How to store capped honey

[bwallace23350]

If you got some honey capped but don't have enough time to work it into bottles that day is there a way to store the honey?

[azzkell]

If you intend on extracting in a day or 2 it is possible  to simply store in a sealed container.  If any longer perhaps the fridge at a low temp and for extended periods I would use the freezer but keep in a container in case of breakage and honey leakage. Gave found wax to become rather brittle when frozen for long periods. This is all mainly done to avoid wax moths destroying the frames.

[bwallace23350]

THanks. I am hoping to harvest tomorrow but probably could not get to harvesting until later in the week. I will probably freeze it in something and get to it when I can. How do you sanitize your bottles for thehoney?

[paus]

My wife uses the dishwasher to sanitize jars for veggies.

[bwallace23350]

Thanks

[Acebird]

If they are purchased bottles in their cartons you don't need to sanitize.  If not, washing is acceptable.  The issue is drying.  They must be dry.  Placing them in the oven at 200 degrees works great.  I have stored boxes of honey frames in the freezer for a couple of months.  Depending on the nectar source you can get crystallization so waiting a couple of months is not the best idea but it is better then not harvesting at all.
Edit:
If you extract it and don't bottle it try to keep it in the freezer.

[BeeMaster2]

Freezing is better than refrigerating it. It can crystalize in the fridge.
Jim

[Acebird]

Refrigerating accelerates crystallization.  I do that to some honey and sell it as "raw" naturalized creamed honey with no additives for a buck more.

[azzkell]

Great idea Acebird, might have to give it a go next I get a honey prone to crystallising.

[Michael Bush]

If you can keep the humidity low you can keep the small hive beetle eggs from hatching and keep it from getting too wet from absorbing water from the air... the best place to keep it is the freezer...

[bwallace23350]

If they are purchased bottles in their cartons you don't need to sanitize.  If not, washing is acceptable.  The issue is drying.  They must be dry.  Placing them in the oven at 200 degrees works great.  I have stored boxes of honey frames in the freezer for a couple of months.  Depending on the nectar source you can get crystallization so waiting a couple of months is not the best idea but it is better then not harvesting at all.
Edit:
If you extract it and don't bottle it try to keep it in the freezer.

I am going to extract today and will try to bottle after the 4th.

[bwallace23350]

I checked and the honey was about 75% capped so I left it. They had almost glued the top shut though. I had to do some good pulling to get it up.

[Acebird]

Are you using a tele cover without an inner cover or fabric cover?

[bwallace23350]

Not on this hive. I am using a traveling cover because I ordered wrong when I started this hive up.