Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: slacker361 on May 22, 2011, 12:03:22 AM

Title: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: slacker361 on May 22, 2011, 12:03:22 AM
How long does it take to empty 6 frames in an extractor. I am sure it depends on temp and moisture content of honey, but about how long?

thanks
Title: Re: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: bassman1977 on May 22, 2011, 12:30:46 AM
Already uncapped and put into the extractor, about 5 minutes in a 3 frame extractor.  Uncapping, tack on an extra few minutes.
Title: Re: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: AllenF on May 22, 2011, 09:21:48 AM
It all depends on the speed they spin and the temp of the honey.  I normally go until the arm gets tired and there is no more honey slinging out.
Title: Re: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: Kathyp on May 22, 2011, 11:44:45 AM
QuoteI normally go until the arm gets tired and there is no more honey slinging out.

me too  :evil:
Title: Re: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: tandemrx on May 22, 2011, 04:10:01 PM
in my motorized 6-frame radial I would say it takes 3-5 minutes.  I think I often give it 5-7 minutes just to make sure I get as clean a frame as I can, less for the bees to clean up (more for me  ;).
Title: Re: how long to empty frames with an extractor
Post by: Brian D. Bray on May 23, 2011, 03:55:45 PM
If you are using a medium to large motorized extractor it should have a ramp speed timer or similar so that the speed can increase from slow to high over a selected period of time.  Some of the smaller motorized extractors lack this feature, I would suggest obtaining a router ramp switch, it is a simple rheostat that can be manually operated.  Ramp the speed of low to hi over a couple of minutes, leave it on hi for several minutes (3 for mediums, 5 for deeps) then ramp it back down.