Content
When preparing honey for sale, all beekeepers sooner or later encounter a problem such as crystallization of the finished product. It is important to know how to reheat a candied product without losing the quality of the product. For this, special devices are used - decrystallizers. They can be purchased in specialized stores or made independently.
What is a decrystallizer and what is it for?
A honey decrystallizer is a device that allows you to heat up a crystallized, “sugared” product. All beekeepers face this problem, because some types of honey lose their marketable appearance in just a few weeks. People are very reluctant to buy crystallized goods, but using a decrystallizer, you can return it to its original appearance and viscosity, which will make the product attractive in the eyes of buyers.
The device dissolves crystals well, consisting mainly of glucose. The heating process itself is not a new invention; it has been known to beekeepers for a long time (honey was heated in a steam bath).
In order to melt the glucose crystals, the mass must be heated evenly. This principle underlies the operation of all devices without exception. The required heating temperature can be achieved in several ways. Optimal values are no more than + 40-50 °C. All decrystallizers are equipped with thermostats that turn off the power to the device when the desired temperature is reached.
Types of decrystallizers
Today beekeepers use several types of devices. They differ from each other mainly only in the method of application and form. Either type can be used with equal success, especially if you don't have to process a lot of honey.
Flexible external decrystallizer
In simple words, this is a wide soft tape, inside of which there are heating elements. Wrap the container with tape and plug in the device. This honey decrystallizer is very suitable for a 23 liter container (standard).
Submersible spiral
The device is designed to work with small volumes of product. The principle of operation is extremely simple - the spiral is immersed in the crystallized mass and heated, gradually melting it. To prevent the coil from overheating and burning, it must be completely immersed in honey. It is necessary to make a hole in the honey mass for the spiral, after which it is placed in the recess and the device is plugged in.
Thermal chamber
With this device you can simultaneously heat several containers. The vessels are placed in a row, wrapped with cloth on the sides and top.There are heating elements inside the canvas that heat the product.
Case decrystallizer
It is a collapsible box. Heating elements are attached to its walls on the inside.
Homemade honey decrystallizer
The device is not particularly complicated; you can make it yourself. Factory decrystallizers are expensive; making the device yourself will help novice beekeepers save money.
Which decrystallizer is better?
There is no definite answer to this question - each device is good in its own way in different situations. For example, for processing honey in small volumes, a simple spiral apparatus or a flexible tape designed for one container is suitable. For a large volume of product, it is advisable to use large case-mounted infrared devices or thermal cameras, which have the following advantages:
- The heating element does not come into contact with the product.
- Uniform heating of the entire mass.
- The presence of a thermostat allows you to control the temperature and avoid overheating of the product.
- Simplicity and ease of use.
- Compact sizes.
- Economical energy consumption.
Thus, the choice depends mainly on the volume of processed products.
How to make your own honey decrystallizer
Buying a device of any type is not a problem – everything is on sale today. But buying a good factory decrystallizer will not be cheap. A compelling argument for saving money, this is especially important for a novice beekeeper. Moreover, there is nothing complicated in making a homemade decrystallizer.
Option 1
To make a decrystallizer you will need the following materials:
- ordinary polystyrene foam for insulating floors and walls;
- roll of tape;
- wood screws;
- universal glue.
The assembly process is extremely simple: an oven box of the required dimensions with a removable lid is assembled from sheets of foam plastic using glue and tape. A hole is made in one of the walls of the box for the heating element. As such, it is best to use a thermal ceramic fan heater. With the help of a homemade unit, despite its simple design, you can heat honey efficiently and efficiently. The only drawback of this homemade product is the lack of a thermostat; the temperature of the honey will have to be constantly monitored so as not to overheat the product.
Option 2
This design uses a soft infrared heated floor to heat the honey. You can connect a thermostat to the tape, with which you can control the temperature. To prevent heat from evaporating too quickly, a heat-reflecting material - isospan - is placed on top of the heated floor, with the shiny side up. For enhanced thermal insulation, isospan is also placed under the container and on top of the lid.
Option 3
A good decrystallizer can be made from an old refrigerator. Its body is already equipped with good thermal insulation, usually mineral wool. All that remains is to place a heating element inside the case and connect a thermostat to it; you can use a temperature regulator for a home incubator.
A decrystallizer made on your own will cost much less than a factory-made analogue.Among the disadvantages of homemade products, we can only note the absence of a thermostat, which not everyone can install and configure correctly. Otherwise, the homemade device is cheap, practical and convenient. After all, every beekeeper, during the design and assembly process, immediately adjusts the device to his needs.
Conclusion
A honey decrystallizer is a necessary thing, especially if honey is produced for sale. After all, natural honey, except for a few varieties, begins to crystallize within a month. During this time it is not always possible to sell the entire product. The only way to return it to its normal presentation and viscosity is proper heating and dissolution. In this case, it is desirable that the heating element does not have contact with the honey mass.
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