Beekeeping is not a fruitful process if you do not extract the honey. Honey is the pay for all the work you have done to maintain the hives. Therefore, you will need the best honey extractor to make the harvesting process easy.
In this article, you will find the 10 best honey extractors available on the market as well as other insights around the extraction topic.
Table of Contents
The best honey extractors
1. Yosooo Bee Honey Extractor
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This honey extractor is designed for practical use. It is made of stainless steel to ensure durability and functionality.
Key Features
- High-quality construction
- 2-frame stainless steel design
- Easy to assemble
- Manual extractor
The extractor comes in handy to harvest honey without destroying honeycombs. It is a 2-frame honey extractor that works well for small hobby beekeepers.
The best thing is that it is super easy to assemble. Additionally, it is easy to clean, thanks to the seamless design.
The quality of this stainless steel honey extractor makes it suitable for regular use. It has cast iron inside the stainless steel drum. It has strong power and is highly efficient in honey harvesting.
This Yosooo bee honey extractor is a great option for a beginner. The simple design makes it easy to use and clean. Although some of the parts are not made of stainless steel, this extractor can stand the test of time.
2. Goodland Bee Supply HE2MOT Extractor
If you are looking for an electric honey spinner that will last long, this one from Goodland Bee Supply is a great option. It is super easy to use and suits hobbyists.
Key Features
- 110 V variable speed
- Durable stainless steel construction
- 2 frames design
- Comes with legs
- Clear Plexiglas lid
The design of this electric honey extractor makes it a suitable choice for an avid beekeeper. It runs on 110 V variable speed to remove honey quickly and effectively. It helps you harvest honey in a short period without worrying about damage to the honeycombs.
It is made of 304 stainless steel material for durability and ease of cleaning. It has two frames measuring 17” tall and 11” wide. These work well for a hobby beekeeper.
One of the things you will love about this spinner is the clear plexiglass top. It allows you to see through and monitor the extraction process. More on the design, this extractor has legs for easy unloading of honey.
Users appreciate the sturdy construction of this model. It is the best electric model as an upgrade from a manual extractor. Although the extractor does not come with a set of assembly instructions, it is pretty straight forward to put together.
3. BestEquip Manual Honey Extractor
This BestEquip Manual extractor comes in a seamless design. It is not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical to use.
Key Features
- Stainless steel construction
- Two-frame design
- Sturdy crank design
- Stainless steel top lids
- Easy assembly
During construction, the stainless steel used to make the spinner is machine rolled and welded for a seamless finish. Additionally, this stainless steel material is a top food-grade quality that resists rust and abrasion.
The 2-frame extractor can handle standard deep, medium, or shallow frames. The gear inside is enclosed to prevent contamination of honey during extraction.
The handle comes with a square screw for easy installation and cranking. It is made from solid metal, which makes it stable for smooth and efficient cranking.
This extractor has stainless top lids that keep the debris out when the honey is draining. It is super easy to assemble and works well for a hobbyist or a small-scale apiarist.
4. VEVORHoney Bee Extractor
This Vevor honey spinner is the perfect choice if you are looking for a small electric honey extractor. It comes with a drum measuring 24” tall and 20” diameter.
Key Features
- 4 frames design
- 2 clear Plexiglas top lids
- Liquefied bucket bottom
- Rounded honeycomb mesh
- 120 w
- Stainless steel construction
This electric honey extractor is ideal for regular use with the quality it features. It comes with two Plexiglas top lids. These allow you to see through and keep track of the process. The clear lids also keep debris away while the honey drains.
The mesh of the honeycomb is slightly rounded to the inner side. It prevents the honeycombs from breaking during extraction.
The electric honey extractor can hold four frames, therefore suitable for a small—scale apiarist or a hobbyist.
The quality is outstanding and has proven to work for beekeepers. It is quiet and easy to use regularly. However, you need to watch out for sharp edges on the legs when using it.
5. VINGLI Upgraded Honey extractor
This model is an upgrade to the regular Vingli extractor. It comes with a handle that has a square screw dent for installation to crank quickly.
Key Features
- Solid metal crank
- Height adjustable legs
- Stainless steel construction
- Large frame holder
- Comes with free accessories
You can make use of this stainless extractor, whether you are a hobbyist or a small-scale commercial beekeeper. It is fitted with a solid crank that turns efficiently and smoothly.
With the height-adjustable legs, you can use different sizes of buckets to sit underneath the extractor. The legs are made from stainless steel for durability.
The quality of construction is unmatched. The extractor is made of top-grade stainless steel that resists rust and abrasion. The barrel has a sleek finish and seamless welding construction for easy cleaning after use.
You will love the capacity it has. The inner basket can hold up to 3 standard shallow, medium, and shallow frames. It is slightly rounded to prevent damage from honeycombs.
The best thing about this spinner model is the free accessories it has. It has a well-crafted honey gate valve for convenient use. Additionally, it has a clear lid that is well-positioned for easy viewing and monitoring. The glass lid keeps dirt and other debris when extracting.
The extractor is a great affordable choice. Although you might need to tip it over to get most of the honey out, it is a suitable option for regular use.
6. VIVO Electric Honey Extractor
The Vivo electric honey extractor comes with a 120v AC motor, which makes extracting easy and quick. It is available in a 4 to 8 frame design.
Key Features
- Stainless steel drum
- 4-frame design
- Clear plastic lid
- Sturdy legs
The 4 frame stainless steel honey extractor is suitable for harvesting a lot of honey at a time. It can accommodate shallow, deep and medium frames. The 8 frame design works well for a commercial beekeeper.
The electric honey extractor is designed for practical use and convenience. The gate opening is strategically placed about ½” above the bottom of the barrel. This design makes it easy to get most of the honey out without having to tip it forward.
It comes with a clear lid that allows you to see through during extraction.
With the simple design, this electric honey extractor works for any beekeeper looking for an electrical upgrade. It gives you value for your money and stands the test of time. However, the extractor might need a little maintenance for efficiency, which is necessary anyway.
7. Super Deal Pro 2 Honey Extractor
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If you are searching for a budget-friendly stainless steel honey extractor, this one from Super Deal is a great starting point. It is a manual design and suits a small hobby beekeeper.
Key Features
- Stainless steel construction
- 2-frame design
- Clutch handle
- Clear plastic lids
If you are a beginner beekeeper, this extractor will come in handy to help you harvest honey in a short time. It is made for solid stainless steel that lasts long with regular use.
It can hold two frames and is built to accommodate shallow, medium, and deep frames. With the heavy-duty crank handle, it is easy to operate. The handle also has a built-in clutch to control the spinning.
The clear lids keep away debris during extraction. They are also useful for monitoring the extraction process.
This 2 frame stainless steel extractor is super easy to use and assemble. You might need to mount it higher to ensure the honey-collecting bucket fits underneath. From the price point of view, it gives you the value for your money.
8. Zeny Pro 2 Manual Honey Extractor
A manual honey extractor comes in handy to complete the job. This model from Zeny is one of the best honey extractors.
Key Features
- Solid stainless steel construction
- 2 frame design
- Adequate height
- Three sturdy legs
- Clear plastic lids
This 2 frame stainless steel extractor can work perfectly for a beginner. It comes in a simple design that is easy to assemble and use. When it comes to quality, this spinner does not disappoint. It is made of stainless steel for durability and easy cleaning.
The 2-frame design accommodates standard deep frames, hence suitable for hobbyists or small-scale beekeepers. The distance from the honey gate to the floor is 12 inches leaving adequate height to place the collecting bucket?
It is an economical option and works efficiently to harvest honey. It is easy to crank, and honey flows smoothly from the drum. It has a clicking sound as it cranks, which is common with manual extractors.
9. Estink Honey Extractor
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Using a honey extractor is time-saving and convenient. This Estink extractor is a suitable model for regular use.
Key Features
- Premium quality construction
- Manual operation
- Solid structure
- 2-frame design
- Cast-iron gear
The quality of this extractor is outstanding. It is made of premium quality stainless steel, which is clean and hygienic for honey harvesting. Additionally, the material resists rust and abrasion, which ensures the durability of the extractor.
The 2 frame stainless steel extractor is manually operated and can accommodate two shallow medium and deep frames. It has a flat bottom that makes it easy for honey collection after extraction. The barrel has a sleek finish that you can easily clean after use.
It is the best honey extractor for beekeepers looking for quality. You might need to take it apart for proper cleaning, but this is not a big concern. It is easy to assemble and does not require any special skills or tools to do this.
10. Goodland Bee Supply Hardin Professional Manual Honey Extractor
The Goodland Hardin Professional honey extractor is designed to last long for honey extraction. This 2 frame stainless steel has a seamless design that makes it easy to clean and use.
