On Mon, 20 May 1996, Allen Dick wrote:
 
> > >When harvesting honey, what percentage of uncapped cells can be
> > >tolerated without spoilage of the honey?  Do the frames need to be
> > >almost totally capped?
 
> Unfortunately, there is absolutely no direct  relationship  -- in
> spite of popular belief to the contrary -- between percentage of
> capped cells, and moisture content.
 
> There *is* a relationship, but it is not direct or consistent.
 
Checking the moisture content can be tricky for us small-scale
beekeepers who can't or won't afford a honey refractometer, which
is the "Right tool for the job". Sometimes, local beekeepeing
associations have them to borrow or hire.
 
I've sometimes wondered whether one can reliably/accurately
check the moisture content by measuring the specific gravity --
something that can be done with simpler & cheaper tools that
a refractometer. Anyone know?
 
Regards,
--
Gordon Scott   [log in to unmask]      [log in to unmask] (work)
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Beekeeper; Kendo 3rd Dan; Sometime sailor.  Hampshire, England.