Honey Extractor: Finding the Best Equipment for Efficient Honey Harvesting

The reward for keeping bees in your backyard or garden is honey and to extract honey from the hive, you need a reliable honey extractor. Honey extractors are of different types and choosing one can be overwhelming to a new beekeeper.

While you might decide that the more expensive Flowhive (which does not need an extractor) is a better option, we can help de-mistify the choices of honey extractors for you. Its not as hard as you think and after the first sticky attempt, you will be extracting like a professional in no time.

In this guide, we tell you about the features to consider when buying a honey extractor and also cover the pros and cons of different types of extractors.

What is a Honey Extractor?

A honey extractor is a mechanical equipment that uses centrifugal force to extract honey from the honeycombs. It consists of a drum with a spinning frame basket that flings honey out from uncapped combs inside the hive.

The first honey extractor was invented around 1865 by an Austrian-Italian beekeeper named Franz De Hruschka. He described his crushing-the-comb technique in magazines like Beekeeping News. Later, De Hruschka modified and improved his basic device by adding the centrifugation technique. Bollinger Manufacturing built the first model of extractor based on De Hruschka’s design.

Types of Honey Extractors

Honey extractors are basically of two types: Tangential honey extractors and radial honey extractors. While there is also a third that crushes the comb, we are extracting to be able to use the comb again, and hence we don’t recommend this type.

In tangential honey extractors, the combs are arranged to face the cage whereas, in radial extractors, the combs are arranged radially like the spokes of a wheel. Radial extractors extract honey from both sides of the comb. Tangential extractors are gentler but you need to manually remove and flip the combs to extract honey from the other side.

Both devices extract honey without crushing the comb and by using centrifugal force. A motorized honey extractor is powered by a motor that rotates the wire gauze cage. The rotation needs to be gentle in the beginning and increase slightly to extract honey efficiently from the combs.

Both honey extractors basically consist of stainless steel tubs with rotating cage-like structures inside. You add your uncapped, honey-filled frames inside the cage and rotate it. The centrifugal force throws the honey out into the tub. The collected honey runs down a valve into a drain which you can open or close as needed to collect the honey.

Crush Type Honey Extractors

You can also use a crush style of honey extractor as per below, but the main aim of extracting is to remove the honey from the comb and then return the comb to the hive for re-filling. In this view, the crush version destroys the comb and so does not align with our goals here. For completeness, see below the crush honey extractor and pricing, but honestly, we wouldn’t recommend it. If you do get this type, then you will need to know how to re-install the bees wax in the frames or to go with a foundation less bee hive frame.

Crush Style Extractor Pricing

Tangential Honey Extractors

An advantage of tangential honey extractors is that they are smaller and easier to store. They are a great choice for beekeepers with just one or two supers to extract honey from. They are also cheaper than radial extractors. A major drawback of tangential honey extractors is that you spend time and effort flipping the frames. This can be especially tedious if you have several honey supers.

Radial Honey Extractors

Radial extractors are super efficient, time-saving, and ideal for beekeepers with multiple supers or large-scale/commercial operations. You also save energy as you don’t have to spin the same frame twice. There is also a lesser risk of damage to the wax foundation.

The two main drawbacks of radial honey extractors are their size and price. Compared to tangential extractors, they occupy a lot of space and also cost a lot more.

Manual vs Electric Honey Extractors

If you have a large Langstroth hive with over 10 frames, a honey extractor can help you save time and effort. You must always select your extractor based on the type of hive you have.

For beekeepers with one or two hives, smaller extractors that are manual or electrically powered are a great choice.

Manual extractors come with hand cranks and you rotate the cage of the device manually. The hand crank engages gears that turn the cage in the tub. These small devices can hold between 2 and 9 frames. However, the higher the number of frames you add, the greater the effort you need to put into turning the crank. Here is an example of a Manual Honey Extractor:

Manual Honey Extractor Pricing Here:

Electric extractors, as the name indicates, are powered electrically. They also have a speed control mechanism that lets you spin the cage at lower and higher speeds as needed. Electric extractors are not only used in large-scale operations; more and more hobbyists are also using these devices. For a relatively modest increase in price, an electric extractor can save you plenty of effort and ensure you are getting every drop of honey from your frame. This is the type of extractor we use on our property as the time saving and efficiency far outweigh the cost.

