The day before
the crush and strain, I removed eight deep frames of capped honey from the freezer and left the frames to
thaw inside their plastic bag. I cut away the honey comb and nearly filled a five gallon bucket - probably the limit of my strainer.
Including preparation and clean-up, the entire crush portion took just one hour - a new record. Here's my best effort with a material balance.
I rinsed the wax pieces in warm water and dried those pieces on the sunny driveway. Next, I placed the pieces in bags which are stored in the freezer until I was ready to use the solar melter. Sounds extreme, but a few years ago wax moths made a complete mess of unprocessed wax which I left indoors.
Coincidentally, I started the solar melting during Atlanta's all-time record of 106°F. The block of wax smells great and has a beautiful deep yellow color - I'm blown away.
Including preparation and clean-up, the entire crush portion took just one hour - a new record. Here's my best effort with a material balance.
- 48.0lb of honey + 8 deep frames + wax
- 42.6lb of honey + wax
- 37.0lb of honey
2 comments:
Great insights on the crush and strain method—it really highlights how small-scale beekeepers can produce raw, high-quality honey with minimal equipment .
From a B2B perspective, this also opens up strong opportunities in honey packaging. Since this method preserves natural enzymes and purity, brands can position their products as premium, raw, and minimally processed. The right honey packaging—like glass jars, eco-friendly containers, and clear labeling—can significantly enhance perceived value and help differentiate in competitive markets.
Overall, combining traditional extraction methods with smart honey packaging strategies can drive better branding and higher margins in the honey business.
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