I have a problem with my honey being to dry...It is clear (looks good) and the taste is good but is sooo thick...this honey was uncapped when extracted (meaning it was capped when I took it from the hive)...also it was 95* while it was being extracted. I purchased a Atago refractor to check this honey that I suspected to be too dry and sure enough it is 12%. At room temp it is stiffer than peanut butter. I have 6 gallons of this stuff and don't know what to do with it. Has anybody had this problem and know what to do with it. Can I mix with distilled water and get it back to 17% or so and it still be saleable. Or what can I do. Let me say my apiary is in the middle of 100 acres of flood irrigated alfalfa. I have searched for information and still at a total loss. Any help would be muchly appreciated.
Carl
Hmm...Interesting problem! In my experience, everyone's problem seems to always be on the other end of the spectrum, too high of a moisture content.
Possibly a good candidate for Creamed Honey??? Maybe? :?
It would be great for mixing with high moisture honey. If you store it in a high moisture area, like a steamy bathroom, it will absorb moisture.
Jim
Quote from: sawdstmakr on January 06, 2014, 11:07:26 PM
It would be great for mixing with high moisture honey. If you store it in a high moisture area, like a steamy bathroom, it will absorb moisture.
Jim
would you pour it out like in a flat pan or tub?
If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.
Quote from: bernsad on January 07, 2014, 03:37:06 AM
If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.
what do you all think about adding distilled water. I live in a dry climate.
Quote from: cbinstrasburg on January 07, 2014, 10:35:36 AM
Quote from: bernsad on January 07, 2014, 03:37:06 AM
If you are intending to let it absorb moisture from the atmosphere then yes, the more surface area exposed the better.
what do you all think about adding distilled water. I live in a dry climate.
Hmm...I guess it "could" work. But I've never heard of doing that! :shock: First blush...I don't like the idea, but that's just my 2 cents!
I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?
Quote from: cbinstrasburg on January 07, 2014, 12:21:41 PM
I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?
Again...I have no experience with this problem...
But I think that's more the route I'd go. For whatever reason, I just don't think adding water directly would work.
Just thinking out loud here....What about putting it in a room with a humidifier? I know folks that place their honey in a room with a dehumidifier whenever their moisture content is too high. Not sure how long it would take, but the honey will definitely absorb moisture from the air.
Quote from: cbinstrasburg on January 07, 2014, 12:21:41 PM
I have a big chest freezer I use as a honey heater...guess I could put a pan of water over the heat lamp with the honey to the side...wonder how fast it will absorb the moisture and will it be evenly through the pan...guess I could stir it now and then...what you think?
If I didn't have any other honey, that is what I would do. Just be sure to keep close tabs on it and keep testing it. Honey is hydroscopic, very good at absorbing water.
take a quart of your thick honey. Add a measured amount of water and mix thoroughly and see what the moisture level is. I regularly sell 16% moisture and it pleasingly thick. When you figure out how much added water a quart takes to get to wherever you want your product, do the math. Then never talk about it again. Nobody wants to think they are getting watered honey.
just want to say thanks for the replies
Regards
Carl