Hello

[Blunt Spike]

Hello from Loggerheads near Market Drayton. This is my 1st year as a beekeeper. At the moment I have one hive which I took over the care of when its previous keeper couldnt spare the time to look after it. I am hoping to expand to possibly 3 hives next year but can see how quickly the hobby could mushroom into something beyong a hobby. They are such fascinating little creatures and I love to just watch the hive entrance as they come and go about their daily business. Can anyone recommend a honey extractor, are there do and donts to know when buying one?

 

[madasafish]

Lots of manual extractors on ebay. Ignore the old galvanised ones - illegal. Time to buy is winter when no-one is doing any extraction...

 

[Webby]

Welcome and good luck. All depends on budget really. I only have a couple of hives and a cheap two frame extractor from Amazon does me at the moment. Around £100 I think.

 

[Blunt Spike]

Ok thanks to both of you for you quick replies.

 

[Millet]

Hello and welcome, i could post a link or picture of an extractor for you that i have a look at that works fine for me, however i do not know your budget or level of experience with these wonderful little insects.

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have a four frame plastic tangential hand crank from thorne. I use it if I have just one or two supers to extract. It's easy to clean because you can take the cage out. It's useful for spinning unwired frames ( cut comb that didn't work for example) as the screens support the comb and it doesn't shatter. I also have a drill driven eight frame stainless steel radial from Giordan, supplied by Agri Nova. It's a really nice extractor. It has extra tangential screens so that you can spin brood frames, both standard and 14x12 It was the cheapest of its kind when I bought it but I think Abelo do a better value one these days

 

[Kenson]

Welcome Blunt

Yes. They are a bit fascinating

Don't know about extractors, I would suggest "Wife"

 

[Hachi]

As you only have a single hive, join your local assoc they should have one you can borrow.

When you have more hives I would look at Giordan, these are well made and I've yet to hear of anyone have a problem with them. I own one of theirs.

 

[kighill]

When I started I used a hand operated spinner bought in the Th*rnes sale.
I used it once and decided manual is not the way for me.
The best advice I can give is buy one a little bigger than you plan for and buy electric.
The price of electric spinners continues to drop making them a great investment.

My brother however chose to extract his honey harvest through a muslin cloth over the kitchen table.