FAQ
Dear beekeepers,
On this page, we have answered frequently asked questions regarding our CFM-Honey extractors and CFM-Honey creamers. Of course, we are also there for you after the purchase of your CFM devices and are always available to advise you regarding accessories and spare parts! If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call us: +49 (0) 9776 / 8115-0.
CFM-Honey extractors
All Carl Fritz Mellrichstadt (CFM) honey spinners are quality products made of stainless steel. Except for the drives, these are produced exclusively in our own production facility in Mellrichstadt. Our raw materials are only sourced from European quality manufacturers. Our programmable extractors made by SIEMENS already have various programms for the different types of extractors pre-installed. These programms are already tested and suitable for your daily work with the extractor. A powerful frequency converter controls the extractor drive safely and reliable and complies with the latest standards. The connections are designed with heavy industrial connectors with protection class IP67. In addition, all our frequency converter operated honey extractors carry the CE marking! We manufacture different basic types and are able to adapt the extractors to the individual needs of our customers thanks to the wide range of design options available for the honeycomb cages.
Types of extractors
High quality products are the requirement for a successful and efficient honey harvesting. We therefore offer different types of honey extractors, so that you surely find the suitable type for your conditions (number of colonies, frame size/s). Following we have presented the three basic types visually and summarized the differences in a short description.
Tangential extractor
Suitable for small apiaries with up to 15 bee colonies. Can be used for harvesting all types of honey. Frames are positioned tangential to the tank and have to be turned manually. Support of the honeycomb by solid perforated sheet cage. The frames can be turned inside the cage.
Radial extractor
Top drive suitable for apiaries with up to 50 bee colonies or for more than 50 bee colonies with bottom drive. Particularly suitable for harvesting low-viscosity honey types. Frames are positioned towards the central axis and remain in the same position throughout the entire spinning process. Grids can be used for changing it to tangential extraction.
Self-turning extractor
Top drive suitable for apiaries with up to 50 bee colonies or for more than 50 bee colonies with bottom drive. Can be used for harvesting all types of honey. The frames are placed in the honeycomb pockets. These are made of perforated sheet metal to provide optimal support for the honeycombs. Depending on the direction of rotation of the cage, the honeycomb pockets are swinging outwards. Honeycomb pockets with openings for the honeycomb lugs.
Order a spare acrylic glass lid half
If the acrylic glass lid of your honey extractor is broken, you can order a replacement half of the lid using our order form. We ask you for precise information about your honey extractor, because the holes and dimensions must fit exactly.
Emergency Stop Button
All extractors with control unit have an emergency stop button. This is to stop the extraction process as quickly as possible for example when the extractor is imbalanced.
Honey valve / Disc valve
All of the valves are made of stainless steel 1.4301. They are mounted at the lowest point at bottom level. The honey drains off completely.
Tanks / Extractor tanks
Made of stainless steel 1.4301. Material thickness of the tank wall 0.8 - 1.5 mm, of the bottom 0.8 - 2.0 mm
(depending on the type of tank).
Tank wall welded to the bottom without gap with Argon TIG. The tank bottoms are all with a slope to the outlet so the tanks can easily be emptied.
Bottom heating
If you wish we can install a bottom heating at all our tanks, extractors and creamers.
CFM-Honey Creamers
Creamy honey as if by magic. Every beekeeper dreams of fine, creamy honey. With our CFM Honey creamers, this dream can come true! The paddle screw ensure a fast and even mixing and it is possible to mix smaller quantities without air intake as long as at least 1/3 of the tank is filled. The CFM Honey creamers size 100 kg and bigger have a mixing rake at the bottom of the paddle screw. The rake has the shape of the conical bottom and gets all the honey at the bottom of the tank and the paddle screw above it mixes the honey vertically.
When to use a double walled creamer
Double-walled CFM-Honey creamer are mainly used for mixing different types of polyfloral honey. To obtain a uniform colour and consistency, first mix the different types together at an even temperature of 25 - 30 °C. The double-walled creamer is filled with filtered rain water or optionally with heat transfer medium. The creamer should run three times for 30 - 40 minutes. In between, the honey needs to rest for several hours before the heating is switched off. The honey now has a uniform structure and colour. With the help of the timer you now run the creamer 4 times a day for about 15-20 minutes. Once you get the right consistency, switch on the heating and set it to about 40°C and let the creamer run for about an hour without interruption. Now you can bottle the honey.
Automatic stirring intervals
With the timer you can programme the stirring intervals to ensure an even, recurrent mixing of the honey. This alters the consistency of the honey and you get a melt-in-the-mouth creamy honey.
Efficient bottling thanks to the bottom heating
The bottom heating offers a big advantage when bottling with the honey tap. It saves time. As soon as the honey has reached the right consistency, set the thermostat of the bottom heating to 40°C and let the creamer run for about 1 hour without interruption. The honey is gently heated by a few degrees and then flows a lot quicker into the honey jar.
Signs of quality of the CFM-Honey Creamers
Lid: Made of chrystal clear acrylic glass reinforced by a stainless steel or aluminium strip
Tank: Stainless steel 1.4301, Material thickness of the tank wall 0.8 - 1.5 mm, of the bottom 1.0 - 2.0 mm (Standard size)
Tap: The 50 kg creamer has a honey tap and every creamer of 100 kg or bigger has a hygienic disc valve. All of them made of stainless steel.
Packaging: Creamers are shipped on a solid wooden pallet.