Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor Review

Honey has been classified as the only food item that can be kept for as long as possible without getting spoilt. This is a statement backed up with scientific proof. Pure honey will remain for years without losing its value. However, you cannot get pure honey without passing through the due process of extracting it from the honey comb, which can be achieved using any one of a number of equipment.

Like any other food process the world over, the equipment used in extracting honey from the beehive will either make or mar the final product. To get the best honey, there must be a corresponding good equipment to facilitate the delivery of pure undiluted honey that the end consumer so desires. Not all equipment can deliver on this; only few of them can effectively do this. The Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor is one such equipment. Let’s read about it, shall we?

About the Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor

 

The three legged extractor features a large stainless steel drum that can fit shallow, medium and deep frames. This makes it beneficially to any beekeeper with a sizable amount of hives. It is manually driven, so you’ll have to put some work in to turn the crank, but this does help to lower costs. And speaking of cost, this Goplus Honey Extractor is affordable and you can order it online and have it shipped right to your door.

The stainless steel construction of the extractor adds to its durability and makes it easy to clean. There is even a plastic sheeting over the drum to further protect the integrity of the stainless steel. Poor construction is usually the shortcoming of most honey extractors, but the stainless steel build of the Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor will prevent corrosion and ensure its longevity.

The Goplus Honey Extractor comes unassembled but with a manual that’s quite easy to follow. It comes with all the nuts, bolts and tools you need to set it up. Assembly is straightforward – there are 6 bolts to attach the legs, one to attach the crank, and then there’s a drilled hole where the honey gate should be attached.

Features

• Stainless steel build fashioned in such a way that the edges are as smooth as possible to facilitate a 100% clear cut of the honey as well as the chaff that is left behind.
• There are 2 clear lids to keep away unwanted debris from the honey. The combination of these 2 lids is sure enough to ensure that the extracted honey is 100% pure.
• There is a protective plastic film on the stainless steel to protect the steel from corrosion. This will guarantee durability of the equipment as well as ensure that pure undiluted honey extract is gotten out of the extract.
• Can fit shallow, medium and deep frames. It can hold either 8 medium frames, or 4 deep frames.
• It has a labor-saving handle that rotates. It is an efficient task master. The handle is also comfortable to handle.
• The honey tap is functional and does not leak.
• This is a large capacity honey extractor that will meet the needs of most people.
• Main size: 24 inches (H) x 20 inches (D).
• Inside Dimensions: 17 inches (H) x 14 inches (D).
• The extractor has a total height (including the stand) of 32 inches.
• Total weight of 26 lbs.
• Silver in color.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Gives great value for money.
• Easy to clean with soap and hot water.
• Easy to assemble.
• It is durable.
• It has clear lid for monitoring progress.
• Comfortable to operate by hand.
• Rust and corrosion resistant unit.
• It has clear lid for monitoring progress.
• Food safe.
• Efficient. Works seamlessly.

Cons

• There may be some leftover manufacturing oil on the outside of the drum, but this can be easily wiped off with soap and a warm water.

 

Honey Storage in Beekeeping

Honey harvesting and all other post-harvest activities such as storage are to be taken very seriously. Honey harvesting in particular requires precise timing since any delay poses some serious challenges. Late season harvesting means you have to stand up against aggressive bees that are ready to die since nectar sources are scarce and honey stores running out. This is the time when honey robbing is common and bees tend to be more territorial by nature. The honey will also be quite thick and will take forever to flow from the combs. You will therefore be forced to spend plenty of time heating up the honey so as to speed up the extraction process.

The honey harvesting equipment and some storage space are prerequisites for successful harvesting and post-harvest in beekeeping. The empty combs, hive tools, filters, bottling tanks, veils, beekeeping suit, honey bottling tanks, pumps, beehive smoker, bee brush, and many others require some storage space.

Honey Containers

One of the challenges faced by beekeepers during honey harvesting is where to keep empty containers. Fortunately, some planning can help solve this. Empty containers should be ordered when it is near the harvest day. This will ensure you have a rough picture of how many containers might be required during and after harvesting.

