Page 19 - AWA Vol.41-No.6 2025

BEES AND BEEKEEPING

Choosing the Right Extractor for Your Beekeeping Setup

What’s the difference?
Tangential extractors spin one side of the frame at a time.
You’ll need to flip the frame and spin it again to extract the
other side. These models are usually more affordable and
are great for small‑scale hobbyists.
Radial extractors spin both sides of the frame at once.
They’re faster and require less work—perfect if you have
several hives or want to make the most of your time.

Harvesting honey is one of the most rewarding parts of
beekeeping—but without the right extractor, it can quickly
become time‑consuming and messy. Whether you’re new
to the hobby or ready to upgrade your equipment, here’s
what you need to know before buying a honey extractor.

Manual or electric—how do you want to power it?
Manual extractors are cranked by hand. They’re simple,
portable, and don’t require electricity, making them ideal
for small harvests or off‑grid setups.
Electric extractors do the spinning for you. If you’re ex‑
tracting from multiple hives or plan to grow your opera‑
tion, electric is the way to go. They save time and effort,
especially during busy harvests.
Understanding extractor sizing (what does 18/9 mean?)
You’ll often see extractors listed with two numbers—like
18/9. This refers to how many frames it holds depending
on the size:
• 18 shallow or medium frames
• 9 deep frames
What does a honey extractor do?
Make sure the extractor you choose fits the frame size you
A honey extractor uses centrifugal force to spin frames use most often.
and pull honey out of the comb without damaging it. This How many frames do you want to extract at once?
means you can reuse your frames (and wax) while getting
Think about your current hive count and your plans for
your honey out quickly and cleanly. Choosing the right the future. A small extractor (2 or 3 frames) might be fine
type depends on how many hives you have, how often you for now—but if you’re planning to grow, investing in a larg‑
extract, and how much time you want to spend doing it. er model (like an 18/9) can save you money and time later
on.
Will your frames fit?
Not every extractor works with every frame type. Dou‑
ble-check the dimensions of your frames before purchas‑
ing an extractor to make sure they’ll fit properly. Com‑
patibility matters—especially if you’re using deep or
non‑standard frames.
What’s it made of?
Stainless steel extractors are durable, easy to clean, and
built to last. They’re a smart investment if you’re in it for the
long haul.
Plastic extractors are lighter and more affordable—great
for beginners who are still figuring out how much they
want to invest in the hobby. Just keep in mind they may not
hold up to heavy or repeated use.
What’s your long-term plan?
If you’re only working with a couple of hives, a small
manual tangential extractor will do just fine. But if you’re
planning to expand, sell honey, or simply streamline your
workflow, it’s worth investing in an electric radial model
that can keep up with your goals. Circle 24 on enquiry card
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