Uncapping Honeycombs

Session 3

Honey Extraction

Before the honey can be extracted from the comb the wax cappings need to be removed.

For most Hobby Beekeepers using the Uncapping Fork is the most cost effective tool to achieve this. No need to fork out $250 for an electric hot knife!

A work space like the following can be set up on the kitchen bench:

tray on mat

1. Placing a rubber mat under the plastic tray prevents the tray from slipping on the kitchen bench.

2. Place a custom made Jig (made from wood) as a tight fit onto the plastic tray. The nail serves as a pivot point to rest the honey frames on.

Pivot jig

3. A basket placed into the plastic tray serves as a strainer for the honey that gets potentially removed with the wax cappings. When the Uncapping Fork is used correctly this amount of honey is only tiny and the basket is considered optional.

Uncapping setup

The Hive Tool is used to scrape off burr comb and propolis from the frames.

The Uncapping Fork is used to remove the wax cappings, NOT to scratch their surface.

Correct use of the Uncapping Fork is vital, as shown in the following excellent video clip on YouTube.

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