I like my in frame feeders myself. I use floats...wooden sticks, styrofoam peanuts, etc...to help prevent drowning. I've also seen folks make ladders that go to the bottom, from window screen or wire, to also prevent drowning.
I've never had any even attempt to build comb in the feeders.
I like in frame feeders because I can quickly pop the top, fill it, and get a quick check on the bees at the same time without dealing with a hive top feeder that I might spill. It's easy to clean out at every visit, and my frame feeders are small enough for them to empty quickly before the syrup goes bad. The downside is it takes up space, but if I start feeling like the bees need the space, it's likely I don't really need to be feeding them.
If money were no object though, I'd have an Ultimate Hive Feeder for every hive. I have one. I really do like it. The hive must be fairly level for it to work properly, and they don't fit into nuc boxes, but the number of drowned bees is very small. Downside is it is about $22 a pop!
I've never had any even attempt to build comb in the feeders.
I like in frame feeders because I can quickly pop the top, fill it, and get a quick check on the bees at the same time without dealing with a hive top feeder that I might spill. It's easy to clean out at every visit, and my frame feeders are small enough for them to empty quickly before the syrup goes bad. The downside is it takes up space, but if I start feeling like the bees need the space, it's likely I don't really need to be feeding them.
If money were no object though, I'd have an Ultimate Hive Feeder for every hive. I have one. I really do like it. The hive must be fairly level for it to work properly, and they don't fit into nuc boxes, but the number of drowned bees is very small. Downside is it is about $22 a pop!