cleaning extractors

[ablanton]

So, how do all of you wash your extractors?  It's a real pain in the rear.  Maybe I can learn a smarter way from somebody . . .

[Slowmodem]

I take it to the car wash and wrap the motor in a gargage bag.  (I'd recommend avoiding the wax!  )

[pistolpete]

Hot water and dump the water outside.  I tried letting the bees clean is once, but when they were done with the extractor, they started on the nearest hive.

[apisbees]

First do not use very hot water as wax melts at 147 deg. Next honey will readily absorb water so keeping the inside of the extractor wet will desolve the honey.
what method being used should consider what type of bearings or pivots are used. a lot of the extractors come apart to make cleaning easier. and to allow for the re lubing of the bottom pivot.
For me small ones I just take it outside and hose it out the larger a 5 gal bucket under the spout and a 2nd one to splash the water inside from.

[LazyBkpr]

5 gal bucket under the spout, run cool water through a hose nozzle to rinse off most of it. This will usually also take most of the wax stuck in the honey. Sometimes I fill two or three 5 gal buckets, just empty outide as necessary..  Once I have most of it rinced and sprayed I will close the spout and add three inches or so of slightly warmer water, use a wet rag and scrub.  Open spout and drain with another spraying to rinse.   If there is wax smeared anywhere, I spray with COLD water and flake it off.  About an hour process to clean the extractor when extracting is finished.

[riverbee]

mine comes apart.  i take it outside.  lemon ammonia mixed with a little water in a spray bottle. 5 gallon bucket of warm water. joy dish wash soap. hose. interior is sprayed with the ammonia, combined with the warm water, gets all the wax off pronto. wash it up. let it drain out. hit it with the hose, and rinse clean, wipe down, re lube.  same with the basket, although sometimes easier to wash up in large laundry tub.

[brooksbeefarm]

Take outside and purt it on a plastic tarp, 5 gal. bucket of warm soap and water, take basket out and scrub the tub with a rag. Then hit all of  it with a power washer, let dry and reuse or store. Yes it's a pain in the Butt, but has to be done . Jack

[Edward]

Pour hot water in it so it covers the bottom put the lid on and let it stand over night.
The water will dissolve all the honey because the honey will dissolve in the humidity.
A high pressure hose is also an option.
Be Careful with detergents that could contaminate the next honey extraction.

mvh Edward 

[ablanton]

Well, LazyBkpr's method looks almost identical to the way I've been doing it.  I must admit, though . . . Slowmodem's method looks pretty tempting! 

[apisbees]

Also it doing maltible extractings have a precut plastic sheet to keep dust and bees out and cover till the next extraction at the end of the season and then wash it.

[DonMcJr]

I fill it with cold water and slowly crank a bit and drain. Repeat...and repeat til clean...

I NEVER use any chemicals...

[Bamabww]

I have an easy and the lazy man's way to clean my extractor. I lay my 100' water hose out in the sun and fill it with water. A couple of hours later, carry my extractor outside, close the drain, and spray it down. Open the drain and keep spraying until it is clean. This way I can spray the frame holders and tank at the same time without any need to disassemble it, which is a PITA. I usually take a towel and wipe it dry. Been working for 4 years this way. I set it a 50 gallon heavy duty garbage bag and pull the bag up as far as it will go around the extractor, which is almost all the way to the top. Drop the cardboard box it came it back over it and store it my shed.

[blueblood]

I spray mine out with the hose, spray with 1/10 bleach spray, rinse, dry.

[Riverrat]

I let the bees clean it out, then wash with warm soapy water. When letting bees clean it out, make sure no hives are close to the extractor.

[Perry]

Rinse out with cold water. Wash the inside with warm soapy water, flush and rinse, rinse, rinse. I would use a small pressure washer if I was able (and had one).
Hmmmm, sounds like a good Christmas present. 

[Papakeith]

I just use water from a hose and my hand to wipe it down until I can't feel a film anymore.  Since the bees aren't interested in it I guess I got all of the honey out.