I put a medium super in the freezer to save for this Winter if my bees need it. I have three hives. This super was uncapped but almost cured. Just didn't get capped. Will this honey crystallize in the freezer or what should I expect? If it does crystallize, can the bees still use it?
Mark
Try typing the word "crystallize" in the search option window (right above log out). It should bring up a few past and recent posts on the subject. Hope this helps.
No luck on search.
Well, the honey will crystallize in the freezer, but only if the freezer is OFF :-D
Freezing honey actually slows down crystallization. The worst temps are about 60F.
But yes, even if it is crystallized, a hungry hive will use it. If the hive has plenty of honey and needs more space, often they will clean out and throw out the sugar crystals.
Rick
Would a frost free freezer actually remove more moisture? I know you put pollen in the freezer to dry it out.
I kept a deep of drawn comb in the freezer all last winter. This spring I took it out let it warm up and put it on a hive. Within a few days the queen was laying in it.
use these frames wisely! they are worth their weight in gold indeed! if you get a late swarm there is the first feeding! if you need to feed anywhere it,s perfect! i love them for early season splits and swarms.
i have 2 supers in the freezer for emergency feed!
you wont be sorry to use them, only when you run out of them!
I freeze frames of honey all the time, every winter to give back to the bees in the Spring. I do though, wrap the frames in plastic before putting into the freezer. You can probably place the whole medium super into the plastic garbage bag.
That's what I did. I put them in a large garbage bag and tied it and tried to be careful not to tear a hole in the plastic before I put it in the freezer. I do have a late cutout that I have fed 4 gallons of syrup to. It is too cold now for a few days for them to take any more syrup. I may try to put these frames in when I can get them. They are 125 miles away where my hives are.
Mark
The frames I froze earlier this year had some uncapped honey (nectar) in them. The nectar was watery as usual. After 2 months I thawed them. The uncapped nectar had dehydrated significantly; closer to (perhaps was) honey.
I would think placing the super in a plastic bag (which I did not) would better moderate the moisture until Spring.
Not only will it be good for swarms and splits next spring, but it will make sure there are not any living larvae from wax moths or hive beetles.