EZ Strainer 5 Gallon System | Blythewood Bee Company

Progressive multi-stage honey filtering for serious bottling. The EZ Strainer System uses three nesting strainers in different micron ratings — 200, 400, and 600 — that you can stack for progressive filtering or use individually depending on how clean you want the finish. Choose individual micron ratings, or get the complete set for the most refined honey clarity you can produce at the 5-gallon scale.

Features

• Four purchase options: 200 Micron, 400 Micron, 600 Micron, or All Three (the bundle)
• Each strainer fits the rim of any standard 5-gallon bucket
• Stainless steel mesh frames — washable, reusable, won't rust
• Stack for progressive multi-stage filtering or use individually
• Made by Cary — premium beekeeping equipment

How it works in real life

The three micron sizes work like progressively finer sieves:

• 600 Micron (coarsest) — catches wax cappings, large debris, bee parts. Use as the first stage.
• 400 Micron (medium) — catches smaller wax flakes and medium debris. Use as the middle stage or alone for general filtering.
• 200 Micron (finest) — catches fine particles for retail-grade clarity. Use as the final polish stage or alone if your honey is already lightly filtered.

For best results: nest the 600 inside the 400 inside the 200 on top of your bucket, pour warm honey through, and let it cascade through all three stages in one pour. Or work in batches — one stage at a time if you don't have enough buckets to stack. The All Three bundle is the value buy if you bottle for retail and want every stage available.

Before you order

Choose the variant that matches your needs: individual micron ratings if you only need one stage, or the All Three bundle for the complete progressive system. The 400 Micron is the most popular single-purchase choice — it's the sweet spot between speed and clarity for most small-batch sellers. For retail-quality clarity, the All Three bundle is the right answer. All variants fit standard 5-gallon buckets.

Pairs Well With

• 5 Gallon Food-Grade Honey Bucket with Tear-Tab Lid — strainers nest on top of this bucket
• Double Sieve Honey Strainer — alternative rigid 2-stage strainer
• Orange Honey Gate — for clean bottling after filtering
• 5-Gallon Honey Bucket with Gate — pre-built bottling bucket for filtered honey

Specifications

• Micron options: 200, 400, 600, or All Three (set)
• Material: stainless steel mesh, plastic frame
• Fits: standard 5-gallon bucket rim
• Weight per strainer: 0.15 lbs
• Dimensions per strainer: 11.75 × 11.75 × 3.75 inches
• Cleaning: warm water, hand wash, air dry

Frequently Asked Questions

Which micron should I buy if I only buy one?

The 400 Micron. It's the middle option — filters enough particles for clean, presentable honey without taking as long as the 200. Most beekeepers find it the right balance for hobby and small-batch market sales.

Do I need all three for retail-quality honey?

Not strictly, but the All Three bundle produces the cleanest result. The progressive 600 → 400 → 200 cascade catches a wider range of particle sizes than any single stage. If you sell honey at upscale farmers markets or retail shelves where customers compare clarity side-by-side, the All Three bundle pays for itself.

Can I stack two micron sizes if I only own two?

Yes. Nest the coarser one inside the finer one (600 inside 400, for example). The coarse catches the big stuff first; the fine catches what gets through. Works the same way physically as the full three-stage cascade, just less progressive.

How long does each stage take?

Each stage adds about 5-10 minutes to filtering time for warm honey. The 200 Micron is the slowest because it filters the finest particles; the 600 is the fastest. Cold honey takes much longer at any micron level — always warm before straining.

How does the EZ System compare to the Double Sieve?

The Double Sieve gives you 2-stage filtering in a single rigid frame — fast and simple, with no nesting. The EZ System gives you 3 stages of progressive filtering with more micron control — slower per pour, but more refined. Production bottlers who want maximum clarity choose the EZ; small-batch sellers who want speed and convenience pick the Double Sieve.