First honey!

by AngelinaJellyBeana 20th July 2011, 9:58 pm

Today I harvested my first honey

I took one frame out of the hive to try and see how easy or difficult it would be to get the honey out without a proper extractor. Bit of a long sticky process but got 2 and a bit nice jars of honey.
Sliced off the cappings and gently scraped out as much honey as I could into a big bowl then strained it through a sieve into another bowl
I've put the wax scrapings that still have honey mixed in with them in the fridge for now and tomorrow will try melting it in a pan to separate the wax and the honey. The wax will, hopefully, be used either in home made soap or candles, and I'll use that honey to experiment in making mead.

It's not an ideal way to do it but I was desperate to try. I have a couple of extractors on my watch list on fleabay but they are going for more than I can afford at the moment so for now it's going to be a scrape and strain way of doing it.

by Wilhelm Von Rhomboid 20th July 2011, 11:07 pm

I'm sure if you ask around or on one of the beekie websites you will find someone localish who will lend or even rent you a spinner, Jells. That's what we always do. I can't justify the money/storage space for a spinner I use twice a year.

by AngelinaJellyBeana 21st July 2011, 10:48 am

Good idea Billy

I did quite enjoy the slow process of mashing and squeezing though, and with only one super to do at the moment it's no great hardship.

I brought some in to work today and had some on a toasted muffin First honey! 91347

and even people who said they don't really like honey have had a taste and liked it and want to buy some off me.

I know there are all kinds of rules and regulations about selling honey but is it ok just to sell a couple of jars to friends at work or can I do the "I'll sell you an empty jar and fill it for honey for free" thing??

by Wilhelm Von Rhomboid 21st July 2011, 12:21 pm

Erm, I've never heeded any rules or regs about selling honey. Embarassed

As with meat and eggs and everything, if it is just to friends and family, all that food safety jazz does not apply AFAIK. It is only of you are selling to the public. It would after all, be unpoliceable.

Doesn't mashing the honey out knacker all the foundation?

by AngelinaJellyBeana 21st July 2011, 1:44 pm

I was careful not to scrape too deeply so still have the foundation (a couple of small holes) with some honey left in so will put them back in the hive for the bees to do the cleaning up and re-building

by GB 29th August 2011, 12:39 am

Well done you happydance

Home done honey is like no other anywhere!

by Sparhawk 29th August 2011, 10:07 am

Hmmm, well done AJB & to all her little assistants for working hard this summer...

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