Cleaning the Extractor

[bernsad]

Hi guys,

Quick question, what's the best way of cleaning your extractor after a session? Or do you just close the lid and leave it 'til next time?

[lilyfrog]

Before you start extracting, put your garden hose out in the sun, make sure it is full of water.

After you finished hose it out with hot water.


this is how i clean ours. works a treat.

[bud1]

lid if it is not gona be to long  for winter let the bees at it and just hose out the dead bees and wax

[dING]

Got mine on a hinged base board

I just tip it over and hose it out

[AllenF]

I let the wife clean it out.    Gives her something else to worry about.

[ShaneJ]

I let the wife clean it out.    Gives her something else to worry about.

:-D I don't know about yours but mine always says I'm no good at cleaning. So might as well leave it up to them :)

[AllenF]

Mine today me today how bad I suck at putting the lights on the Christmas tree today.    Guess who gets to do it next year.

[bernsad]

I like the garden hose in the sun idea lilyfrog, I was wondering how to get hot water and pressure at the same time. I have just been boiling the kettle or a pot of water and pouring that through but it's a bit hit & miss getting all the old crap off the baskets.

bud1, unfortunately it's illegal in Australia to leave used equipment out in the open or to open feed etc.., anything which might contribute to spreading disease between hives.

[iddee]

I wash all my equipment in chlorine bleach to sterilize it before putting away and again before using.

[bernsad]

Iddee, do you have to disassemble it? I find it very hard cleaning the baskets without pulling everything apart, even then...

[Spomenko]

chemicals are OK.
  I have to avoid them.
Only pure water vapor.
Put the hose from the steam generators in and close.
After 30 minutes all was clear.
There is no need for dismantling.

[lilyfrog]

I have a 50 meter garden hose & a 30 meter (about 90 yards in yank speak) 19mm dia (3/4"), I join them both together and lay them on the cement driveway. After they are joined I run water through them till the water flows freely (no air bubbles), turn the tap off but leave it connected to the hose, and turn the nozzle off also. They get heated by the sun very well about 50'c in 2-3 hours (about as long as it takes to extract). when your ready turn the hose on and away you go, about 90 litres of hot water.

cheers
Mark

[yantabulla]

Great tip Lillyfrog

Yanta

[bernsad]

Yeah, I like that idea too, thanks lilyfrog.

[Monster1970]

Love the idea of the hot garden hose water for washout. Should work a treat up here in Brissie!

[lilyfrog]

Love the idea of the hot garden hose water for washout. Should work a treat up here in Brissie!

it does, I west Brissie

cheers

[iddee]

bernsad, I only have a 2 frame hand crank. It fits in the bath tub fine. I remove the basket as a unit. No other disassembly.

[Kathyp]

i use the bathtub also.  put the shower on jet for the tough stuff. 

[bernsad]

My wife already thinks I'm too invested in the bees and a bit strange. If I take the extractor in the shower with me she'll probably leave. I mean it is nice and shiny but... :lau:

[iddee]

You're just gonna have to decide which honey you want to keep...  :evil: :lau: