:kn:Stupid Question...

[efaure]

Okay, got to ask: what is a the guard for on the smoker? Will it save my life? Is it REALLY needed or can I save a buck or two?

[Cleo C. Hogan Jr]

For me, totally worthless. However some people like it. If your smoker is hot enough to burn you, your smoke would be too hot to be putting on bees.

Of course some people like gloves. So I say, do whatever you want to do.

I have never been burned by my smoker, and if it had a shield, it would not go in my smoker box.

Save the bucks.

cchoganjr

[efaure]

Thanks!

[Charlie B]

There is wisdom in what these "older" fellows like Cleo and Odfrank say but If you're just starting out, I would get the guard. New folks tend to be a little clumsy and it is easy to burn yourself if you don't have much experience.

[indypartridge]

There have been situations where setting the smoker down on dry leaves/grass wasn't a good idea and I've held the smoker between my knees. I did that once using a smoker without a guard, and it was, uh, memorable.

[rwurster]

I like the guard on my smoker, keeps myself and my son from getting burned

[gmcharlie]

Your smoker is hot enough to burn, even with cool smoke, sitting in the back of the truck in the sunshine will get it warm....

Gaurds are a great place to store your hive tool

[beedeetee]

I don't have any smoker with a guard, but I wish I did. I've melted and burnt a few things with them.

[BeeCurious]

Okay, got to ask: what is a the guard for on the smoker? Will it save my life? Is it REALLY needed or can I save a buck or two?

I have a tall smoker with the guard and heat shield that I appreciate.

[Lburou]

Once your knees, hands and whatever else are initiated to the heat of a smoker, you will be mindful of where the smoker is and how you are responsible for its placement and safety (use a flat rock, a bench or some other aid of you need it). You will develop your own process to inspect and service your hive(s) and make your own provision for the heat and safety of the smoker. For me, the guard would be a nice conversation piece, but superfluous.

Make a visit to an experienced beekeeper's apiary and help them for a while, a lot of things will be illuminated, on the spot. It will be time well spent. I bought this smoker in 1980 and haven't started any fires with it.
bees 012.jpg

[Michael Bush]

Most of the people who really love the guard hold the smoker between their knees all the time.