Beekeeping is an art, and it requires particular tools to do it right. One of many essential pieces of equipment is the honey extractor. A honey extractor is a tool used to extract honey from the comb without destroying the comb. There are various types of honey extractors within the market, and choosing the proper one can be overwhelming, especially if you are a newbie beekeeper. In this article, we will guide you on how to decide on the correct honey extractor in your beekeeping needs.
Manual or Electric Honey Extractor
The first thing you could consider is whether you need a manual or an electric honey extractor. Manual honey extractors are cheaper and more portable than electric ones. They require you to spin the frames by hand, which will be tiring when you have plenty of honeycombs to extract. Electric honey extractors, on the other hand, are more expensive and require electricity to operate. Nevertheless, they’re faster and more environment friendly than manual ones. You probably have a small apiary, a manual honey extractor will be sufficient. But, in case you have a large operation, an electric honey extractor will prevent time and energy.
Dimension
Another crucial factor to consider when choosing a honey extractor is size. The dimensions of the honey extractor you select will rely upon the number of hives you have. In case you have a small operation, a two-frame honey extractor will be sufficient. Nevertheless, you probably have a big operation, you will want a bigger honey extractor. A 4-frame or six-frame honey extractor will be very best for a medium to large operation.
Material
The fabric of the honey extractor can also be an essential factor to consider. Honey extractors are made of either plastic, stainless steel, or aluminum. Plastic honey extractors are the most affordable and lightweight. Nevertheless, they are not as durable as stainless steel or aluminum honey extractors. Stainless metal honey extractors are essentially the most durable and are straightforward to clean. They are also more expensive than plastic honey extractors. Aluminum honey extractors are lightweight, straightforward to clean, and more affordable than stainless steel honey extractors.
Tangential or Radial Extractor
Honey extractors are available in two designs: tangential and radial extractors. Tangential honey extractors have one side of the comb going through outward. They require you to extract one side of the comb after which turn the frame over to extract the opposite side. Radial honey extractors, alternatively, have each sides of the comb going through outward. They help you extract each sides of the comb without turning it over. Tangential honey extractors are more affordable than radial honey extractors. However, radial honey extractors are more efficient and require less effort.
Compatibility with Your Frames
Honey extractors are designed to work with particular types of frames. It is essential to ensure that the honey extractor you choose is appropriate with the frames you use. Most honey extractors are designed to work with Langstroth frames. Nonetheless, for those who use a different type of frame, make certain that the honey extractor you select can accommodate your frames.
Price
The price of honey extractors varies depending on the size, material, and design. Manual honey extractors are more affordable than electric ones. Plastic honey extractors are the most affordable, while stainless metal honey extractors are essentially the most expensive. Tangential honey extractors are more affordable than radial honey extractors. When selecting a honey extractor, it is essential to consider your budget. Nonetheless, it can be essential to remember that quality comes at a price. Investing in a high-quality honey extractor will save you money within the long run.
Conclusion
Selecting the best honey extractor is essential for beekeeping. A honey extractor will make the honey harvesting process simpler and less messy.
For more info on how to separate honey from comb have a look at our page.