Pawtuckaway Beekeepers Association owns extracting equipment that may be used for free by PBA members in good standing. There will be a $25.00 deposit that will be refunded when the equipment is returned on time and in the same condition it was borrowed.
The equipment consists of: manual Maxant 3100 H9 Extractor, uncapping knife, double sieve, spatula, and uncapping frame holder.
Members will need to provide their own:
- Uncapping fork,
- 2- food grade 5 gallon buckets (1 with with a honey gate),
- Bottles or other containers for honey bottling.
- New/Clean/Soapless scrub pad for cleaning
- Paint filters recommended for straining honey from cappings
- Tarp floor protection
- Helper to lift the unit – it is bulky
The food-grade 5-gallon bucket will go under the double sieve and under the honey gate of the extractor. The honey gate on extractor should remain open while in use. The collection bucket must have the honey gate closed at extraction time. You will keep the extracted honey in your own bucket and allow it to settle while bubbles rise to the top. Bottling can be done the following day.
Accountability and Care
The use of this equipment is for PBA members exclusively and is considered a benefit of membership.
Do not pass the equipment around to other Beekeepers without prior approval, as you will be responsible for its return.
Handle with Care
Protect the equipment from damage and excessive wear and tear.
Report any problems or malfunctions to the Extraction Manager as soon as possible.
Damages are the responsibility of the member borrowing the equipment.
Borrowing Guidelines
There will be a three day borrowing time.
Picking up and Returning Equipment
Contact the Extractor Manager at ExtractorMgr@pawtuckawaybeekeepers.org at least 24 hours prior to pickup. Note Honey Extractor on the subject line and include your name and phone number and other relevant information. Equipment pick up time and location will be provided when reservations are confirmed. Please do not be late when picking up or returning the equipment.
Cleaning the Equipment
The extractor, double sieve, uncapping frame holder, knife and spatula must be returned clean and without honey, wax or debris as a courtesy to the next borrower. Return it how you would like to receive it.
How to Clean
- Do NOT take the extractor apart to clean it!
- Do NOT use detergents as they will leave a residue in the honey.
- Rinse (possibly more than once) with cold water to remove wax particles. Rinse thoroughly again with HOT water. Let air dry. Return the equipment dry.
- Keep extractor in the cardboard box for transport.
Extractor Managers
Helpful Hints
If you are new to extracting, contact your mentor or another experienced beekeeper.
Before the extractor arrives, clean and arrange open space and the supplies in your work area.
Cover the floor with a plastic sheet or card board. If away from running water have a dishpan with warm water and a towel for sticky hands.
Extract in a closed area away from the bees as it is will cause a feeding frenzy. The honey will flow better if this area is warm.
The honey gate must always be in the OPEN position when turning the crank with the double sieve and your bucket underneath.
Extract honey from fully capped frames. Uncapped honey may ferment due to high water content allowing yeast and other microbes to thrive.
When borrowing the club extractor use the honey for human consumption only. Do not feed it back to the bees. It is possible there are pathogens from previous use. Please be sure your hives are healthy when extracting honey.
Much of the honey will remain in the tank after spinning. Tip the extractor toward the honey gate and leave overnight in a warm area.
Extracted wax frames may be placed in a super above the inner cover for 2 days for the bees to clean. Store or reuse. We suggest that you do not open feed as it will cause a feeding frenzy or start robbing of hives.
If you are using your cappings, freeze them for a day to kill wax moths and small hive beetles.
Remember wax is very valuable and requires many more resources to create.
| PAWTUCKAWAY BEEKEEPERS ASSOCIATION *Special Thank you to Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association |