Extractor Recommendation

[Tucker1]

The other day, my wife commented about our extracting honey last fall.  While we both enjoyed the work, it took a bit of time and she got tired of turning the crank on the extractor. Straining the honey through pantie hose also took a bit of time and before it always over, the garage floor,work bench and both of us were very sticky.

So, ...... she suggested we purchase "one of those motorized" extractors, rather than borrow the hand crank extractor. Being the dutiful husband, I asked her if she as sure this is what she really wanted to do. She reminded me that if we're going to continue to increase our number of hives, it seemed like the best thing to do. I thought to myself........ married life is good.

The question now is:  Which Extractor to purchase ?

I suspect, I'll never have more than 30 - 35 hives at any one point in time. So, a large extractor is out of the question.  Overtime, I'd like to move to using Illinois Boxes and move away for Deeps and Shallow Supers.

Having said all this..... Any suggestions?

Regards,
Tucker1

[riverrat]

you cant beat the dadant 6/12 motorized extractor. well built maintance free and can be picked up used for a bargain in the off season if you keep an eye on ebay

[danno]

Just some food for thought.  Around here a reasonable average is 3 supers per hive.   Some may have only one but others will have 4 or 5.   Thats a average of 30 frames per colony. multiply that be your 35 future colonies and you will have 1050 medium frames to extract.   If you plan on growing fast you would be money ahead not to have to buy one that will get you by now but will be to small in a couple of years.  Something else that I have considered.  I have a 30 frame maxant that will take care of all my 30 colonies but I always find frames from differant nectar sources mixed in.  Frames that are darker or lighter that the rest.  I am keeping my eye out for a used smaller extractor so I can run these separate.  This might be a good reason to buy smaller now but watch out for a bigger one in the future.  Oh by the way I bought my 30 frame used with a bunch of knives, a clarifier and a stainless decapping tank for 400.00.  The deals are out there.

[fish_stix]

I'm with Danno. Get the Dadant 20 frame extractor if you plan on going to 35 hives. 20 deep frames or 36 mediums. With 35 hives it will be a long haul to extract that much honey with the smaller extractors.

[Joelel]

What is the best way to extract honey ? I hear you lose alot of honey with an extractor,is that true ?

[danno]

You do loose all the honey that coats the equipment.  It just ends up getting washed down the drain with hot water.  You can do crush and strain but then you loose your drawn comb every year.  With just a few colonies I would just crush and strain.  You get most of the honey and alot more wax. 

[JP]

http://www.maxantindustries.com/extractors.html

Happy shopping! The six frame is awesome, I have the twenty frame and love it!


...JP

[woodchopper]

You do loose all the honey that coats the equipment.  It just ends up getting washed down the drain with hot water.  You can do crush and strain but then you loose your drawn comb every year.  With just a few colonies I would just crush and strain.  You get most of the honey and alot more wax. 

We don't lose more than a few drops. After we get out of the extractor what we can we put it out in the backyard and let the girls clean it put. You'd be surprised what a great job they do. It all ends back in the hive so it is not wasted.

[jimmy]

I have the Maxant 3100P . Well satified with it and the personal touch Jake the owner gives.

[heaflaw]

another thing to keep in mind is when you put frames in your extractor, it needs to be balanced in weight or it will shake and walk all over the floor.  A 12 frame one is good because most any number in it will make it balanced: 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, or 12.