honey with 12% moisture

[cbinstrasburg]

I have a problem with my honey being to dry...It is clear (looks good) and the taste is good but is sooo thick...this honey was uncapped when extracted (meaning it was capped when I took it from the hive)...also it was 95* while it was being extracted. I purchased a Atago refractor to check this honey that I suspected to be too dry and sure enough it is 12%. At room temp it is stiffer than peanut butter. I have 6 gallons of this stuff and don't know what to do with it. Has anybody had this problem and know what to do with it. Can I mix with distilled water and get it back to 17% or so and it still be saleable. Or what can I do. Let me say my apiary is in the middle of 100 acres of flood irrigated alfalfa. I have searched for information and still at a total loss. Any help would be muchly appreciated.

Carl   

[Moots]

Hmm...Interesting problem!   In my experience, everyone's problem seems to always be on the other end of the spectrum, too high of a moisture content.

Possibly a good candidate for Creamed Honey???  Maybe?  :?

[BeeMaster2]

It would be great for mixing with high moisture honey. If you store it in a high moisture area, like a steamy bathroom, it will absorb moisture.
Jim

[cbinstrasburg]

It would be great for mixing with high moisture honey. If you store it in a high moisture area, like a steamy bathroom, it will absorb moisture.
Jim

would you pour it out like in a flat pan or tub?

[bernsad]

If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.

[cbinstrasburg]

If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.

what do you all think about adding distilled water.  I live in a dry climate.

[Moots]

If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.

what do you all think about adding distilled water.  I live in a dry climate.

Hmm...I guess it "could" work.  But I've never heard of doing that!  :shock:  First blush...I don't like the idea, but that's just my 2 cents!

[cbinstrasburg]

I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?

[Moots]

I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?

Again...I have no experience with this problem...

But I think that's more the route I'd go.  For whatever reason, I just don't think adding water directly would work.

Just thinking out loud here....What about putting it in a room with a humidifier?  I know folks that place their honey in a room with a dehumidifier whenever their moisture content is too high.  Not sure how long it would take, but the honey will definitely absorb moisture from the air.

[BeeMaster2]

I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?

If I didn't have any other honey, that is what I would do. Just be sure to keep close tabs on it and keep testing it. Honey is hydroscopic, very good at absorbing water.

[Vance G]

take a quart of your thick honey.  Add a measured amount of water and mix thoroughly and see what the moisture level is.  I regularly sell 16% moisture and it pleasingly thick.  When you figure out how much added water a quart takes to get to wherever you want your product, do the math.  Then never talk about it again.  Nobody wants to think they are getting watered honey. 

[cbinstrasburg]

just want to say thanks for the replies

Regards
Carl