Glossary
The process of removing honey from honeycomb frames and preparing it for bottling. The standard method involves uncapping sealed cells, spinning frames in a centrifugal extractor, straining the honey to remove wax particles, and settling before bottling.
Step 1 - Uncapping: sealed honey cells have a thin wax cap that must be removed before extraction. An uncapping knife (heated or cold), uncapping fork, or mechanical uncapper slices or scratches the wax cappings, exposing the honey beneath.
Step 2 - Extraction: uncapped frames are placed in a centrifugal extractor, a drum that spins frames rapidly. Centrifugal force flings honey out of the cells and against the drum wall, where it flows down to a gate valve at the bottom. The frames are undamaged and can be returned to the hive for refilling.
Step 3 - Straining: extracted honey passes through a strainer (typically 400-600 micron mesh) to remove wax particles, bee parts, and other debris. This coarse straining preserves pollen and beneficial compounds. Ultra-filtration (which removes pollen) is not used for raw honey.
Step 4 - Settling: strained honey rests in a settling tank for 24-48 hours. Air bubbles and any remaining fine particles rise to the surface and are skimmed off. The clarified honey is then bottled through the tank's bottom gate valve.
Centrifugal extraction does not damage the comb structure. The empty drawn comb (frames with intact but empty wax cells) is returned to the hive, where bees refill it with honey. This saves the bees the energy of building new comb and speeds the next harvest.
A healthy Langstroth colony in a good location can produce 30-60 pounds of surplus honey per year in most US climates. Exceptional years and locations may yield 100+ pounds. First-year colonies rarely produce surplus because they are building population and comb.
Extracted honey has been spun out of the comb and can be liquid or crystallized. Comb honey is sold still sealed in the beeswax comb, completely unprocessed. Comb honey commands higher prices but produces lower yields.
Keep Learning
Browse hundreds of terms covering honey, beekeeping, and natural skincare.