I have 2 1/2 gal. jars of completely crystallized honey that I would really like to use. I have tried putting the jars in a pan of hot water, but it did NOTHING. What do I do? And will the honey stay liquefied for a while afterwards?

-- Becky M. (beckymom@kjsl.com), March 06, 2000

Answers

If you can get it into the microwave, it works like a champ.

-- Rich (pntbeldyk@wirefire.com), March 06, 2000.

Becky, try putting a jar of the crystallized honey on top of your gas or electric cookstove when you are baking. I usually just leave the honey there for several days, and in the course of daily cooking, the honey liquifies. This takes several days, depending on how much the oven is on. It will start at the bottom of course, and slowly dissolve. If we are in a hurry, we just use what is liquid and put the jar back on the stove. Once returned to liquid, it will stay that way for several weeks as long as ALL the crystals are dissolved. If not, crystals will start to reform from the old ones.

-- A.C. Green (ratdogs10@yahoo.com), March 06, 2000.

I have put mine in the dehydrator on the highest setting, about 145o or so and it works very well. I had a commercial beekeeper friend who bought a dehydrator for the express purpose of keeping honey liquid.

-- Marilyn (rainbow@ktis.net), March 06, 2000.

If you have a tall crock pot, fill it about 1/3 full of water and turn on high. It takes all day sometimes depending on how hard the honey is but eventually will go liquid. Put the lid on the crock pot. Peggy

-- Peggy (wclpc@cookeville.com), March 06, 2000.

In a large stockpot with water, simmer on the stove, like a double boiler, or put in the ovev if you have a pilot light.

-- Hendo (OR) (redgate@echoweb.net), March 08, 2000.

You might try digging some out of the big jars and micro-waving a little at a time.(Try using a hot spoon) The crystalization won't spoil the honey but heating it too many times or at too high a heat will change the flavor. Just heat until all the crystals have dissolved but no longer, and only as much as you will use in a couple of weeks. (if possible)

-- Peg (jnjohnsn@pressenter.com), March 08, 2000.

I've used the microwave and the boiling water methods, and both work for me. I will say that either will produce liquid honey that is much more susceptible to re-solidifying than fresh honey. However, for REALLY solid honey, I mean you can't even spoon it out, my best solution is to put the jar of solidified honey in a double boiler with the water level as high in the top pot as you can get - the ideal being as high as the honey in the jar. Moderately low heat and patience (hours!) seem to work for me. Good Luck!

Brad

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), March 08, 2000.