For bottling honey, a temperature of 49°C (120°F) for 24 hours is recommended. However, other sources suggest keeping the temperature between 35-40°C (95-104°F) to preserve its quality and beneficial enzymes, and heating it to around 37°C (99°F) for about 16 hours to make it fluid enough to strain. It's crucial to avoid overheating honey above 40°C (104°F), as it can degrade its quality and kill beneficial enzymes.

Key Points Explained:

1. Recommended Bottling Temperature:
   • One source specifically recommends a temperature of 49°C (120°F) for 24 hours when bottling honey.
2. Optimal Heating Range:
   • The ideal temperature range for heating honey to make it easier to handle is between 35-40°C (95-104°F). This range helps maintain the honey's quality.
3. Heating Duration:
   • To make honey fluid enough for straining, heating it to around 37°C (99°F) for approximately 16 hours is suggested.
4. Temperature Considerations for Honey Quality:
   • Avoid heating honey above 40°C (104°F). Exceeding this temperature can degrade the honey, making it tacky, harder to digest, and can destroy beneficial enzymes.
5. Reversing Crystallization:
   • To reverse crystallization without damaging the honey, keep the temperature around 95°F (35°C), which is the temperature bees maintain in their hives to keep the honey liquefied.
6. Extraction Temperature:
   • The ideal temperature for extracting honey is at least 80°F (26.7°C).
7. Food-Grade Buckets:
   • When selecting a honey bucket for bottling, ensure it is made of food-grade plastic, specifically HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene). This prevents harmful chemicals from leaching into the honey. The bucket should also have a lid and be compatible with a honey gate for easy bottling.

Summary Table:

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