First extraction for 2008

[sean]

Hi. Did my first extraction for the year got about 31 gallons. was hopping to do it when konasdad would be here to assist (get some free labour) :evil:

[annette]

Lucky you. Happy for you Sean.

Annette

[johnnybigfish]

Hey Sean!
I just extracted 10 frames yesterday I didnt plan on it, I was just looking in on them to see how they were doing. Last time I looked I had alot of honey stores in the top boxes. For some reason I had the top boxes FULL of honey!! I mean PACKED!. So, out of 3 hives I pulled about 6 frames and 4 honey super frames. I left one honey super on two of the hives going into winter. I also took a couple of frames that were full and put them into the hive that didnt have so much honey, that way they'll do good until it gets warmer. It was cooler than summer of course so you can imagine the surprise I had trying to extract when it was 70 degrees instaed of 110! I had to put my extractor in the bathtub to warm the honey enough to make it come out of the extractor and then be able to strain it through cheesecloth!
I had bees EVERYWHERE this time! I STILL have bees everywhere!! Well, thats because I had honey everywhere. It kind of blew up out of the extractor like cobwebs! I didnt see it but I sure could feel it!
Ok, I dont know how much weight I got this time but I got a count on containers....20 12 oz bottles,3 quarts, and 1 pint :-D
I guess i'm gonna order some bigger bottles soon!
your friend,
john

[steveouk]

now that i would ahve paid to see.... the honey exploding like cobwebs !

[johnnybigfish]

Ok steve,...hee heee....
Maybe it was more like "Cotton Candy!"
I think that maybe there was supposed to be a lid with the extractor!
your friend,
john

[sean]

Hey Sean!
I just extracted 10 frames yesterday I didnt plan on it, I was just looking in on them to see how they were doing. Last time I looked I had alot of honey stores in the top boxes. For some reason I had the top boxes FULL of honey!! I mean PACKED!. So, out of 3 hives I pulled about 6 frames and 4 honey super frames. I left one honey super on two of the hives going into winter. I also took a couple of frames that were full and put them into the hive that didnt have so much honey, that way they'll do good until it gets warmer. It was cooler than summer of course so you can imagine the surprise I had trying to extract when it was 70 degrees instaed of 110! I had to put my extractor in the bathtub to warm the honey enough to make it come out of the extractor and then be able to strain it through cheesecloth!
I had bees EVERYWHERE this time! I STILL have bees everywhere!! Well, thats because I had honey everywhere. It kind of blew up out of the extractor like cobwebs! I didnt see it but I sure could feel it!
Ok, I dont know how much weight I got this time but I got a count on containers....20 12 oz bottles,3 quarts, and 1 pint :-D
I guess i'm gonna order some bigger bottles soon!
your friend,
john

Must have been a sight to see. I finally set up an enclosed area for extraction. I used to do it out in the open so you can imagine the problem i had with bees. I had to be fighting bees for space to uncap, open the extractor, run honey out of the extractor and strain, everything. but thankfully its over. 

[KONASDAD]

You mean I missed the work. aww shucks! Working on details now to get across Island. Mcuh to do and cant wait to be in Jmaiaca.

[johnnybigfish]

That made me laff!!
When i said Blew I meant carried up by the wind, not like throwing dynamite in a 55 gal drum!
your friend,
john

[Cindi]

Sean, isn't that nice you got that amount of honey.  Seems to me I remember you posting about extracting outside and the bees that loved to help you.....that was some time ago.  Good you are inside, your extracting days will be much easier to deal with.  Good.

John, I still think you are the funniest thing on earth, you make that gut rolling laugh, not that squeaky little laugh that I do sometimes.  Some of the things are just the cat's meow and I love to read your funnnnnnneeeeeeeee posts.  By the way John, did your face stick to the pillow after the propolis smearing, hee, hee, take a picture!!!!!  Have a wonderful and beautiful day.  Cindi

[Burl]

John , we were having the same problem with honey blowing out of the extractor .  We solved the problem by covering the top of the extractor with a towel and fastening it with a diaper pin ( remember those? ) .  It made some extra work by making us take it on off and on between loads , but saved us time in clean-up .   
                              ---Burl--- sticky , but not stuck-up

[johnnybigfish]

Cindi,
I'm happy when you're happy!!
My whole life seems to be a "Cartoon"! Even if I'm in the hospital or Drs office I'm lucky enough to see humor in it!(well, at least so far!)
  And YES,........The pillow stuck to my face...And the next day All the soot in my warehouse thats invisible to the naked eye was stuck to my face too!...But the itchy areas are gone so far! i MIGHT JUST RE-APPLY IT AGAIN!
Thanks for the tip Burl! I'll try the same thing next time I extract...I'll also have to devise a method of securing the top crossbar down.(you know, the part that holds the basket up.Its an easy fix but i just havent gotten around to it yet)

your friend,
john

[steveouk]

What john really didnt say was that he was really trying out a new facial wax system.

[johnnybigfish]

Yeh,....."Facial wax system".
hey steve! You oughta try it!
As a matter of fact, I liked it so much, guess what??
I'm starting another book tonite!............with my face!!
It doesnt feel as sticky as last nite though.
your friend,
john

[Cindi]

John, OK man, you are really and truly gotta be the funniest guy that I have ever heard, and yes, I love to hear your stuff.  Keep on keepin' on with this stuff you tell us about, laughing is so good for the body and soul, have the most wonderful and beautiful day, awesome life.  Cindi