Sugar syrup 2:1 question

[Bakersdozen]

This is a really basic question...but maybe I am not the only one that has this problem.
When mixing 2:1 sugar syrup sometimes I get a nice batch where all the sugar is dissolved.  Sometimes it doesn't dissolve.  Sometimes I find that the sugar didn't dissolve as well as I would like, and the bucket feed is crusted over with hard syrup. I don't find this out until I go to replace the bucket feeder with another.   I prefer to mix in small batches using 4 or 8 pounds of sugar.  Am I not getting the water hot enough?

[neillsayers]

I have the same issue at times. We've mixed 2:1 for hummingbirds for many years-now for bees. I find that if I stir slowly until the syrup is on the verge of boiling but not quite and continue stirring until it clarifies it is usually a good batch. Too much heat will scorch the syrup which isn't good for bees or hummers.

Hope this was helpful

[Chip Euliss]

I mix 2:1 in a 300 gallon dairy tank with an agitator paddle.  I have the problem you describe if I put the syrup in the feeders before it clears.  I sometime let it spin for 18-24 hours before it gets clear.  Just like honey in that if you leave crystals in the solution, it will solidify fairly quickly.  Just made 2 batches (about 500 gallons) to take to California in early January so want it to be liquid when I hit the Central Valley; I let those 2 batches spin for a little longer than normal.

[LazyBkpr]

I usually mix in a 5 gal bucket the night before I use it. Mostly because it takes a while for it to cool.

   Dont boil the syrup, or it will solidify like crystallized honey.

   I usually put the amount of sugar I want into the bucket, and in a big stailess pot bring the water to near boiling.. that point where it hisses and bubbles are starting, but its not really boiling yet, then I dump that into my 5 gal bucket on top of the sugar, then I use a wine stirrer/degasser like this one;




   In my black and decker battery powered drill to stir until it begins to clear.  Everything dissolves well and I dont have crystalization problems.. or at least, have not yet....   I let the bucket settle and cool overnight.

[riverbee]

bakers, i mix 2:1 right in the pail, whether it be a one gallon or two gallon. i boil water, just so that it is steaming. i pour the sugar in the pail. i dump half of the sugar back out, run hot tap water, stir, add as much sugar back in til it gets hard to stir, then i add the steaming water to dissolve crystals as needed. stir, and add the rest of the sugar to it.  no crystals. sometimes there may be some remaining, but i let sit for a few minutes, and they dissolve.

ps i pour the sugar in the pail, it's how i measure, (i know how much i need) i don't use a measuring cup 

[Jen]

I do the same as Scott. Except I use 1 gallon buckets per hive now. I pour sugar into gallon bucket. I heat the water right below boiling point. Pour water into bucket steadily stirring and speeding up my stirring as it gets melted and then keep stirring for a minute or two until syrup is clear. Let cool a few hours before putting onto hive. I have never had any crystalization.

Oh, and I do the same method with pint or quart jars 

[capt44]

I just use hot tap water and mix the sugar with a paint mixer on my drill.

[LazyBkpr]

   I cant seem to get my hot water HOT enough to work with 2/1..  I end up with quite a bit of it still undissolved...

[riverbee]

okay scott, you can learn from me and jen............

what jen said...........do it pretty much the same way, (but never have to let it cool for a few  hours)............

[Bakersdozen]

Thanks for the responses.  Like with most things, it's the little things that can make a difference.  I made another batch this morning and based upon everyone's responses I had good luck doing the following.
I covered my pot and brought the water almost to a simmer. (No evaporation of water)  I removed the pot from the heat and stirred in 4 pounds sugar.  Once dissolved I stirred the next 4 pounds in.  I stirred and stirred and stirred until all was dissolved.  I let the pot sit all day and when I came home it still looked great.   So, I think some of my problem was letting it set on the heat while I poured in sugar.

This sounds obsessive, but dang!, I'm tired up messing up batches of 2:1.

[Jen]

Now if I could figure out how to keep my smoker going I think I would have the bee thing down. At least until tomorrow 

[Chip Euliss]

Now if I could figure out how to keep my smoker going I think I would have the bee thing down. At least until tomorrow 

I'm lazy--I use a self-igniting propane torch to get my smoker going.  It will make almost anything burn and produce smoke

[Jen]

Chip ~ Oh, I have no trouble getting it lit, good flame, down to nice smoke. It's just keep it lit. But this is really another thread. I'm guilty of going off topic.... 

[Chip Euliss]

Me too Jen but sometimes, I just can't help myself

[Slowmodem]

Thanks for the responses.  Like with most things, it's the little things that can make a difference.  I made another batch this morning and based upon everyone's responses I had good luck doing the following.
I covered my pot and brought the water almost to a simmer. (No evaporation of water)  I removed the pot from the heat and stirred in 4 pounds sugar.  Once dissolved I stirred the next 4 pounds in.  I stirred and stirred and stirred until all was dissolved.  I let the pot sit all day and when I came home it still looked great.   So, I think some of my problem was letting it set on the heat while I poured in sugar.

This sounds obsessive, but dang!, I'm tired up messing up batches of 2:1.

Me and stoves don't get along very well.  I almost burnt the house down once because I turned on the wrong eye which had a roll of paper towels on it.  That's why I put the big pot on the stove, put in the water, and bring it to a boil (or close to it).  Then I turn it off and pour in the sugar.  That way you don't have to worry about it being too hot or scorching.

I just use rough measurements, but I've never seen a bee turn it's nose up at my mixture.  They seem to like it however I mix it.