Here is Part 1 ua-cam.com/video/agikXbEnLJU/v-deo.html Here is the $12 uncapping fork: amzn.to/2RwJqtT Harmony farms uncapper: amzn.to/2LA2lQW And some of our other favorite tools: www.amazon.com/shop/tennessees-bees (Aff links)
As a hobby beekeeper I usual just use the decapping fork. You get the caps with little damage to the comb and put them back on the hive for the girls to clean up and refill.
We've had the Simple Harmony uncapper for over a year now and really like it. Depending on how you angle the frame in the uncapper, you can open most if not all of the cells. We tried the hot knife, roller, heat gun, etc. and none of them do the job as well as this one.
I've got one and for a number of reasons, I would not recommend it. It does not work with Hoffman type frames - I'm in the UK and most people use hoffman type frames - I think about 70% in all. When I found this out, I asked SHF to mention this on their site as it's an expensive item and useless if you have Hoffman type frames but, to date, I don't see this references so I'm posting a warning here. It works reasonably well if your frame sides are completely straight and are parallel AND if the cappings are well proud of the frame sides. However, it needs two passes at right angles to each other (i.e. to create a 'cross' cut) to enable honey to flow. For this reason, I would recommend that supers with wide spaced castellations be used. It is difficult to puncture cappings that are not proud of the frame sides. I resorted to scrapping with a knife blade to puncture low patches of cappings. Another point - a lot less honey is extracted through the perforated cappings than those uncapped with a bread knife. - I haven't done a controlled test but observationally, a lot more honey 'sticks' in the frames after extraction compared with frames uncapped with a bread knive. About 75% of my super frames are hoffmans so I had to raid the kitchen for a knive to uncap them so the visual comparison was easy. I also found that I had to spin frames for much longewr than bread-knife uncapped frames to get any reasonable extraction. Finally, and this will only be proven next year, but the uncapper fairly shreds the comb that extends beyond the frame sides. I suspect that when the bees try to repair this comb for re-use next season, it will result in very uneven cappings which will make the process next year less efficient. Not recommended - a nice idea in theory and well designed and constructed but unfortunately, quite poor in execution. Also, v expensive!
My freind has a decapper that looks like a paint roller with spikes on it. Its about 4 in. Wide. He realy likes it. You just roll it all over, like your painting.
It definitely has pros and cons. Over time we hope to have a wide variety of videos targeting bee products so that beekeepers can better know what they are getting before they buy.
Just goes to show with bee keeping there is many ways of doing something. More importantly is working out what works best for you in your part of the world and how you work with your bees.
Pro: the frames look beutifull after extraction, prewarmed honey is more fluidCons: full cells pop small wax-sprinkles all over your new kitchen, empty cells melt faster
You answered what I needed to know....the SHF uncapper doesn't really accomplish any advantage....it might uncap cells faster, but causes a mess with the wax. Granted, there's going to be wax to strain out....but to leave it on the frames for the bees to discard is counterintuitive. It's highly unlikely I'll ever own a chain uncapper...so, a knife or scratcher will have to do. One comment....please go ahead and put your wife on display so all the voyeurs will hush. It's getting ridiculous. I'm beginning to wonder if they watch to learn about beekeeping or just hoping to see the young lady behind the camera.
Here is Part 1 ua-cam.com/video/agikXbEnLJU/v-deo.html
Here is the $12 uncapping fork:
amzn.to/2RwJqtT
Harmony farms uncapper: amzn.to/2LA2lQW
And some of our other favorite tools:
www.amazon.com/shop/tennessees-bees
(Aff links)
The fork says unavailable. Where else can you get a decent fork like that?
@@NielsenValleyFarms I would check out Mann lake I think they have one similar but I think it may cost more
visited the amazon site to get some tool and most of them should its out stock is this really true?
This is my favorite part of beekeeping and I love traces of wax cappings in the honey that I eat.
I process a little comb honey every year to satisfy my wax cravings.
As a hobby beekeeper I usual just use the decapping fork. You get the caps with little damage to the comb and put them back on the hive for the girls to clean up and refill.
