EUREKA, crystilization/reliquification ... way too easy

**Radical Bee** · 03-01-2011, 05:24 PM

even a cave man could do this, there must be something wrong with what i am doing. Instead of continuing to fret over whether to buy an small overpriced honey heater now, or struggle on for a couple of more years and buy a large overpriced one, or get a milk vat and make one...............it has occurred to me that all i needed to do was tie a rope to my 5 gal. jugs and suspend them in the hot tub. Runs 24/7 anyway and is pretty much a constant 104 degrees. My jug had no liquid movement in it, solid honey/sugar.......put it in up to the top 4 inches yesterday noonish, took it out late evening. Looks really good, tastes really good, no grit in the taste/texture.

Now in my experience vexing problems are not solved this easily so have at it with the caveats.

btw; except that my buyer is better set up to reliquify 60 gal. drums than i am, i could have just as easily put a drum that size in.

**Eek-a-beek** · 03-01-2011, 06:30 PM

εὕρηκα! indeed Archimedes. Although the ancient greeks did have hot tubs, cave men did not. As you have one it is a windfall for you to make incidental use of it like this, a solution good for you. There is nothing wrong with the idea. It is not at all clear though that it would make commercial sense for beekeepers to install hot tubs for this purpose.

**indypartridge** · 03-02-2011, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by Eek-a-beek

It is not at all clear though that it would make commercial sense for beekeepers to install hot tubs for this purpose.

Hmmm... the hot tub is a medical expense (therapy) required for the commercial beekeeper's back.

**AstroBee** · 03-02-2011, 06:58 AM

The only things that come to mind as possible problems are the humid environment and the possibility of the rope not holding. Make sure that the pails are very well sealed if not the honey may absorb moisture. Of course really well sealed pails may put extra stress (due to expansion of the air) on the lids as the honey heats up. You may need to keep an eye on the lids as the honey heats up. Not sure how you're using the rope to secure the pails, but perhaps some type of platform inside the tub might be better - maybe some plastic milk crates? A constant 104 is a great temp.

**Stanisr** · 03-02-2011, 07:46 AM

I'm with you Indy, a person would have to get in the hot tub to check on the progress of the honey giving the beek medical benefits as well. Could this be a tax deduction?

**HVH** · 03-02-2011, 08:15 AM

We used to have a hot tub and picked up a couple buckets with a 2X4 and then lowered in the tub.

**sqkcrk** · 03-02-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by indypartridge

Hmmm... the hot tub is a medical expense (therapy) required for the commercial beekeeper's back.

It's not a Hot Tub, it's a Reliquification Vat. A Depreciable Business Expense. What you use it for when buckets of honey aren't in it is no one elses business.

If the OPer isn't taking a business expense for the Hot Tub, I'd hate to have his electric or fuel bill, just to keep a tub of water at 120 degrees 24/7.

**HONEYDEW** · 03-02-2011, 06:24 PM

I hope your not selling this stuff

and if so don't let your customers no the way you reliquiefy their food

**Radical Bee** · 03-02-2011, 06:37 PM

Originally Posted by sqkcrk

If the OPer isn't taking a business expense for the Hot Tub, I'd hate to have his electric or fuel bill, just to keep a tub of water at 120 degrees 24/7.

Perhaps you would and perhaps you wouldn't. In the 4 years i have lived at this address my electric bill has never reached $100 and mostly runs in the low $80s. The value of electricity required to run MODERN DAY 110v hottub technology 24/7 at or near 104 degrees is apx $23 to $28/month. I bought this used on ebay 4 years ago for $1100 and a 500 mile each way drive to Atlanta to pick it up. It sits outside, above ground, seats 4, cap. is between 200 and 300 gallons, and serves as a water source for the apiary i have turned my front yard into.

I know you made your cost conscious comment based upon an older 220v technology that can get quite pricy, but that is no longer a concern and i would not want this idea rejected on the basis of outdated technology. This is easily the best investment i have made in a long time and that was b4 i discovered the reliquifying potential.

**USCBeeMan** · 03-02-2011, 06:48 PM

I use a heating pad.

**Radical Bee** · 03-02-2011, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by USCBeeMan

I use a heating pad.

I like the unencumbered functionality of that solution and there was a time it might have been very handy for me also. Hot tubs are required to have a top temp. not greater than either 104 or 106 IIRC, What size containers can you effectively use it on? Is there a specific temp. thermostat with your heating pad set up?

**USCBeeMan** · 03-02-2011, 07:09 PM

I fold up a comforter. Between the bottom 2 layers I put the heating pad. I put the jars on top of the second layer of the comforter directly on top of the heating pad.

I turn it on high and leave them there overnight. I have had some that were almost solid crystilazation. They were back to honey. I have put up to a dozen pints at a time on the heating pad setup. But I think you can get bigger heating pads.

The rest of the layers of the comforter are used as insulation.

Simple, cheap, clean.