[jslo722]

Harvested my first batch of honey today in Bartlett, Illinois. It went pretty much as expected. Placed a bee escape on the hive this morning before the bees were flying too much. Pulled the super off about 4 hours later. There were a few stragglers that I brushed off so no problems. Uncapped the frames with a serrated bread knife. It worked very well....I'm glad I didn't purchase the electric heated knife. Spun the frames in my new birthday present....a new plastic, two frame extractor from Blue Sky Bees. Strained everything through a paint strainer in a 5 gallon bucket....got almost 40 pounds. The honey is DELICIOUS!!! It’s much lighter in color than I expected. I was afraid it was going to be runny, since it has been so humid here lately, but it was perfect. I put the super back on the hive wet....thanks to some of the advice obtained on this site. Tomorrow I think I will put the extractor and pans and such in the yard for the bees to clean up. I plan on placing them about 100 feet away and am hoping that does not encourage any robbing. Next week I will be extracting one of the supers on my second hive.

I think everyone in my family knows what they are getting for Christmas this year.

 

[jslo722]

Yes, that is the extractor I have. I also have two hives and I think it works great for what I need. It seems to be constructed well and it will take any size frame. I harvested medium size frames, but shallows and deeps will fit too.

 

[jslo722]

I really didn't plan on having any honey this year. I started with 2 two pound packages in the spring and was told not to get my hopes up too high. Now I just harvested my first medium super and have three additional medium supers ready to harvest. That will still leave the bees about 1/2 super for each hive right now with a decent fall flow coming up....or so I've been told. These are great problems to have I guess.

khaas15, I would love to help with your harvest, but this weekend is shot.