Containers such as jars, bottlers, drums, and bottles should be kept near the honey harvesting area a day or so before harvesting. The space should ideally be where they will be stored once the harvesting is completed.

How to Store Honey

Honey storage does not require much. This is ideally one of those food items that can stay in excellent condition for decades or even centuries. In fact, it has been established that nothing that can harm humans can survive in honey. No wonder honey has been in use as a preservative for centuries. It is even used in medicine due to its anti-bacterial properties. It hastens the healing of wounds also.

Preceding honey storage is the uncapping, honey extraction and straining processes. Honeybees cover liquid honey using wax which we refer to as the cappings. This needs to be removed using an uncapping knife. This will make it possible to spin the honey out of the frames.  Extracted honey flows into the honey gate or valve located at the bottom of the honey extractor.

Straining Honey

Straining is essential in honey harvesting and is not the same as filtering. Strainers are not filters even though most people confuse the two. The strainer is made of nylon material and usually fits a 5 gallon bucket. They are reusable and that means all you have to do is washed them after use and store for later use. The strainer helps remove particles and other foreign particles from collected honey.

Filtering is an important process in honey harvesting also. It ideally entails warming the honey before passing it through fine commercial filters. The filters help remove every pollen particle from the honey thus making it impossible to trace the source of the honey. Remember it is quite easy to tell the origin of honey by checking its floral sources. Imported honey in particular is usually subjected to various tests that help identify the sources of the product. This helps identify and stop illegal honey sources.

While storing honey, you should consider the following:

• Moisture – keep honey in tight and moisture proof containers. Any exposure will result in honey drawing moisture to itself. The lid should therefore remain closed when not in use. This will help prevent fermentation or mold formation that usually occurs when honey is exposed to air.
• Temperature – temperature levels have a huge impact on quality of stored honey. The recommended storage area is a cool and dark place. Cool temperatures are ideal but it shortens the time taken for honey to crystallize. Some might think crystallized honey is aged, spoiled, poor quality, or impure. This is far from the truth. Crystallization is a natural process whereby glucose molecules cling together while aligning to form crystals. You can keep honey in freezing temperatures so as to retain its liquid form. Ripe honey never freezes into solid form since it has little moisture.
• Bottling – glass and plastic bottles are widely used for honey storage. These should be cleaned thoroughly and dried before use. They should be free from dust and other particles. You may consider labelling you honey as well after bottling. Record important details such as weight, contacts, nature of the product, e.g. pure honey, etc.
• Equipment storage – this is the final step in honey harvesting. You have to keep the honey harvesting equipment in a safe and easily access place. Equipment such as uncapping tanks, extractors, knives, honey tanks, and others should be cleaned once harvesting is completed. You can use hot water and a high pressure hose to clean the honey harvesting equipment. Keep them in area that does not block your way when not in use. A proper plan and allocation of space can make things a little easier during and after honey harvesting.

Further Thoughts

What else can one say? The features above are a testimony to the fact that the Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor is in a class of its own. It is excellent and capable of delivering pure undiluted honey. This manually operated extractor works in the absence of electric power. The stainless steel construction guarantees a longer service life and its smooth and functional bearings makes spinning easy and hassle free. The longer legs in particular make it possible for the user to fit in a 5 gallon bucket underneath the extractor. It is easy to assemble and lightweight making storage and transportation easy. For the price, it is definitely worth every penny. It will serve well the hobbyist as well as the professional in need for a back-up extractor.

Conclusion

The Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Stainless Steel Manual Honey Extractor has my personal stamp of recommendation, and I highly recommend it to any other beekeeper looking for a good quality honey extractor to purchase. It comes with a simple and easy to follow guide in the instructions manual which is sufficient and self explanatory. The kit can be completely disassembled and its housing is made of stainless steel. Of all the component parts, there is no place for plastic parts; this is so to ensure that this honey extractor is durable. The gear and its housing are made of metal.

Furthermore, it has a strong build and performs its function extremely well. Being able to hold more frames allows you to extract more honey in a shorter amount of time.

Have you ever used the Goplus Large 4/8 Frame Manual Honey Extractor? Leave a comment below and let us know what your experience was like.