Honey Extraction from a Warre Hive. So Yummy!

See how we use a very simple method to extract honey from a top bar warre hive. This is a different method than for a langstroth hive which is on a full frame. It’s a sticky and delicious time!

[@evanholland7876]

Would love to see how you make mead from the leftovers! Also, what do you do with that much honey?

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Okey dokey, I will make a video on it! I usually make videos on whatever I am doing at the time anyway! As far as what I will do with the honey, we use it all year instead of white sugar. So, I will use it in jams, baking, coffee/tea, or to supplement natural sugars in fermentations. We also make maple syrup/sugar that we use for baking as well. The hope is to become self sufficient with our sugar use. We'll see! Thanks for the comment!

[@honeyboyd6560]

I’m super new to Bee’s and have been working with a flow hive . But have just been given 2 warre hives there so exciting.Amanda you have taught me so much already I would LOVE to see a video on you mead process please But can you tell me can you use the wax for say candles or lipgloss type things as well ? Love from Australia 🇦🇺 🦘🐝

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Hello there from Australia! I actually have videos on making mead as well as making candles! If you check my KZbin home page under the section Warre Beekeeping they should be there. You definitely can use the wax for lip-gloss and cosmetics as well. It would be a good choice since the hives are managed organically. Good luck with your bees!

[@ScottPurcell]

You can speed the process up by using a finer strainer and then more fully crush the comb (as you described). I use a nylon mesh strainer but I've also seen stainless steel variants. With the strainer, it keeps back the wax bits that you described as clouding the honey when you crush it and strain with only a colander.

[@idamandahomestead4221]

I see what you're saying, that's a good idea. Thanks for the comment!

[@Backwater-wanderer]

I’m interested in getting my first hive, would you recommend a warre over a langstroth for a complete beginner? I like the idea of a natural comb, however processing the honey seems very labor intensive. Thanks for the great video! I just subscribed

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Hello there and welcome! I personally love the warre hive and would recommend it. However, you may find that many beginner beekeeping courses just don't apply to you and they may not be receptive to warre beekeeping methods. So, if you want a mentor then a more traditional hive might be necessary. You could always get two hives, one of each! It's usually a good idea to have more than one anyway in case something happens to one, you can split the other if they get strong enough. As far as the honey extraction goes, yes it is labour intensive but then again cheaper than having to buy a honey extractor! Let me know what you decide!

[@pasiekapodwierzbamidariusz2948]

Piękny gęsty miód , super odparowany. Miodobranie robiłaś w tym miesiącu ?

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Yes, I had a couple of hives that didn't make it through the winter so I am harvesting the honey from those boxes. I plan to make mead by extracting honey from the honeycombs. Can't wait to try that! Thanks for the comment!

[@joons47]

where did you get your warre tool? How long is it? Love your videos

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Thanks for the comment! I ordered my hive tool from BeeBuilt in the U.S. Here's the link; beebuilt.com/products/ultimate-top-bar-hive-tool. It's just long enough to get to the bottom of the box with the handle above the top bars. It definitely makes it easier to get those bars out without damaging them too much! Thanks for watching!

[@user-kl5qc5gq7h]

I've taken my first box off my Warre. The box is full of crystallised honey. Would you have advise for extraction. I'm mashing it through the sieve as it won't run through on its own. Thanks

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Hello there, thanks for the comment! I think you'll have to heat up the honey and wax so both melt. Then you can filter out the dirt. The wax will rise to the top and solidify and the honey should be underneath. Since you'll have to heat it up quite a bit technically this would be called Bakers Honey and be used for cooking and baking. Good luck!

[@davidlicari690]

Where do you find the Warre Hive tool? Can't seem to find anything like that anywhere.

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Hello there! I bought mine from Bee Built. beebuilt.com/products/ultimate-top-bar-hive-tool. I have also seen then on Kijiji. It's great, but I have other folks suggest to flip the box over and cut the comb from there. This obviously isn't as easy if you need to try to get a single one out while the bees are in the hive. Thanks for the comment!

[@jimhager8583]

Try setting your strainer down into a canning funnel,

[@idamandahomestead4221]

That's a really good idea! I am always glad to have suggestions about how to improve my techniques. Thanks for the comment!

[@runningdogapiary5009]

you could just flip the box upside down. cut all the attachments loose, then flip it back over. Just a suggestion Thanks for the video

[@idamandahomestead4221]

That's true! I used to do that before I got my warre tool, but I was worried about the comb breaking when I was flipping it around. Either way works, what ever you have! Thanks for the comment!

[@JM-nb7kn]

Veo en el vídeo que la calientas .. Si la calientas la miel pierde propiedades hmdl Lo que suelo hacer yo es lo filtro y lo dejo en un cubo la suciedades y la cera suben a arriba y cuando está dura o cristalizada le quitó lo de arriba raspando y la mie a l la Batidora y la hago crema que está buenísima y no hace falta calentarla un saludo .. miel crema

[@idamandahomestead4221]

Thanks for the suggestion! I will think about trying that! I usually just heat it on low enough to reduce the viscosity, not more than that to maintain the enzymes and beneficial compounds. Next time I will use a thermometer to make sure I am not getting it above the recommended temperature levels. Thanks for watching!

[@user-kb2mr8bf5v]

How do you get the bees off the comb before bringing into the house?

[@idamandahomestead4221]

I have a bee escape board that I put below the box I want to take off. It allows the bees to leave the box but they can't get back in. I leave it on for about 48hrs and then they should be basically no bees left in the box. Then I put the box right into a garbage bag before I carry it inside the house. Otherwise the bees may follow you with the box! Thanks for the comment!

[@honeyboyd6560]

I’d love to see a video on that if you get time

[@idamandahomestead4221]

@@honeyboyd6560 that is a good idea for a video! The next time I'm doing an extraction I definitely will. What I use is a bee escape board that is designed for the warre hive. It allows bees to leave the top box but not come back in. I usually put it on about a week before I plan to extract the honey. By then it's pretty much empty. Then I put the box directly into a plastic bag. Otherwise bees will smell it and follow me into the house! Thanks for the comment!