How to Clean a Honey Extractor

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Cleaning your honey extractor is an important step in the beekeeping process. A clean extractor ensures that your harvest is pure and free from contamination. In this guide, you will learn the most common ways to clean your honey extractor after use. No matter the size and model of the machine you are using, removing the stickiness of honey and bits of wax is a universal need that applies to all extractors.

Honey extractor with bits of wax and honey residue inside ready to clean.

As a Master Beekeeper, I have had the opportunity to see extractors used for honey of every shape and size. In all of them, honey flung from the comb ends up in all the little nicks and crannies. A spotless used machine is not a reality for most of us but we can do a good cleanup.

Why Cleaning an Extractor is Important

There are several reasons that cleaning the extractor should be on your beekeeping task list. Among the most important are:

  • regular cleaning ensures that each honey batch is a pure as possible
  • left over honey or material in your extractor could ferment or spoil – causing odor or bacteria
  • cleaning increases the longevity of your equipment – sticky residues can cause wear and tear
  • if you sell honey – clean equipment is required for health and safety regulations
  • working with clean equipment saves you time – its more efficient

Honey Extractor Cleaning Methods

  • let bees clean it
  • pressure washing
  • car wash
  • clean water and rags
Graphic of bees cleaning extractor and the pros and cons.

Let the Bees Clean It

A popular option for many beekeepers is to move the wet honey extractor outside and let the bees clean it. And, boy they will!

However, this should never be done near your backdoor or any human traffic area. You will have a bee tornado of activity happening for a few hours.

While the bees will certainly do a good job and this method has the benefit of giving and excess honey back to the hives – it is not without its drawbacks.

There is always the chance that fresh honey coming back to the hives can instigate honey bee robbing.

Foragers are out collecting the honey leftovers – then the extractor is licked clean. Now what – oh “I smell some honey coming from that weak hive over there – let’s get it”…

Another drawback in my opinion, it that the honey that accumulates in the seam between the wall and bottom of the extractor can be a problem.

Bees may drown in it. Yes, you can clean it out some but if so – why not clean the whole thing?

And last but not least, if you are a clumsy as me – you may break your plastic extractor lid as you heft the extractor back inside. Needless to say – I don’t let my bees clean up the extractor any more.

Use a Pressure Washer

If you have a small pressure washer it can be used to remove honey, bits of wax and bee propolis from your machine.

Do take care, using high water force could damage some of the working parts of your machine. And, of course, there is no need to use soap – water is just fine.

Take it to the Car Wash

I have never done this – but there are beekeepers who use the car wash to clean a sticky extractor. They put the extractor in the bed of the pickup and head off to the town car wash. It will work – again no soap – just water.

Honey water flowing from cleaned extractor through honey gate into bucket.

Use Clean Water and Rags

The most common way to clean the honey extractor is to simply use water and clean rags. It takes a bit of time but doesn’t cost anything or require any lifting.

Thank God, honey is water soluble. There are several strategies for using water to clean away honey. You can put some cold – warm water in a small bucket and dribble it down the inside wall of the extractor.

Stubborn honey sitting in the bottom seam will dissolve but you can loosen it with a spatula or similar tool.

Then, fill the extractor with enough cool/warm water to submerge the bottom ring. Start the extractor on low speed and after a few minutes – the honey will be dissolved into the water.

Open the honey gate and let the “dirty” water spill out to be discarded. Yes, you could feed it to the bees but I generally do not as they have better options available in the field – and the danger of robbing.

Now, either wipe down the inside and outside of the extractor with a clean rag – or let it sit inside for a few days to air dry. Once it is dry, cover the machine with a plastic bag or throw a sheet over it and you will be ready for next time.

Step by step clean up of honey extractor with water and rags.

Step by Step Water Method (My Favorite)

This is my process for cleaning my honey extractor. After extracting, I tilt the extractor to allow every bit of good honey to drip into the collection bucket. Sometimes, I leave it that way overnight.

1. After closing the honey gate, add a small amount of clean water to the extractor. This will begin dissolving honey residue.

2. Most extractors will have an accumulation of sticky honey around the inside bottom seam. Use a long handle spatula, bamboo skewer or long arms if you have them to loosen that honey.

3. With a bit of water in a small bucket you can dribble water down the insides of the extractor to wash honey off.

A large cup of water works well too. If the honey has been there several days you may need to use a clean wet rag to encourage the honey to let go.

