extractor advice

[beegood]

Hello,
I'm new to this forum and a 1st year beek, I have 2 hives doing very well.
I've been looking at extractors and I'm having trouble making a decision.
The online bee suppliers have a wide assortment as you know. I don't want to spend more than 400.00 on one and it makes sense to get a radial one.

Having never used one ... is it a big deal turning the frames as in the basket style ones and manual cranking or is it pretty much about time savings.

You just can't tell what kind of quality they have from a picture.
I would hate to get some cheaply made unit w/plastic everything.
I saw some that have a separate pan underneath and a strainer between them.
That makes sense to me also, but I sure would like to hear from some of you that have used different types and which is preferred.

any advice what to stay away from?

Thanks,
Paul

[Eaglerock]

Millers has a 4 frame extractor for 245.00 Item M600

http://millerbeesupply.com/

[alpha6]

I would be wary of the plastic gears. Look for a nice used one. E-bay sometimes has them or advertise in the section here on Bee Source.

[alpha6]

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=221307

[Dr.Wax]

... is it a big deal turning the frames as in the basket style ones and manual cranking or is it pretty much about time savings.

I recently asked this part of your question here. You might want to check it out:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220706

[RonS]

BeeGood,

I use a manual 1930s basket style extractor that weighs a ton. It has large metal gears, but works great. I painted it with several coats of food-grade epoxy and sealed it well. With two hives, you will find something like my extractor would work fine. I have three hives. It is not a big deal to spin four frames; then stop, reverse them, and spin again. Yes, a larger radial extractor, maybe even with a motor, would greatly speed up the process, but the cost is exorbitant and both of us are at the small hobbyist level. Actually, I enjoy spending the day extracting. The real pain to me is the uncapping. That takes the most time. I funnel the honey straight from the extractor through a double bucket-top filter, and bottle it directly from the bottling bucket. If you are not planning on a commercial business, this system will work at the lowest price. If you plan on expanding quickly to a side-line business, you might consider foregoing the fun of manual extracting for a motorized radial extractor.

[Jeffzhear]

My advice, buy stainless electric. I would think they are in more of a demand and would be easier to sell if you want out of beekeeping. Also, you'll appreciate electric vs hand-cranking if you get more involved.

[james115]

the nine frame with hand crank can be up graded with a motor kit later
two hives this year, 12 hives next year,, beekeeping fever.........

[Ross]

Short answer, wait. When you have a few years and more hives, then find a good used one. There should be plenty of them up that way. Until then, cut comb or crush and strain.

[Oldbee]

"I don't want to spend more than $400.00 on one and it makes sense to get a radial one".--beegood.


From what I have seen, you would be lucky to find a RADIAL for less than $400.00. Most manufacturers make their radials for more than 3- 4 frames, whatever size and are more expensive than tangential.

Keep in mind the GAUGE of the metal that is advertized in the making of the extractors. The lower number, 24 for example, is slightly thicker and heavier than gauge 26; by fractions of an ounce and millimeters of course.

I have the MannLake --HH-190. [$350.00] It is 26 gauge steel, but I am perfectly happy with it. I like the side-handle crank rather than the handle on the top; that may be a consideration. The one with the seperate pan underneath/strainer, I have never used.

The manual cranking part is 'kind of fun at first' but it gets 'old' pretty fast the more frames/supers you you have to extract. It's GOOD excercise!! With two hives, this shoudn't be a problem.

[indypartridge]

Short answer, wait. When you have a few years and more hives, then find a good used one. There should be plenty of them up that way. Until then, cut comb or crush and strain.

I agree with Ross. Get involved with a local bee club, make friends with beeks who own extractors and borrow theirs. I don't own an extractor, but borrowing a number of different ones has allowed me to see first-hand what features I like and dislike.