Best way to store full frames with honey

[Steve M.]

I would like to store a few deep frames filled with honey, perhaps temporarily, while I put un-drawn frames/foundation into the brood box to remedy my current honey-bound state, and allow more room for the soon to bee new queen to lay.

How/where should I store these frames? In the freezer? In a tote in a cool place?

My current situation is outlined here:
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,16499.0.html

This is my only hive, and it is packed with honey...about 17 deep frames filled....no pollen, no eggs, brood, etc. As far as I can tell, no queen.

I just received my replacement queen an hour ago, and during my lunch break, I will put her/cage in the hive and let her be for a couple of days, then try to release her.

I would like to keep the frames filled with honey incase I need to feed them back into the hive this fall....is this a good practice?  Or should I just remove a few and harvest the honey?

I always appreciate your advice.
--Steve

[randydrivesabus]

he freezer is the best place if you have the room.

[Kathyp]

freezer, but put wax paper between the frames.  if you don't, they might leak when you pull them apart and thaw.

plan on leaving the queen caged for more than a couple of days.  if it's a cage with candy and they eat her out, that's great.  if it's not, let her stay in the cage for 4 or 5 days.  as long as they have access to her through a screen, they will care for her.  replacement queens are tricky.  i think all of us have had the frustration of buying a queen and losing her.  the only thing that i have found that helps, is to not release to soon.

[Steve M.]

A new freezer is in the budget for this year, so I guess this just pushes it to the front burner.  Our current small chest freezer is at capacity, and I will be needing to find space for the 25 broiler chickens that will I will be dispatching this weekend...not to mention the 8 turkeys in a couple of months.  I better start looking.

Thanks for the advice, randydrivesabus and kathyp.  I was wondering if I should put something between the frames for protection.  I was thinking of (if I can make the space) using my nuc box as a storage box in the freezer as added protection.

I will wait the 4-5 days instead of a couple....I sure hope they take to this new queen.

--Steve