I set out to do my very first honey harvest this morning (after help yesterday about what to do about the wrong size fume board). Here is what I learned:
1. Be sure your extractor is the correct size for the frames you are using - mine was not. I now have an extractor for sale.....never been used.
2. The uncapping knife is VERY sharp and blood in the honey is not very appealing. I think you should remove the capped honey in a downward motion, not upward as my book says.
3. The crush and strain method of harvesting works very well, and I think that is what I will do in the future.
4. Remember to remove the fume board after you have taken the supers off - I left it on all day. The bees are probably in a dug induced coma now.
4. I have 33 -1 lb jars of the best honey I have ever eaten, a whole bunch of wax, extremely painful arthritic hands, and a smile on my face. I think I am strutting when I walk, too.
I just had to share this with other bee people - thanks for listening!
1. Be sure your extractor is the correct size for the frames you are using - mine was not. I now have an extractor for sale.....never been used.
2. The uncapping knife is VERY sharp and blood in the honey is not very appealing. I think you should remove the capped honey in a downward motion, not upward as my book says.
3. The crush and strain method of harvesting works very well, and I think that is what I will do in the future.
4. Remember to remove the fume board after you have taken the supers off - I left it on all day. The bees are probably in a dug induced coma now.
4. I have 33 -1 lb jars of the best honey I have ever eaten, a whole bunch of wax, extremely painful arthritic hands, and a smile on my face. I think I am strutting when I walk, too.
I just had to share this with other bee people - thanks for listening!
When using a knife always cut away from you 
