Reducing moisture content in honey using a bottling tank

[@bladeflapUH60]

I love it, wearing a Dadant hat using a Maxant bottling tank. I have a Dadant hat just like the one you're wearing but mine is very worn.

[@boogerhillbee]

My Dadant cap is worn out too. It is funny that I never noticed the Dadant cap/Maxant tank thing.

[@bladeflapUH60]

@@boogerhillbee I had a guy a couple of years ago that offered me $50.00 for my Dadant cap. Had to tell him, sorry... it's not for sale. :-D :-D

[@davemaloneyvideos]

Thanks for this. I extract about 800 lbs. I put supers in a small mud room with a dehumidifier. Then I get extract when I get around to it. Maybe a week or so later. I test as I bring in just out of curiosity. I test the open cells in partially capped frames. I test completely uncapped frames. When it is extracting time of the year, I have yet to find cells of less than 18.5% when I bring them into the mud room. Yesterday I tested a frame with no cappings at all on either side. 16.5%! At least in my apiary in Mid-MD, it appears that uncapped cells are the beneficiaries of all the drying out going on all around. Just tested a bucket of honey from 2 suppers of partially-capped frames. 17.8%. I think too much is emphasis is placed on waiting until frames are 80% to 100% capped.

[@boogerhillbee]

Actually testing is the only way to be sure. No question about it. We’ve had a nice, wet spring. Uncapped honey coming in at close to 19% isn’t a surprise. In years past I’ve seen it higher….and in other years lower. Curing it in the comb is much faster than trying to do so in a bucket, yet many people try to do that. When I bring it into the honey house, I want to extract and be done. So, for me whatever works fastest is the way I tend to go. Blending it with lower moisture honey is my preferred method so I can move on to the next yard.

[@dadu63]

I agree Dave. Too much

[@danveneski726]

Three questions. 1. Do you leave the lid on during this process or do you leave it open so steam/moisture can escape? 2. So after putting in 15 gallons and running it for 1hr at 100deg then letting it sit for 24hrs, what moisture content % drop do you expect? I have one of these Maxant bottling tanks and think this would be a great use. 3. Do you use this bottling tank for wax melting? Thanks again for your answers!

[@boogerhillbee]

Good questions. When I leave it for overnight or for any extended period with honey in it, I leave the lid on. I don’t want to encourage ants or other critters who might find themselves swimming in the honey. As soon as I think I’m ready to put it into buckets or jars, I first open the lid and inspect the underside. It isn’t uncommon for there to be condensation collected there. I dry this off with a towel. When I am trying to reduce the moisture content from high moisture honey, I blend in honey with low moisture content. The result depends on the moisture content of both and the relative quantities of each. I do a little algebra to estimate the end result but also use a refractometer to check the final product. I don’t melt wax in mine. A bit too messy for me. I have some solar wax melters that I use for my wax. Thanks for watching. Dan

[@danveneski726]

@@boogerhillbee thanks for the response, i appreciate it.

[@zahrahoneypakistan9798]

Hello sir، How to dry extracted Honey?

[@desmondsimmons1436]

Have you ever tested the honey after its been in a 5 gal bucket for a few months?

[@boogerhillbee]

As you might guess, I use food grade buckets. Beekeepers have been storing honey in this type of container for decades. What do you suggest that I test for? Are you aware of any history of contamination?

[@desmondsimmons1436]

@@boogerhillbee I use food grade buckets also was wondering if you tested mostior level after bucket has been stored for a long time.

[@boogerhillbee]

@@desmondsimmons1436 The buckets that I use have a gasket in the cover. They seal up very well. I check the moisture content before closing them. I don’t see any way for them to collect additional moisture after they’ve been closed.

[@zahrahoneypakistan9798]

please any one answer