AFRICAN BEEKEEPERS LIMITED
Honey Uncapping Equipment
Before honey can be extracted from a mature Langstroth frame, the thin beeswax layer sealing the honey cells must be carefully removed.
African Beekeepers Limited supplies practical uncapping equipment for preparing capped honey frames while collecting loose cappings and dripping honey for recovery.
OPENING CAPPED HONEY CELLS
Uncapping Fork
The uncapping fork is used to lift and remove the beeswax cappings that seal mature honey inside the cells of a honeycomb.
Its closely spaced metal tines can reach uneven or slightly recessed areas of the comb that may be difficult to open using a conventional uncapping knife.
- Closely spaced metal uncapping tines
- Comfortable moulded handle
- Suitable for uneven comb surfaces
- Useful in small and rural honey-processing units
- Supports selective removal of wax cappings
How it is used
- Place the capped frame securely over an uncapping tray.
- Insert the tips of the fork just beneath the wax cappings.
- Lift the cappings away without digging deeply into the comb.
- Continue until the mature honey cells are open.
- Place the prepared frame in the extractor or drip rack.
The fork should be cleaned and dried before and after use to maintain hygienic honey-processing conditions.
FRAME SUPPORT AND HONEY RECOVERY
Uncapping Tray
ABL’s uncapping tray provides a stable working area for preparing capped honey frames before extraction.
The support rack holds frames above the collection container while their wax cappings are removed. Loose cappings and dripping honey fall into the tray instead of being lost on the floor or processing surface.
After uncapping, prepared frames can remain on the rack temporarily while waiting to be transferred into the honey extractor.
- Supports frames during uncapping
- Provides temporary storage for prepared frames
- Collects loose beeswax cappings
- Captures honey dripping from opened cells
- Helps keep the processing area organized
- Suitable for small and community processing units
Recovering honey and beeswax
The collected cappings can be allowed to drain so that retained honey is recovered. The remaining wax can then be cleaned and processed separately as beeswax.
All parts that contact honey should be thoroughly cleaned and completely dry before processing begins.
THE UNCAPPING PROCESS
Prepare mature honey frames for extraction
- Confirm that the honeycomb is properly capped and ready for harvesting.
- Position the frame over the uncapping tray.
- Remove the wax seals using the uncapping fork.
- Allow loose wax and honey to collect in the tray.
- Transfer the opened frame into the honey extractor.
- Drain and recover honey retained in the wax cappings.
HONEY HARVESTING AND PROCESSING
Prepare Your Honey Frames for Efficient Extraction
Contact African Beekeepers Limited for current prices, uncapping equipment, honey extractors, processing accessories and practical honey-harvesting training.
