What do you imagine when you hear the word "honey"? Probably a viscous golden liquid with an incredible aroma. And if you have to choose between liquid or candied, which one will you choose? For the most part, buyers prefer a wet product. In this regard, for each person involved 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 terms of the content of nutrients and practically does not differ in taste from its liquid state. And what is most interesting is that crystallization is a completely natural process and all its types are subject to it.
The crystallization process directly depends on the content of sugar concentrates in the product, namely dextrose, glucose and sucrose. Fructose stays liquid.
Thus, mustard or rapeseed is sugared faster, and chestnut or acacia is much slower.
What is decrystallization?
Process,in which the initial liquid state is given to the hardened honey without loss of useful and taste qualities - this is decrystallization. It is achieved by uniform heating of the required volume to a temperature of 400C, but not more than 500C. Traditionally, a water bath was used for this earlier, or even bottles or cans were heated on a battery. Today, you can achieve the desired result with the help of equipment called a honey decrystallizer.
It is a kind of device that can either be immersed in a mass or act on the composition from the outside, heating the surface. And there is also an option that uses the principle of the microwave oven.
The honey decrystallizer is used not only to melt the crystals, but also to facilitate the packaging of the hardened substance.
All you need to know about disbanding
Every beekeeper should have the basic knowledge to properly store the product, which will preserve its value and allow you to sell sweet amber at a bargain price.
Below 40C the product hardens but does not crystallize.
Active crystallization starts at 140. Changing this temperature, both up and down, somewhat slows down the process, but does not stop it.
Equilibrium state of honey reaches at temperatures from 200 to 390. At this temperature, new crystallization does not occur, but already existing solid crystals do notchange. At room temperature, you can often see the contents of the containers with a white cap of solids.
It is strictly forbidden to heat it to a temperature above 800C, 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 remains liquid for about six months.
Decrystallizer options
The main thing in the dissolution is to avoid spoilage of the product. It is enough to overheat a little, and the contents of the entire container can be poured out. For proper melting, a honey decrystallizer is used. In addition to even heating, it is also equipped with a timer for automatic shutdown.
Main types of equipment:
- Submersible. The tool is lowered directly into the honey mass and gradually lowered deeper as it melts. It can be made in the conical version (the spiral twists in a circle in the form of a funnel) or spiral (the heating element is large enough in area and lowers due to its weight).
- Outer. It consists of several flexible plates that are equipped with heating elements. In the manufacture of most often used synthetic materials. Some models can be equipped with an infrared heating function.
As additional features on expensive models, auto-save heat and goodisolation from the environment.
The dimensions of the device are very different, ranging from the size of a flask, ending with a container volume of 200 liters.
This is the best-selling honey decrystallizer. Reviews of its use report 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. Its use is very effective, provides a good uniform heating of the contents, excludes contact with the external environment. Of the minuses, it is worth noting that it is impossible to heat up a large volume at once.
4. Thermal chamber. It is an apparatus in which several containers can be placed at once, covered with a large thermal cloth. Convenient for large farms or mass production. It has a fairly high price.
How to make DIY honey decrystallizer
All of the above types of equipment 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 don't want to spend your hard-earned money on an expensive device, it is quite possible to use one of the options below and build a decrystallizer for honey frames with your own hands.
1. Underfloor heating
A simple idea to use asheating element part of the infrared floor with thermoregulation.
The construction is carried out as follows: the floor is covered with a piece of heat-insulating material such as isospan or ondutis. A container with a substance is installed on top, which is wrapped with an infrared floor, a temperature sensor is removed (it is usually included in the kit), and the necessary parameters are set. Cover with another layer of insulation on top. Thus, it is possible to build a decrystallizer for dissolving honey in a bucket.
2. Box
A well-knit box or an old refrigerator is taken as a basis. It is preferable to use the box because of the more dense and even walls. A heating element is laid along the perimeter, which is displayed on any thermostat. For example, there are regulators for poultry incubators on sale. This option requires more complex execution than the previous one, but due to the tightly closed and foamed walls, maximum shutdown from the temperature outside the chamber is achieved.
3. Room
If honey production is large, then the easiest method will be to prepare the whole room for a decrystallizer. It should be with a low ceiling, without vents. The walls are upholstered with foam or other insulation. Conventional electric heaters are used as a heat source, and fans are turned on to evenly distribute the temperature. Temperature control in such a facility most often has to be done manually, because it is impossible to remotely turn off the heaters.
This is basic information about decrystallizers, how to use them andmanufacturing methods 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 premises for its installation.
