, what's the best way of cleaning your extractor after a session? Or do you just close the lid and leave it 'til next time?

Ive heard you can chuck some hot water in there and then hose it all out with a hose pipe

Anybrew · « **Reply #25 on:** December 02, 2011, 07:33:59 pm »

Blast it with a pressure washer and does a great job in no time. Works best if you leave the extractor in full Sun for a hour then blast away.

Anybrew