How to Effectively Store, De-crystallize and Bottle up Honey Throughout the Year

[@martinsnnaji1301]

Nice video, what is the bottle size you used in the video???

[@rickmartin9823]

Try the home brew heat pad,just sit your bucket on it it might even get rid of the crystals right to the bottom?

[@brucesbees]

I have founds that if we get it off the floor it seems to help some. I think the floor keeps it cooler under there. So we put it up on a crate and it works much better.

[@ryanwhite8022]

Does the honey remain raw using this pail heater? What temp does it heat to? Great video thank you.

[@brucesbees]

I am not sure of temp but it takes a day or two. It depends on the definition of raw. I think it classifies but some might I’d agree because it is heated some. The key is to get it bottled up as soon as possible and not leave it on heat for extended periods of time IMO.

[@desmondsimmons1436]

I built a insulated box that I can fit 2 5 gal buckets or bottles of honey. In the box I have a couple of 100 w light bulbs and an old hot water heater controller to set the temp. Been using for several years and comes in handy.

[@brucesbees]

I may have to try that one day.

[@George-nx5lo]

Not bad but the absolute best and cheapest way to to purchase heat tape. Very inexpensive and get a cheap thermostat. You can just set the buckets up along the heat tape as long as you want and that works great. Temp is extremely precious this way and you can get really creative with the heat tape

[@brucesbees]

Sounds like a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@reindeersbees]

Does the bucket heater pasteurize the honey?

[@brucesbees]

No. I just warm it long enough to decrystallize the honey. It actually takes a day or two if the honey is crystallized through to get the job done.

[@charlesoneill466]

Great video. Thanks.

[@brucesbees]

Thanks for watching!

[@tashaw3636]

I haveva bucket of sour honey. How keep that from happening?

[@brucesbees]

Probably had too much water content. Need to make sure honey is capped before harvesting. Also if able should check the water content and it is possible to dehydrate it a bit with the right equipment. But I just usually make sure mine is sufficiently capped before I harvest it.

[@George-nx5lo]

Dude wtf you know how many people try to get their honey to look like that. Its absolutely perfect, it actually gives your honey slightly velvet like texture vs straight pancake syrup texture

[@brucesbees]

Yes it is awesome! Good stuff! Thanks for watching!

[@mentos3348]

how do you sterilized the plastic bottle?

[@brucesbees]

I don’t usually do anything to steer like them. Most bottles are clean when I buy them as far as I know. I bottle up thousands of pounds of honey each year. If I reuse jars or bottles I clean them in the dishwasher.

[@mikeries8549]

If you've got ten or more hives just splurge and buy a bottling tank with dripless valve. Eventually you'll use heating pad and electric blanket to decrystalize a plastic bucket of honey. The plastic can become brittle and crack like an egg. 5 gallon honey mess. It only happens once and your wife will demand that you get the tank. Mann Lake's bottling tank is nice.

[@brucesbees]

That is definitely on my wish list. Will get there one day.

[@mikeries8549]

First get a little money box with a key and a safe to keep the box in. (Sounds tough but a gun safe is perfect) Every bit of honey money goes in and before you know it there's a nice pile of loot. It's an amazing hobby. My little box always has some emergency loot locked up in it. Bees teach all sorts of lessons.

[@brucesbees]

Yes!!! No doubt. I love. Have made enough with it to feed the obsession. I am definitely at sideliner status now. It’s a little more than a hobby. Maybe will take it to the next level someday. How many hobbies have the potential to actually pay for themselves? Cool stuff!

[@mohhor4998]

Dear friend Thank you for sharing this In a matter of heating honey the honey will lose lot of its own flavour and benefits This is an advise of a honeybee expert

[@brucesbees]

Not true in this case. I don’t believe I heat it up enough for it to lose it’s flavor or benefits. My customers still love it. It takes a day or two for it to de-crystallize so it is a slow process. Seems to work well for me. Many people do not want to buy crystallized honey even though it is still just as good for you. I have found this to work well to process my honey and still be able to sell it. Thanks fo checking in.

[@mikeries8549]

Honey buyers are so misinformed that they think honey crystallizes because it's fake and has sugar in it BECAUSE YOU CAN SEE IT. Had a nice conversation errr argument face to face with an Arab man who was accusing me of faking honey before he'd even tried it. Finally I gave him the honey bear for free and said do not come back you are not welcome here. I take this stuff personally.

[@brucesbees]

I know. People just don’t understand. But most folks are pretty open minded about it once I explain it to them. It’s just easier to sell it when it’s clear in my experience.

[@mikeries8549]

@@brucesbees bottling tank was a big investment. We were heating buckets and one cracked like an egg so the bottling tank was a no brainer. It's so nice to just dump three buckets in and plug it in. Set to 120F. In a couple days it's settled and no crystals. We grade every bucket so that when we blend three buckets its all the same color. People go crazy for the water white stuff.

[@brucesbees]

Yes if I continue to grow that and a recapping setup will be two of my next purchases. I am growing so fast right now I am not sure how to keep up. Equipment alone is going to eat me alive.

[@Dwrizzol]

Where did you say you bought your bottles?

[@brucesbees]

Sailor Plastics

[@brucesbees]

www.sailorplastics.com/

[@Dwrizzol]

@@brucesbees Thanks for the prompt reply!

[@brucesbees]

You are more than welcome. Hope it helps🍯

[@prlsvs]

Thanks for the video. Where do you get your labels?

[@brucesbees]

I have always ordered from Brushy Mountain but they have shut their doors so I will be getting new labels this upcoming year when these run out. Several companies make clear labels and I really like them but may change to a different type of label or make a custom one altogether. Not sure yet. I really like these Brushy Mountain ones and am bummed that they went out of business.

[@prlsvs]

I got my bottles and labels from Mann Lake last year but I like the honey dipper design on yours better and Mann lake didn't offer that. Oh well maybe they will add it this year. How much do you sell your honey for if you don't mind me asking?

[@brucesbees]

$7/pound. Could probably go $8 but feel more comfortable at the $7 price point

[@mikeries8549]

People want glass jars. Took us a while to get it but once we started offering half-gallon size it's what nearly all our customers buy. Big Mason jars. We sell plastic bears but not as many as we did when we didn't use glass. $35 for a half gallon sells fast. Less labeling.

[@brucesbees]

I may look into that. Sometimes people ask for a gallon. I also sell it in 5 gallon buckets.

[@marcusjordan2518]

How can I get a bottle of your honey...I live in Dothan.

[@brucesbees]

Can you email me at [e-mail]?

[@jenniferapiary]

Hi from NC thanks

[@brucesbees]

Thanks for checking in!