Honey extraction
Also known as: extracting honey, extracted honey, spinning honey
Spinning honey out of uncapped combs by centrifugal force in an extractor.
Honey extraction is a way to take honey out of the combs by centrifugal force. Uncapped frames spin in an extractor, and the honey is flung from the cells onto the wall of the drum. The combs usually stay whole. The result is extracted honey under Directive 2001/110/EC.
Extractors range from manual 2-frame models to motorised units that empty more than 12 supers at a time; commercial plants more often use radial machines for 24–72 frames. Honey comes out faster and more completely when warm, but combs soften and may break, so extraction should not exceed 30 °C. The honey is then cleaned: by settling (wax and air bubbles float up, and at 25–30 °C this takes a few days) or by straining through screens or nylon mesh.
Why this matters to you: the less honey is heated, the more of its aroma substances stay: according to FAO, the loss grows with temperature and duration of heating. Plain straining removes wax and debris but leaves the pollen; from 14 June 2026 honey from which pollen has been significantly removed counts as baker’s honey in the EU.
Facts
| Temperature | Extraction not above 30 °C |
|---|---|
| Duration | Settling at 25–30 °C takes a few days |
| House range | Extractors: from manual 2-frame to 24–72-frame machines |
| Legal basis | Directive 2001/110/EC: extracted honey |
How it connects to Honey & beekeeping
Honey extraction → kind of → How honey is made and stored → kind of → 🍯 Honey
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- How honey is made and stored
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Frequently asked questions
How does a honey extractor work?
Uncapped frames spin inside the drum, and centrifugal force flings the honey out of the cells onto the wall. The combs usually stay whole.
Why is honey not extracted above 30 °C?
Warm honey comes out faster and more completely, but the combs soften and may break. So extraction should stay at 30 °C or below.
What is the difference between settling and straining honey?
Settling lets wax and air bubbles float up; at 25–30 °C it takes a few days. Straining passes the honey through screens or nylon mesh.
How big are honey extractors?
From manual 2-frame models to motorised units that empty more than 12 supers at a time. Commercial plants more often use radial machines for 24–72 frames.
Is it true that straining takes the pollen out of honey?
No. Plain straining removes wax and debris but leaves the pollen. From 14 June 2026, honey from which pollen has been significantly removed counts as baker’s honey in the EU.
Similar
Honey ripening · Uncapping · Storing honey · Creaming honey · Honey crystallisation
Sources
- Directive 2001/110/EC relating to honey (consolidated text, EUR-Lex)
- FAO, Value-added products from beekeeping, Chapter 2 Honey (2.6 harvesting and processing)
- Codex Alimentarius, Standard for Honey CODEX STAN 12-1981
- Directive (EU) 2024/1438 amending Directive 2001/110/EC (EUR-Lex)