Uncapping
Lexikon
Uncapping means removing the thin wax cappings with which the bees seal ripe honey cells.
Uncapping means removing the thin wax cappings with which the bees seal ripe honey cells. Only then can the honey be extracted from the comb. The wax capping is, so to speak, the bees' seal of quality: they close a cell only when the honey has thickened sufficiently and is ripe. After uncapping, the beekeeper is responsible for the further hygienic processing.
There are several tools for uncapping. The uncapping fork is inexpensive and widely used: you slide the tines as flat as possible under the wax cappings and tear them open. The uncapping knife cuts off the cappings in one movement and is especially suitable for thicker combs, but it produces more capping wax. A hot air gun makes the wax layer burst open, but only works reliably on young combs that have never held brood. Larger operations also use electrically heated uncapping machines.
A common beginner's mistake with the fork is to pull it toward the hand holding the comb, which can lead to painful puncture wounds. The fork should also be guided as flat as possible so that not too much honey is torn out of the cells along with the cappings. The cut-off capping wax collects on a strainer tray, while the honey clinging to it drips off and is collected. This capping wax is one of the cleanest waxes and is often melted down for foundation.