Have honey that needs extracting?

Motorized extractor – $10 / hour + minimum of 1 pound of honey

Hand-operated extractor – No money, just a 1 pound jar of honey

Here's how it works...

1. Sign up for an extraction timeslot via the Guild’s “info” email address. When you email us, specify at least 2 one-hour time slots that would work for you and let us know which extractor you'd like to use and we'll let you know what is available. Time slots will be given away on a first-emailed, first-served basis.


2. Arrive 15 – 30 minutes ahead of your scheduled time, in order to uncap your honey for extraction.  The facilitator will teach you how to uncap your honey if you need guidance.  FOR UNCAPPING BRING: Serrated breadknife with a blade of 7 inches or longer, a cookie tray, a strainer or colander and a container into which the strainer fits. You will also need to bring some kind of container(s) for your honey. You can bring a bunch of small jars or larger containers.


3. Enter your name and all requested information in the Extractor log book (only the motorized extractor has a logbook).


4. Check the extractor for damage or missing parts; report any discrepancies to the facilitator.  After resolving any issues, go ahead and extract your honey as described in the instruction manual (only the motorized extractor has an instruction manual).


5. Drain extracted honey through strainer(s) into the collection bucket, provided by the Guild.  This bucket has a “gate” (like a spigot or tap) at the bottom for dispensing the honey into smaller containers.


6. If another person is extracting after you, ask them if they want you to fully clean the extractor before they begin.  Most people will not mind if there is a small amount of your leftover honey in the extractor.  However, each person is entitled to begin with a clean extractor if they prefer it.


7. If you are the last person to extract, thoroughly clean the extractor and its parts with warm water. Do not use hot water as this can melt any wax that is present and make for a much more difficult clean-up. Rinse until all honey residue is gone and allow the extractor and its parts to dry.  The facilitator will properly store the extractor after it has dried.


8. Clearly label a 1-pound jar with your name, the zip code of your hives, the year and the season in which your bees made the honey. This is the jar to be donated to the Guild.


9. Dispense the remainder of your honey from the bucket into your personal containers.  If another person will use the bucket after you, ask them if they want you to fully clean the bucket before they use it. Most people will not mind if there is a small amount of your leftover honey in the bucket.  However, each person is entitled to begin with a clean bucket if they prefer it.


10. If you are the last person to use the bucket, thoroughly clean and rinse it with warm water until all honey residue is gone.  The facilitator will properly store the bucket after it has dried.


11. Last but not least, enjoy that delicious honey and share some with friends and family!

1. A central location that is easily accessible to residents from all areas of the city (we have members from the Northwest to the Northeast, from West Philly to Center City to South Philly and everywhere in between!)


2. A location where parking is easy


3. A location that can comfortably fit 50 people


4. A location that does not charge for the use of the space


5. A location that is available on the 3rd Thursday of the month from 7-9:00 pm


6. A location where we can keep a few hives!