Electric Honey Extractor Pricing Here:

Pros and Cons of Manual Honey Extractors

The main advantage of manual extractors is that you can use them even without electricity. They are also smaller and easier to store than electric units and also less expensive. On the downside, manual extractors require a lot of manual effort and more often than not, you stop when you get tired rather than extracting all of the honey in the frame. You also need to limit the number of frames you can work in them.

Pros and Cons of Electric Honey Extractors

Electric honey extractors are larger and more expensive than manual units. They also need an electric source for powering them. There is also a lot of care and clean-up required to keep these units working efficiently.

The major advantage of electric extractors is that you need less physical energy to operate them. They extract a large amount of honey in a small amount of time and are well-suited for large-scale or commercial operations.

Some More Considerations When Investing in a Honey Extractor

Now that you know about the features of the best honey extractor, you can begin researching the different types available in the market. In addition to the types described above, you may also want to consider some other features of honey extractors, including:

• Material – look for stainless-steel extractors having metallic drive mechanisms. Avoid extractors with gear mechanisms made from galvanized metals.
• Easy to use, clean, and store – if you have a small-scale operation, it may be best to go for smaller extractors that are easy to use, clean, and store. If you opt for manual extractors, ensure they are of a suitable height that allows you to crank the shaft without straining your back.

If you really want the best and have several hives to extract from, then you should consider a multi-frame extractor such as this one from Dazuli. This is a professional sized honey extractor, but really cuts down on your time spent getting the honey out.

Multi-Frame Honey Extractor Pricing

Honey Extracting Tools

Aside from the extractor itself, you really don’t need anything else with the exception of a de-capping knife. Before you can extract the golden nectar, you will need to un-cap the wax from the frame to allow it to pour out while spinning. This is achieved with what is basically an electric hot knife and several options can be seen below. You can achieve a similar result by using a sharp knife and a swaing motion, but in our experience, it is much more messy and doesnt not allow for as much extraction of the honey as some cells are missed.

The Best Honey Extractor For You

The best honey extractor machine is the one that fits your beekeeping operation and your budget. If you have several, larger hives with numerous supers, you could buy or rent a motorized honey extractor. It is always a good idea to talk to fellow beekeepers to get their opinions on the best honey extractors.

We hope this guide helps you make an informed decision regarding the best equipment for harvesting honey. Happy extracting!

Honey Extractor FAQ’s

What is a honey extractor, and how does it work?

A honey extractor is a device that uses centrifugal force to remove honey from uncapped combs. It spins the frames inside a drum, flinging honey out to collect it in a tub.

What are the main types of honey extractors?

The two main types are tangential extractors, where combs face outward, and radial extractors, where combs are arranged radially like wheel spokes.

Which type of honey extractor is better for beginners?

Beginners with smaller operations might prefer tangential extractors as they are compact, affordable, and easier to use with limited frames.

What are the advantages of radial honey extractors?

Radial extractors are efficient, saving time and energy by extracting both sides of the comb simultaneously. They are ideal for larger operations.

Should I choose a manual or electric honey extractor?

For hobbyists or small-scale beekeepers, manual extractors are affordable and compact. Electric extractors are better for larger-scale operations due to their efficiency.

What are the drawbacks of manual honey extractors?

Manual extractors require physical effort and can be tiring. They also limit the number of frames you can process at a time.

Are electric honey extractors worth the investment?

Yes, if you manage multiple hives. They save time, require less effort, and maximize honey extraction efficiency, making them ideal for frequent use.

How can I ensure my honey extractor lasts longer?

Choose stainless-steel extractors with durable gears. Clean them thoroughly after each use and store them properly to avoid rust or damage.

Can I use a crush extractor for honey harvesting?

While crush extractors are an option, they destroy the comb, making them unsuitable for sustainable beekeeping practices focused on reusing combs.

What features should I consider when buying a honey extractor?

Key factors include material (stainless steel is ideal), size, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with your beekeeping scale and budget.