In a message dated 23/06/2008 16:40:31 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask]  
writes:

Does  anyone have any experience with different methods of getting honey from 
the  comb in top bar hives? 


1.     That which has an acceptable appearance and  dimensions is cut and 
packed as cut comb honey.
 
2.    That which won't fit neatly into cut comb  containers might be suitable 
for chunk honey.
 
3.    Getting more technical, I often use a fruit  (cider) press to squeeze 
comb that has been placed in a nylon or muslin bag for  initial straining.
 
4.    More technical still, mashing the comb in a (food  grade!) bucket, 
warming to about fever pitch and pouring through a  strainer.
 
Other products of a top bar hive shouldn't be neglected:
 
5.     Patches of bee bread are delicious and  nutritious and should find a 
ready local market (if the beekeeper doesn't eat it  all!).
 
6.    By taking out one bar and easing the rest apart  by a smidgeon (or the 
metric equivalent) a harvest of propolis can be obtained  by running a hive 
tool down each side of the remaining bars at each opening of  the hive.  I was 
told by an African at Apimondia 2005 in Dublin that by  taking out several bars 
they can obtain large sheets of propolis and that the  ingress of light is 
the stimulus. I haven't tried this myself though.
 
Chris



   

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