Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: Aroc on July 25, 2017, 11:53:29 am

Title: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: Aroc on July 25, 2017, 11:53:29 am
 Not going to get a real harvest this year due to some queenless issues. Was wondering if it's OK to take a couple of frames full of honey and put them in the freezer until I get ready to extract.
Title: Re: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: iddee on July 25, 2017, 11:59:03 am
YES. I freeze supers for a few days to kill wax moth and/or shb eggs if I'm not extracting the same day I harvest. Just be sure to warm to about 90 F., 32 C., before extracting, to make it flow easily.
Title: Re: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on July 25, 2017, 08:47:53 pm
X2
Title: Re: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: bwallace23350 on July 26, 2017, 03:09:17 pm
Good info to know
Title: Re: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: Acebird on July 27, 2017, 09:34:33 am
Just so you know, freezing slows down crystallization but doesn't stop it.  If it is several months before you extract and the honey in the cells is from nectar sources that crystallize fast you may not be able to extract it.  If this should happen then the options are to crush heat and strain or feed it back to the bees in the spring for brood rearing.
Title: Re: Can you freeze honey before extracting?
Post by: BeeMaster2 on July 28, 2017, 06:00:58 am
Brian,
Another choice is to build a honey heater, plans are on this site. You then place the frames it it and it will dissolve the crystals.
I have built 2 of them. Use the thermostat from a hot water heater. They are perfect for this job.
Jim