Do Bees cap partially filled honey cells?

[madscientist]

This being my first year of bee keeping, I only had one hive build up enough strength to get a super mostly drawn and somewhat filled.  After the flow, I was eager to put the feeders back on to get the bees to draw out some more comb for next year.  Not wanting to introduce sugar water into that one super of honey, I pulled it and crushed and strained the four frames that were mostly filled and that showed signs of the bees starting to cap off the honey.  Mind you, none of the frames that I crushed were fully capped - maybe only a couple cells in the middle were capped or partially capped.  A fellow beek that I work with said that once the frames show signs of being capped off, the honey is "cured enough". But, being the paranoid type that I am, I'm now wondering if that 4 pints of honey that I extracted is going to ferment.  I just had some on toast and the consitency is somewhat more watery than when I extracted it (2 weeks ago).  Is that a sign of fermentation or normal shelf aging?  It still tasted the same as when I extracted it.  I wouldn't be nearly as paranoid if I hadn't already given away little 4 oz. sample jars to a couple coworkers and neighbors.  Should I ask for it back?
And to my original question, what should I do with frames wherein most of the cells only appear to be half filled with honey once the flow is over?  Will they be capped off eventually or do bees typically only cap full cells?

[jason58104]

I would keep a close eye on that honey.  If it is watery that is a good sign that it is going to ferment.  I would have kept those supers on for a while longer.  As a rule of thumb I dont extract a frame that is less that 70% cappped. 

[sc-bee]

Naw-- Don't ask for it back. If yours ferments approach them and explain. It was FREE!!!

Alot of folks also use the shake method. If not all capped hold the frame upright make a quick downward motion with the frame and make an abrut stop. If the nectar is cured (honey) it will stay in the frames. If it leaks or spills out-- it is not ready. But the best way of course is let the bees cap it if they will or a refractometer.

[madscientist]

Alot of folks also use the shake method. If not all capped hold the frame upright make a quick downward motion with the frame and make an abrut stop

That's encouraging.  I shook those frames until I had a headache and only ever got a couple small drops.  Then I resorted to crush and strain.

Thanks.

[Michael Bush]

They will cap partially full cells if the flow stops.