How do you extract honey from a few frames using crush and strain?

Extract honey without an extractor using the crush and strain method or enjoy comb honey. Simple, natural ways to harvest raw honey at home.
By Victoria Hull. Published September 16, 2025:

Extracting honey without an extractor is pretty common for beekeepers. An extractor is not necessary for extracting honey, it is just a tool that can help speed up the process of processing raw honey.  

One way to extract honey without using an extractor is by cutting the comb and saving the whole thing. Eating the honey with the comb is fairly common. The wax is edible, so there is no health concern with eating the entire thing. 

Another way is the crush and strain method. With this method you will have to remove the honeycomb from the frames and foundation. Placing the honeycomb in some kind of mesh filter (whether a mesh bag, cheese cloth, or metal sieve – all work well!) and have something to catch the honey in (most people use food grade buckets). Whatever your tools, the method will still work the same: crush the honeycomb, letting the honey move through the strainer while keeping the comb separated. 

Once you have crushed all your comb (and squeezed everything one last time just for good measure), your honey is good for bottling.