Uncapping tank

[Eich]

Hi everyone, I looking for an uncapping tub for a hobbiest of a dozen hives. Also looking for a way of straining honey as it comes from the extractor. Darrell

[Michael Bush]

I should note that I do all of this cold, no heating at all, unless I just use the oven to raise the temprature in the kitchen where I do this. I have used several methods and I will share the results:

The first method I used was just a double basket strainer for a five gallon bucket. I strained from the extractor to the bucket. The quality is what I want. Meaning all the wax and bee parts get strained but the pollen doesn't. Down side is the wax stops up the strainer fairly quickly and it's hard to clean it as good as it was at first because some of the wax is always sticking to the mesh. By the time you realize it's clogging up you have a long wait to let the rest run through so you can clean the strainer.

The second method (slight improvment) use TWO strainers and when one clogs up start running the honey from the extractor through the second one. When the first one is finally drained you can clean it and swap them and clean the second one after it drains. Much more efficient.

Third method (best I've come up with). Either buy or make a double five gallon bucket strainer. If you want to make one, take two five gallon buckets with lids. Use some silicon (the blue gasket sealer kind works well) and glue one of the lids to the bottom of the top bucket. With the lid down so it will act as the lid for the bottom bucket. After it's stuck well, turn it upside down and drill lots of large holes in the bottom. The size isn't critical, use whatever bit you have that's at least 1/2" but not more than 1". Fill it full of holes for the honey to come out. Cut some metal screen wire (the kind for screen doors) to fit inside the bottom of the bucket. (note this can be cleaned a few times and disposed of when it is too difficult to clean anymore because of the wax buildup) Use the bottom of the other bucket for a pattern and cut the screen slightly smaller than the diameter of the bottom of the bucket with a pair of snips. Put this in the bottom of the bucket with the holes and put that bucket on top of the second bucket. It's nicer if the second bucket has a honey gate. Run the honey from the extractor straight into another five gallon bucket without straining. When this bucket is full, dump this into the double bucket and let it strain five gallons at a time. If you want it strained better do it a second time through the double basket strainer into a five gallon bucket. If you want it really clean (as in very little pollen) you can get strainer cloth and make a liner for the five gallon bucket. If you have some 1/8" hardware cloth you could make a strainer lid for the bucket catching the honey from the extracter to catch the big pieces of wax and not stop up the screen in the double bucket as much.

Hope this isn't too confusing. It's more difficult to explain than it is to do. http://www.beesource.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Eich]

Thanks Michael,
I followed your article very well. I like the last one and will set out to build it as I can get all the 5 gallon white buckets I need. question? Does it make any difference if the screen is fiberglass or metal as we have both at Ace Hardware. It's nice to have help in getting set up. I plan to keep the honey raw and not heat it also, plus do some comb honey in the small supers using thin comb and cut it with a comb cutter from Dadants. Do people like honey with small pieces of was or pollen in it or should the honey be strained with a fine mesh strainer? Thanks Darrell

[Michael Bush]

Most people don't know there is pollen in honey, so they don't notice, but some might think it's something foriegn. I LIKE some pollen in my honey and health food people like it.

I use the metal because I can clean it in boiling water and it is stiffer if I have bigger holes. I can't say the fiberglass wouldn't work, but I have not used it.

[kayakdg]

If you plan to build these bucket strainers do not buy the buckets. Most times you can get them for free at the in house bakeries at the grocery stores. That is what they get the frosting and jelly for dognuts in. Dan

[Michael Bush]

Sometimes I can get them free and sometimes I have to buy them. But usually they are only a couple of bucks if they sell them used at a bakery or a resturant. You can buy them new at the hardware store or the "yuppie lumber yards" (Menards, Pay Less etc.)

[Eich]

I get the buckets free from the grocery store which has a bakery. They're very happy to give them away or they just throw them away themselves. Darrell Try the stores in your locality .

[Zeke]

Hi Eich ,
i use wire screen and a pair of NEW NONUSED
pantyhose for a 2 stage filter system .
if you are still intrested in a uncapping tank e-mail me privatly as i know a beekeeper that is retiring and wanting to sell all of his equipment .
Zeke