4. Once the walls are clean, fill the bottom of the extractor with enough water to just cover the plastic rail on the bottom. This is going to help you clean up this hard to reach area.

Electric honey extractor spinning with several inches of clean water.

5. If you have an electric model, start the spinner on slow speed and let it run for a few minutes. This process works for manual models too – you just have to do the work to turn the crank. The bottom rail stirs up the water and helps clean the unit.

Honey water pouring from clean extractor and beekeeper using a rag to polish outside.

6. Open the honey gate on your extractor and watch the dirty honey water pour out. I use my hand to tilt the extractor to get most of the water out. The top and honey gate is left open to allow remaining moisture to dry over the next day or two.

7. A damp rag helps to rub off any honey spray or residue on the outside of your machine. Keeping a dry machine covered reduces the work of cleaning the extractor next time before use.

Expert Tips

  • don’t use soap – if you must – it is important to rinse very, very well
  • do NOT use hot water (not over 120°F) warm tap water is okay. Beeswax bits will become more difficult to remove with very hot water
  • don’t stress over trying to get the machine in like new condition
  • you may do a final rinse of the inside with a weak bleach solution (or vinegar) optional
  • after a basic cleaning, anything that doesn’t come out of the extractor probably won’t
  • if you wish to remove beeswax from surfaces on the extractor take care to do no harm

When to Clean

Some beekeepers will only need to clean their honey extractor once a season. If you harvest a honey crop one time a year – clean up after extraction and you are done.

But, if you have several harvests throughout the year – you may wonder if it is necessary to clean it every time you use it. That is the best plan.

However, I do not clean the extractor after every use – if I plan to use it again within 5-7 days. If it will be idle for a longer period – I prefer to clean it well.

Storing the extractor uncleaned is not a good idea. The honey residue will attract ants and other insects. And, I don’t think it is a good idea to leave acidic honey in the machine all year.

A quick check before using it for the first time and a thorough clean at the end of the season is the minimum.

FAQs

Can I leave honey in the extractor?

Leaving honey in an extractor is not a good idea. Extractors do not seal tightly and honey is hygroscopic. It may absorb water from moist air resulting in spoilage. Ants and other insects will also find the honey.

Can I use soap to clean my honey extractor?

While you can use mild soap to clean your honey extractor, it is not generally recommended. Any soap residue left behind can contaminate future batches of honey.

How often should I clean my honey extractor if I harvest honey multiple times a year?

If you plan to use the extractor again within 5-7 days, a full cleaning may not be necessary. In this case, a quick rinse to remove most of the residues can suffice. Always perform a thorough cleaning if the extractor will be idle for an extended period or at the end of the harvesting season.

Is there a way to prevent honey from sticking to the extractor in the first place?

It is not possible to prevent honey from sticking to the inside of the extractor. But, you can minimize sticking by allowing the extractor to drain thoroughly after each use. Remove any residue that adheres to the sides.

Final Thoughts

Beekeepers have different ideas about the best way to clean a honey extractor. The one best for you depends on your time, strength, available tools and beekeeping philosophy. It is a sticky job. I always end up with sticky places on my arms and sometimes in my hair. No matter which cleaning method you prefer – take care of your extractor and it will give you years of service.

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6 Comments

  1. Steve jolliffe says:

    On your extractor do you put any lubricant on basket shaft in bottom of tank ? I’ve wondered about some Vaseline or just dribbling some honey in it before starting it . Thanks

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      I have only put lube on the bottom shaft once – I had a bearing wear out. I don’t think vaseline would kill you LOL but a bit of food grade lube would be the best option if you can find a small tube. You might ask around at a local restaurant etc.

  2. Robert Anderson says:

    I process honey in a small room in my shop. In there I have a sink, honey extractor and bottling table. Attached to the sink is a small hose for an ice maker. It makes a nice stream and with its length, it can easily reach all areas of the extractor. I use a spatula to push all excess honey through the valve. I then put a 5 gallon bucket under the honey valve and use the hose to gently wash the extractor then dry with towels or clean rags. I can totally clean a 6 frame extractor with less than 5 gallons of water.

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      Thats awesome Robert and it sounds very efficient too!

  3. Cindy Neel says:

    Hi Charlotte
    I use a hand held steamer to clean the extractor. Works great!
    Enjoy your newsletter.
    Thanks,
    Cindy

    1. Charlotte Anderson says:

      That’s interesting. I would likely burn myself but I bet it works nicely.