Harvest by Gravity?

madscientist · June 16, 2008, 03:53:21 PM

I haven't had time to buy an extractor yet, but I want to rob one frame of capped honey from my strong colony to share with family at an upcoming reunion.
All my super frames use plasticell. If I scrap off the capping with a steak knife and leave the frame sitting in a large Tupperware, will I get any honey out? How long would it take to drain? Or are the capillary forces too great? (I don't want to scrape any of the comb off the foundation).

DennisB · June 16, 2008, 04:00:34 PM

You could probably scrape the cappings and then turn it upside down in a pan. Place the pan in a styrofoam collar and cover it with glass and stick it in the sun. The heat from the sun will soften it up enough to drain out and then filter and bottle.

Dennis

sean · June 16, 2008, 04:09:32 PM

bear in mind if it gets too hot the comb will melt

Jerrymac · June 16, 2008, 04:23:17 PM

Direct sin light usually melts the wax. Well it does in the Texas sun anyway.

DennisB · June 16, 2008, 05:51:38 PM

Plasticell is a molded plastic with brushed or sprayed on beeswax. If the wax melts it would be easy enough to brush on a very light coating to replenish wouldn't it?

Dennis

madscientist · June 16, 2008, 07:32:54 PM

If at all possible, I'd like to preserve the comb...

Jerrymac · June 16, 2008, 08:38:28 PM

So where are you located? A lot of the honey will drain out, and then you can place it back into the hive and they will straighten out the rest.

madscientist · June 16, 2008, 08:57:41 PM

Near Sherman TX. I'll probably give it a try tonight...

madscientist · June 17, 2008, 12:23:19 AM

Well, I gave up and took a flat metal spatula to the comb. Yummm. Homegrown honey tastes a lot better than store bought.

Scadsobees · June 17, 2008, 09:23:26 AM

Quote from: Jerrymac on June 16, 2008, 04:23:17 PM
Direct sin light usually melts the wax. Well it does in the Texas sun anyway.

It will also melt your soul...as will the texas sun too... :-D

Jerrymac · June 17, 2008, 10:17:27 AM

Quote from: Scadsobees on June 17, 2008, 09:23:26 AM
Quote from: Jerrymac on June 16, 2008, 04:23:17 PM
Direct sin light usually melts the wax. Well it does in the Texas sun anyway.
It will also melt your soul...as will the texas sun too... :-D

I have an excuse. I am a hunt and peck typer and a lot of letters have worn off the keys. :-D

Scadsobees · June 17, 2008, 10:19:27 AM

Quote from: madscientist on June 17, 2008, 12:23:19 AM
Well, I gave up and took a flat metal spatula to the comb. Yummm. Homegrown honey tastes a lot better than store bought.

It don't matter if you do this with a few frames, especially plastic that they used already...they will re-draw that out really quick.

Robo · June 17, 2008, 10:22:07 AM

Quote from: sean on June 16, 2008, 04:09:32 PM
bear in mind if it gets too hot the comb will melt

And the plasticell foundation too.. I had the bright idea to clean some Pierco frames in my solar melter. It didn't actually melt, but it warped and twisted like it was made of paper and someone crumpled it up. Same goes with Ross Round frames :roll: