Can someone recommend a honey extractor? I am shopping for a manual stainless steel honey extractor and I cannot decide which one is good enough without having to spend major bucks. I find them online at prices that range from about $140 with free shipping all the way up to one that is $695 plus shipping. I would like to keep the expense below $350-400. I will be using a horizontal hive with Layens frames that are 13" x 16". Thank you.
There are some really good extractors to build at a very reasonable cost on YouTube. Alternatively, unless you know that you will use it often, try to borrow one from a local bee group.
Caution though, make sure that you thoroughly disinfect an extractor that you borrow. There is a potential for cross infection i.e. introducing a disease into your hive via the frames from the extractor.
Until we were in a position to afford an extractor, we uncapped the comb, sat it in a food safe bucket and let the honey run out. We then used a second bucket and strainer to clean out the wax. Layens frames should fit as standard frame is slightly smaller but the extractor size in bigger than a standard frame size.
It is a bit tedious waiting for the honey to drain but is worth the wait and cheaper. This is the one we eventually bought and serves us well. I have no interest in the company and only share it because it works for us.
Hope all goes well
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