Super in the freezer

[mherndon]

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

[JWPick]

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.

[mherndon]

No luck on search.

[Scadsobees]

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

[sc-bee]

Would a frost free freezer actually remove more moisture? I know you put pollen in the freezer to dry it out.

[scdw43]

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.

[bailey]

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!

[annette]

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.

[mherndon]

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

[Hemlock]

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.

[weBEE Jammin]

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.