What's the best way to cut comb

[SlickMick]

I have had a shallow frame of comb honey waiting in the fridge to be cut for comb'n'honey.. a first time thing for me.

Well what a mess. :shock:

Obviously cut comb is not cut with it straight from the fridge, the honey is thick, the comb tears and the knife catches up all the stiff honey and makes a real mess of a really  nice piece of comb

So what is the best way of doing this? :?

Mick

[RayMarler]

cut it directly as you remove it from the hive, it's 90 degrees warm then and cuts much easier. Use a thin bread knife, it works real well for just a few combs. Cut it out, wrap or package it and store in freezer to kill wax moth eggs and to keep the honey from crystalizing in the combs. Remove a package at a time from the freezer for the table, a day ahead of needing it so it will thaw. Do not store it in the fridge as that will cause it to crystalize more quickly. Always store honey at room temp or in the freezer, never in the fridge.

[Kathyp]

after you let it come to room temp, you can cut the entire comb out onto a cookie sheet.  then use a hot knife to cut the squares.  i keep a pan of hot water on the stove and dip the knife into it. there is no reason to store capped honey in the refrigerator.  it will keep in the comb fine.  if you are worried about it getting dirty, you can leave it in the super and throw a towel over it.  if you are worried about critters getting into it, do as ray suggested and put it in the freezer.

[SlickMick]

Thanks guys, I knew that there had to be a better way :roll:

Mick

[blckoakbees]

I put wax paper on a cookie sheet and use a comb cutter.  They are not very expensive.  I then put the cut comb directly into the plastic box container.  I put it in the freezer for a few days to make sure if there were wax moth eggs they would be killed.  My cut comb looks really nice.

[SlickMick]

Thanks for that. I imagine a comb cutter looks a bit like a cookie cutter?

Mick

[ziffabeek]

I'm reading this for next year (hopefully!)  :-D

Do you need to worry about eating honey with waxmoth eggs in it? even after you've frozen/killed them?

I usually don't worry about stuff like that myself (I figure if it doesn't kill ya, it makes you stronger), but we plan on giving some honey to some friends with kids with allergies, and, well, other people's kids, you know.  Is that something I should worry about?

Thanks!

liz

[Scadsobees]

Thanks for that. I imagine a comb cutter looks a bit like a cookie cutter?

Mick

Yup!  Just a square metal strip with a handle on it.  But the cookie cutter idea, now that is brilliant!  Imagine stars and trees and reindeer combs for christmas!! :)

Waxmoth eggs:  They're made of wax (thus the waxmoth) so you don't actually find them in wax!  :)  Seriously they lay them in the nooks and crannies of the hives, and while it is possible to get them on the comb they are small enough and white that you'd never notice them.  And it won't hurt to eat a few, considering how many we all probably eat on our homegrown vegetables.  I've never heard of a bug-egg allergy....

[D Coates]

I put the frame on a cookie cooling rack above a lipped cookie sheet.  I make a cardboard cutout of the exact size I'm looking for.  I them lay it on top of the frame and cut lightly to trace the outline.  Once the whole frame has been traced I start cutting with a very sharp serated knife.  I separate the cut portions and let then sit for a day or so to drain.  I then put them in individual containers and put them in the freezer for a couple of days to kill any wax moth eggs.  Once that's done I store them for retail.  There's something about cutting comb that's cooler than the other side of the pillow.

[ziffabeek]

Thanks Scads! That's reassuring.  I guess I should have assumed, since many people make honey this way that it wouldn't hurt. :)  I just get a little neurotic sometimes 

and D Coates - I love that saying.  Makes me giggle everytime I hear it! :)

love,
ziffa

[Wes Sapp]

After watching Tillies video I tried her method. It's the easiest and cleanest way I've found. The spatula's the trick to keeping your hands from getting sticky. Check it out.
http://beekeeperlinda.blogspot.com/2007/06/harvesting-chunk-honey.html

[sc-bee]

I second what Wes said ---- he beat me to the punch. Watch Tillies video.