What do you imagine when you hear the word "honey"? Surely a viscous golden liquid with an incredible aroma. And if you have to choose between liquid or sugar, which one will you choose? Most buyers prefer a wet product. In this regard, for every person engaged in beekeeping, a honey decrystallizer is a help in solving the problem of getting rid of sugaring.
Why does honey crystallize?
Surprisingly, despite the prevailing stereotype, candied honey is absolutely identical in content of nutrients and practically does not differ in taste from its liquid state. And what is most interesting - crystallization is a completely natural process and all its species are subject to it.
The crystallization process directly depends on the content of sugar concentrates in the product, specifically dextrose, glucose and sucrose. Fructose remains liquid.
Thus, mustard or rape is sugared faster, and chestnut or acacia is much slower.
What is decrystallization?
The process in which hardened honey is given its original liquid state without loss of useful and palatability is decrystallization. It is achieved by uniform heating of the required volume to a temperature of 40
0 C, but not more than 50
0 C. Traditionally, previously a water bath was used for this or bottles or banks on the battery were heated at all. Today, the desired result can be achieved using equipment called a honey decrystallizer.
It is a kind of device that can either be immersed in the mass, or act on the composition from the outside, heating the surface. And also there is an option that uses the principle of operation of the microwave oven.
The honey decrystallizer is used not only for melting crystals, but also to facilitate the packing of hardened substances.
All you need to know about dissolution
Each beekeeper should have basic knowledge for the proper storage of the product, which will preserve its value and allow the sale of sweet amber at a bargain price.
At temperatures below 4 0 C the product hardens, but does not crystallize.
Active crystallization begins at a temperature of 14 0 . Changing this temperature, both up and down, somewhat slows down the process, but does not stop it.
At equilibrium, honey reaches an equilibrium state from 20 0 to 39 0 . At this temperature, a new crystallization does not occur, but already existing solid crystals do not change in any way. At room temperature, you can often see the contents of containers with a white cap of solid.
It is strictly forbidden to heat it to temperatures above 80 0 C, because, in addition to the destruction of all useful substances, a dangerous carcinogen is formed when honey melts.
Decrystallizer for dissolving honey can be used repeatedly. After the procedure, the product retains its liquid state for about six months.
Decrystallizer Options
The main thing in dissolution is to avoid spoiling the product. It is enough to overheat a little, and the contents of the entire container can be poured. For proper melting, a honey decrystallizer is used. In addition to uniform heating, it is also equipped with a timer for automatic shutdown.
The main types of equipment:
- Submersible. The tool is lowered directly into the honey mass and gradually lowered into the depths as it melts. It can be executed in the version conical (the spiral is twisted in a circle in the form of a funnel) or spiral (the heating element is quite large in area and lowers due to its weight).
- Outer. Represents several flexible plates which are equipped with heating elements. In the manufacture of synthetic materials are most often used. A number of models can be equipped with an infrared heating function.
As additional functions, expensive models also have auto heat storage and good insulation from the environment.
The dimensions of the device are very different, ranging from the size of the flask, ending with a container volume of 200 liters.
This is the best-selling honey decrystallizer. Reviews about its use report on the simplicity and versatility of the equipment. In addition, this is the most budget option.
3. Case or cassette. This product looks like a metal box with heating elements on the walls. Using it is very effective, provides a good uniform heating of the contents, eliminates contact with the external environment. Of the minuses, it is worth noting that it is impossible to immediately heat up a large amount.
4. Heat chamber. It is an apparatus in which several containers can be placed at once, covered with a large thermal sheet. Convenient for large farms or mass production. It has a fairly high price.
How to make a honey decrystallizer with your own hands
All of the above types of equipment regularly perform their function of melting solid honey, but have one common drawback - you have to pay a rather high price for the purchase, although it performs an elementary action.
If you do not want to spend hard-earned money on an expensive device, it is quite possible to use one of the options below and build a decrystallizer for frames with honey yourself.
1. Warm floor
A simple idea is to use a part of the infrared floor with thermoregulation as a heating element.
The design is as follows: the floor is covered with a piece of insulation material such as isospan or ondutis. A container with a substance is installed on top, which is wrapped in an infrared floor, a temperature sensor is output (it usually comes with the kit), and the necessary parameters are set. On top they cover with another layer of insulation. Thus, you can build a decrystallizer to dissolve honey in a bucket.
2. Box
The basis is a well-knit drawer or an old refrigerator. The box is preferable to use due to the more dense and even walls. A heating element is laid around the perimeter, which is displayed on any thermostat. For example, regulators for bird incubators are on sale. This option requires a more complex execution than the previous one, but due to the tightly closed and foam-lined walls, maximum disconnection from the temperature outside the chamber is achieved.
3. Room
If honey production is large, then the easiest method will be to prepare a whole room for the decrystallizer. It should be with a low ceiling, without perfumes. Walls are covered with polystyrene or other insulation. Conventional electric heaters are used as a heat source, fans are included to evenly distribute the temperature. Temperature control in such a building is most often done manually, because it is impossible to remotely turn off the heaters.
This is basic information about decrystallizers, how to use them, and how to make them at home. In this case, the type of device should always be selected based on the type of product, production volumes and the availability of space for its installation.