A honey extractor is one of the most important and expensive pieces of equipment. The right choice depends on the size of your apiary, the frame type and how much time you spend on extraction.
Extractor type
- Tangential — the frame rests against the basket on one side, so you turn it once. Simple and affordable; good for small apiaries.
- Cassette — frames sit in cassettes that are easy to turn; faster and more efficient.
- Radial — frames stand like spokes and both sides are extracted at once. The fastest and highest-capacity option, suited to large apiaries.
How many frames?
The more hives you have, the more a larger extractor saves time. Small apiaries often manage with 2–4 frames, medium ones with 4–6, and large ones with a radial extractor holding more frames. Not sure? Contact us and we will help you choose.
Manual or electric
A manual drive is cheaper and needs no power. An electric drive saves effort and keeps a steady speed, which lowers the risk of damaging the comb. Some models offer both.
Material
Parts in contact with honey should preferably be stainless steel. AISI 304 is widely used in the food industry and is highly corrosion-resistant.
