How to Harvest Honey

I must say, as a beekeeper I look forward to the day I can reap the benefits of my hard work. This day, otherwise known as Harvest Day goes as follows:

Before we start:

-Leave some honey in the hive for your bees -- they need it to survive! I never take honey from the brood chamber (the box that holds 10 frames, located underneath the super).

Step 1:

-24 hours prior to removing the frames in your hive, a bee escape should be placed in the hole in the inner cover of your hive, between the brood chamber and the honey super. Come nightfall, the bees will cluster together to keep warm. The bees in the super will migrate down to the brood chamber - once they migrate, they are not able to return to the super.

Step 2:

-The next day, remove the frames that are fully capped. I recommend pulling frames that are at least ¾ capped. Brush off any bees left on these frames (I use a bee brush) or shake the frames in front of the hive to remove the bees. Once the bees are removed, carry the frames over to your extractor.

Step 3:

-Remove the wax cappings from each frame using an uncapping fork. Hold the frame over a tub that will catch the wax cappings. It’s best to hold the frame vertically. Start at the top and  slowly/carefully move the uncapping fork down the frame and remove the caps. If you remove the capping it allows for you to return the frames back to the bees without them having to re-build each frame.

Step 4:

-Place your frames that have been uncapped into the honey spinner. Place your honey strainer and bucket underneath this spinner. Be sure to close the spout! Start spinning the frames slowly then speed up. Usually after 4 minutes I switch the frames around. Continue spinning until all the honey is removed from the frames. 

Step 5:

-Once you have honey at the bottom of your spinner, open the honey spout and allow the honey to seep into your honey strainer/bucket. The honey will flow down into the bucket and because the strainer is at the top, the honey will be free of bee guts/wings and unwanted particles! It will then flow to the bottom of the bucket.

Step 6:

-Open the spout of the honey bucket, and hold a jar underneath to catch the honey! Continue until the honey bucket is empty and your jars are full!

Step 7:

-Return the frames to the hive so the bees can return back to work!

Tools Needed:

1. Uncapping Fork

2. Spinner

3. Strainer/filter (cheesecloth is fine)

4. Honey Bottling Bucket

5. Jars & Lids