Laurel does exist, see her reflection in the side of the uncapping tank!
We've had the Simple Harmony uncapper for over a year now and really like it. Depending on how you angle the frame in the uncapper, you can open most if not all of the cells. We tried the hot knife, roller, heat gun, etc. and none of them do the job as well as this one.
I've got one and for a number of reasons, I would not recommend it.
It does not work with Hoffman type frames - I'm in the UK and most people use hoffman type frames - I think about 70% in all. When I found this out, I asked SHF to mention this on their site as it's an expensive item and useless if you have Hoffman type frames but, to date, I don't see this references so I'm posting a warning here.
It works reasonably well if your frame sides are completely straight and are parallel AND if the cappings are well proud of the frame sides. However, it needs two passes at right angles to each other (i.e. to create a 'cross' cut) to enable honey to flow. For this reason, I would recommend that supers with wide spaced castellations be used. It is difficult to puncture cappings that are not proud of the frame sides. I resorted to scrapping with a knife blade to puncture low patches of cappings.
Another point - a lot less honey is extracted through the perforated cappings than those uncapped with a bread knife. - I haven't done a controlled test but observationally, a lot more honey 'sticks' in the frames after extraction compared with frames uncapped with a bread knive. About 75% of my super frames are hoffmans so I had to raid the kitchen for a knive to uncap them so the visual comparison was easy. I also found that I had to spin frames for much longewr than bread-knife uncapped frames to get any reasonable extraction.
Finally, and this will only be proven next year, but the uncapper fairly shreds the comb that extends beyond the frame sides. I suspect that when the bees try to repair this comb for re-use next season, it will result in very uneven cappings which will make the process next year less efficient.
Not recommended - a nice idea in theory and well designed and constructed but unfortunately, quite poor in execution. Also, v expensive!
My freind has a decapper that looks like a paint roller with spikes on it. Its about 4 in. Wide. He realy likes it. You just roll it all over, like your painting.
Thanks Kamon, I really wondered what that device would do and how the spun out frames would look and yield. Cheers for sharing your experiences.
Laurel and Kamon one awesome team. Laurel, great vidioing. Zooming when needed on perfect timing.
Thanks !!
Great vidoes. Sure has learn me alot. Love the vidoes.
Down here where am from,,we sometimes never experience a dearth season..😊🇱🇨👊👍🖤
Oh yeah,,Can you harvest honey in a dearth season???
Thank you for that review. I was thinking about getting one, but maybe not anymore
It definitely has pros and cons. Over time we hope to have a wide variety of videos targeting bee products so that beekeepers can better know what they are getting before they buy.
Just goes to show with bee keeping there is many ways of doing something. More importantly is working out what works best for you in your part of the world and how you work with your bees.
I looked into it a couple of years ago and it was in the neighborhood of $400.00.
Kamon....Is there a hot knife video in the near future?
hot knife, cold knife, steam generator the works
Just throwing money away .. I have my screens backing up the extraction as it is
Does Sam Drucker's grandson still run the general store?
Have you tried a Hot Air Gun ?
I have not
Pro: the frames look beutifull after extraction, prewarmed honey is more fluidCons: full cells pop small wax-sprinkles all over your new kitchen, empty cells melt faster
What's the brand of the sharp scraper
Witam powiedz kolego czy dobrze dokładnie wylatuje miód z komórek po tym urządzeniu ???? Czy coś zostaje w komórkach????
How many times do you extract honey?
In a year
In early june. Sometimes we pull a little off early but we only pull spring honey.
You answered what I needed to know....the SHF uncapper doesn't really accomplish any advantage....it might uncap cells faster, but causes a mess with the wax. Granted, there's going to be wax to strain out....but to leave it on the frames for the bees to discard is counterintuitive. It's highly unlikely I'll ever own a chain uncapper...so, a knife or scratcher will have to do.
One comment....please go ahead and put your wife on display so all the voyeurs will hush. It's getting ridiculous. I'm beginning to wonder if they watch to learn about beekeeping or just hoping to see the young lady behind the camera.