{"id":2910,"date":"2025-08-09T14:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-09T13:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910"},"modified":"2026-02-02T16:08:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T16:08:26","slug":"honey-processing-aug-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910","title":{"rendered":"<p style=\"color: blue;\">Honey Processing, Aug &#8217;25<\/p>"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\nh2, h3, h4 {color: green;}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honey Extraction in words and pictures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Demonstration by Nick Silver at the Bee Shed, 9th August 2025<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The whole process can be divided up into discrete operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Removing the honey frames<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many gadgets to clear bees from the frames of capped honey, but all of them require more than one visit to the apiary. David favours the &#8216;one visit&#8217; approach of shake and brush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Put the bee-free frames in a box or bin with a lid as you work through the super(s). This is easier with two people. If you intend to make cut comb be sure not to damage the cappings e.g. use wide spacers while transporting the frames.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: use a plastic tray underneath while transporting honey frames!&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13244\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13244\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Select well capped frames<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13245\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-2-shake-brush.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13245\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Shake and brush bees off comb<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Removing the cappings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This may be achieved with the aid of a serrated knife using a sawing action (see photos). Whether you cut up (towards the fingers) or down (safer), tilt the frame slightly so that the cappings fall off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many ways of doing this operation, some simple and inexpensive such as an old bread knife and baking tray, some more expensive using heated knives and trays from bee equipment suppliers. The illustration is of a Pratley heated tray. The hot air gun technique will only work when there is an air gap between honey and wax cappings (and is very messy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13246\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-4-remove-cappings.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13246\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Remove cappings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13265\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-17-Pratley-tray.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13265\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pratley uncapping tray<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"7888\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2208-5-remove-cappingsb.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7888\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2208-5-remove-cappingsb.png 500w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2208-5-remove-cappingsb-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/2208-5-remove-cappingsb-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ready for the spinner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13247\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-6-hot-air-gun.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13247\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Using a hot air gun can be messy!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honey Spinners\/Extractors<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A simple way to separate liquid honey from the frames by centrifugal force. <br>Two basic types: <br><strong>Radial<\/strong>, both sides of the comb spun out in one operation.<br><strong>Tangential<\/strong>, one side of the comb spun out at a time. Frames need to be turned round to spin the other side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The illustrations explain the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"7881\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Radial-spinner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7881\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Radial-spinner.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Radial-spinner-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Radial-spinner-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Radial-spinner-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Radial spinner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"7880\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Loading-radial-spinner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7880\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:261px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Loading-radial-spinner.png 747w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Loading-radial-spinner-224x300.png 224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Radial spinner loaded<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"747\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"7878\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Extracted-honey.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7878\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:261px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Extracted-honey.png 747w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Extracted-honey-224x300.png 224w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 747px) 100vw, 747px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Extracted honey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"7877\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Draining-the-spinner.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7877\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Draining-the-spinner.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Draining-the-spinner-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Draining-the-spinner-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Draining-the-spinner-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Draining the spinner via sieves<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: Balance the full combs as well as possible. Start spinning slowly to avoid breaking the comb (especially tangential spinners). Frames in tangential spinners may need to be turned a second time and spun at higher speed to complete the extraction.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13248\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-7-radial.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13248\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Frame in radial extractor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13249\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-8-sieving.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13249\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Honey running into settling tank<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: Ideally, all honey processing should be done in a warm, bee proof area. Equipment may be cleaned with water no more than hand heat (hot water will melt wax and propolis). Detergents are not needed. Dry all equipment thoroughly.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sieving the honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The liquid honey and debris from spinning is allowed to flow through multiple meshes and left to &#8216;settle&#8217; for a few days in a warm area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: All equipment should be food grade e.g.stainless steel or plastic suitable for kitchen use. Use a coarse filter to remove wax particle etc, followed by a fine mesh of, say, 200 microns. These can be bought from equipment suppliers.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13251\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-11-remove-froth.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13251\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Use cling film to remove froth<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13250\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-10-remove-froth.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13250\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use cling film as illustrated to remove froth from the surface. Just spread film over the honey surface and gently lift off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The separated, filtered honey can be run into jars or stored in food grade tubs for future bottling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: Stored honey will eventually granulate and will need warming before bottling. Smaller tubs, e.g.15-lb, are easier to lift and handle and will melt more quickly causing less heat damage to the honey. Ideal storage temperature for honey in tubs or jars is 14\u00b0C&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cut Comb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This product is easy to prepare, does not need an extractor or settling tank, and commands a higher price than the equivalent weight of bottled honey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use special thin unwired comb foundation in supers. Needs a strong colony and a good honey flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" data-id=\"7876\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Comb-cutter.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7876\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:197px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Comb-cutter.png 563w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Comb-cutter-169x300.png 169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 563px) 100vw, 563px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Comb cutter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"750\" data-id=\"7879\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Foundation-types.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7879\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:467px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Foundation-types.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Foundation-types-300x225.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Foundation-types-768x576.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Foundation. Top: thin unwired, bottom: standard wired.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: Avoid the 1st super above the brood chamber as this will almost certainly contain some unwanted pollen. Method &#8211; cut blocks of comb with a comb cutter then place in a cut comb container. It doesn&#8217;t get much simpler than that.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13261\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-12-cut-comb.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13261\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cut on a clean surface e.g. foil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13262\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-14-cut-comb.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13262\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cut comb containers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soft set honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Basically, control the crystallization process by stirring (see photos), or by adding approx 10% of finely grained OSR honey and mixing well. Bottle before it thickens then store in a cool place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery aligncenter has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13263\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-15-mixer.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13263\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Food grade churner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" data-id=\"13264\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-16-creaming.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13264\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:350px;height:350px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Keep churner below honey surface to avoid bubbles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wax cappings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:36% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"1000\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Wax-cappings.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7883 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Wax-cappings.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Wax-cappings-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Wax-cappings-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Wax-cappings-768x768.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What do you do with the wax cappings? Allow your cappings to drain in a covered container. The honey can be put through your sieves and the wet cappings can be put above the crown board for the bees to recycle the honey remnants. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Checking the moisture content of your honey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Legally, honey should be no more than 20% water content. Above this level there is every possibility that the honey will ferment and spoil. A refractometer will tell you the exact water content or you can rely on the &#8216;shake&#8217; test. Take a frame with some uncapped cells, hold it horizontally over the hive and jerk it forwards and backwards a few times. If no drops of honey come out it is ripe enough to extract.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Refractometer.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7882\" style=\"object-fit:cover;width:525px;height:350px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Refractometer.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Refractometer-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Refractometer-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Refractometer-75x50.png 75w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A honey refractometer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><mark style=\"background-color:#ff6900\" class=\"has-inline-color has-white-color\">&nbsp;Tip: Always stir your buckets of honey top to bottom before storage. This will ensure all the honey is the same water content and helps to avoid fermentation.&nbsp;<\/mark><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks Nick. We hope these images help you to produce some first class products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Literature<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:26% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"382\" height=\"542\" src=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-Harvesting-Honey.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-13267 size-full\"\/><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A good guide to processing honey would be Wally Shaw&#8217;s pamphlet <strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Harvesting Honey<\/mark><\/strong>, obtainable via Northern Bee Books or you can <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/wbka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/wbka-harvesting-honey-v4-ENG-1.pdf\">read online here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honey processing slide show<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click <a href=\"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/HONEY-PROCESSING.pdf\"><strong>HERE<\/strong><\/a> to see a .pdf slide show<\/p>\n\n\n<script>\nconst scrollToTop = () => {\n\nwindow.scroll({\n    top: 0, \n    left: 0, \n    behavior: 'smooth' \n});\n};\n<\/script>\n<input type=\"button\" value=\"Scroll to top\" onclick=\"scrollToTop()\">","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Honey Extraction in words and pictures Demonstration by Nick Silver at the Bee Shed, 9th August 2025 The whole process can be divided up into discrete operations. Removing the honey frames There are many gadgets to clear bees from the frames of capped honey, but all of them require more than one visit to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reports"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Honey Processing, Aug &#039;25 - East Devon Beekeepers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Honey Processing, Aug &#039;25 - East Devon Beekeepers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"East Devon Beekeepers\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"JPB\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"JPB\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"JPB\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb\"},\"headline\":\"Honey Processing, Aug &#8217;25\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910\"},\"wordCount\":956,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2208-1-select-frames.png\",\"articleSection\":[\"Reports\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910\",\"name\":\"Honey Processing, Aug '25 - East Devon Beekeepers\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2208-1-select-frames.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb\"},\"description\":\"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2208-1-select-frames.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/2208-1-select-frames.png\",\"width\":500,\"height\":500},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?p=2910#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Honey Processing, Aug &#8217;25\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/\",\"name\":\"East Devon Beekeepers\",\"description\":\"A Branch of the Devon Beekeepers&#039; Association UK Registered Charity No. 270675\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"http:\\\/\\\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb\",\"name\":\"JPB\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Honey Processing, Aug '25 - East Devon Beekeepers","description":"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910","og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Honey Processing, Aug '25 - East Devon Beekeepers","og_description":"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910","og_site_name":"East Devon Beekeepers","article_published_time":"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":500,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"JPB","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"JPB","Estimated reading time":"9 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910"},"author":{"name":"JPB","@id":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb"},"headline":"Honey Processing, Aug &#8217;25","datePublished":"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910"},"wordCount":956,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png","articleSection":["Reports"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910","url":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910","name":"Honey Processing, Aug '25 - East Devon Beekeepers","isPartOf":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png","datePublished":"2025-08-09T13:30:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-02T16:08:26+00:00","author":{"@id":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb"},"description":"A beginners guide to honey processing. Covers frame removal, uncapping, sieving, settling and bottling. Numerous hints and tips.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/2208-1-select-frames.png","width":500,"height":500},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?p=2910#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Honey Processing, Aug &#8217;25"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/#website","url":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/","name":"East Devon Beekeepers","description":"A Branch of the Devon Beekeepers&#039; Association UK Registered Charity No. 270675","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"http:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/#\/schema\/person\/f7cd682b2a274934d8fb1e43d79fa9fb","name":"JPB"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2910"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13270,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2910\/revisions\/13270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.eastdevonbk.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}