Key Features
- Solid stainless steel construction
- Large capacity
- 2 frame design
- Clear Plexiglas top
- Easy assembly
- Optional stand included
It is made of smooth stainless steel. This material resists rust, is easy to clean and lasts a long time. The 2-frame design makes it a suitable choice for hobbyists. It can fit shallow medium and deep frames to meet your needs.
The clear Plexiglas top allows you to view inside as extraction happens. It also keeps particles and other debris away during the extraction process.
You do not have to worry about assembling this design. It comes with detailed instructions for an easy installation process. Additionally, all necessary hardware is included in the package.
The hand crank turns smoothly and spins fast without much effort. However, you might need to remove the cranking system inside for proper cleaning.
Types of Honey Extractors
A honey extractor works by way of centrifugal force. It is a mechanical device that extracts honey without damaging the honeycombs.
Extractors have a cylindrical drum that carries the frame basket. When it spins, it removes honey from the combs while the wax and combs remain intact.
There are two types of honey extractors, namely, radial and tangential extractors. The significant difference between these two types is how the frames are installed in the basket.
Radial Extractors
A radial extractor has the top bar of the frame facing outwards. This type is common with large companies that keep bees for business. Radial extractors work well with upward-facing slopes of bee combs.
The smallest radial extractors have two frames, while the large ones that companies use can hold more than 100 frames.
How to Use a Radial Honey Extractor
A radial honey extractor does not need you to turn the frame during honey extraction. You can follow these steps when using a radial honey extractor.
- Open the beehive frames with honey on both sides. You can use an uncapping knife to make uncapping the honeycomb easy.
- Next, load the uncapped frames into the radial extractor with the top bar facing outwards.
- Ensure the honey gate of the extractor is closed correctly.
- Close the extractor and start it. If you are using a manual one, rotate the cranking mechanism to remove honey from the frames.
- Once all the honey is removed from the comb, open the extractor, and remove the frames.
- Open the honey gate and leave the honey to flow out from the extractor. Note: Leaving the honey to accumulate in the extractor is not encouraged.
- Clean-up and oil any moving parts before storage.
Tangential Extractors
This type is primarily designed for hobbyists. These have one side of the comb facing outwards. The good thing is that they can be used to extract honey from large frames. This makes them a universal extractor choice.
The frames in tangential extractors are positioned tangentially in the drum. This design allows the honey to drain quickly. However, for you to hurl a frame on both sides, you have to lift and turn by hand from the basket.
But, there are tangential extractors that allow you to turn the frame around without taking it out from the basket.
How to use a Tangential Honey Extractor
A tangential honey extractor allows you to remove honey from one side of the frame at a time. You can follow these steps:
- Uncap the frames with honey and load them onto the extractor. You can use an uncapping knife to make this process easier.
- Load all the baskets. During this step, ensure that the frames are balanced. For example, a 6-frame extractor can be loaded with three frames and balanced. Alternatively, you can fill in with frames that you have already extracted to balance.
- Cover the top. You can use clear covers that let you see through to monitor the extraction process.
- Ensure the bottom honey outlet is closed.
- Rotate the crank if it is manual or switch on the power if it is electric.
- Remove the frame
- Drain the honey from the extractor frequently to prevent accumulation that would otherwise affect the rotation of the extractor.
- Once you are done, clean it up and store it appropriately.
Tip: When using a tangential extractor, you can use the 50-100-50 method. This means that you extract 50% of the honey on one side of the honeycomb. Then extract 100% from the other side. Lastly, extract the remaining 50% from the side you started with. This prevents damage to the honeycomb resulting from the weight on one side.
Tangential and radial extractors are either manual or electrical. Let’s discuss the difference between electric and manual extractors.
Electric Honey Extractors
An electric extractor uses electricity to spin the frames attached to the shaft in the middle of the drum. This type is equipped with an electric motor that connects to your electricity supply.
The speed is controlled so as not to damage the combs as the frames spin. An electric extractor works well for large scale commercial beekeeping. They are fast and do not need a lot of energy to run. More to this, they are convenient to use for large-scale honey harvesting.
Advantages of Electric Honey Extractors
- Electric honey extractors can extract large amounts in a short time.
- They are easy to run. You only need to turn on the motor to start the spinning automatically.
- These suit large commercial honey extracting companies.
- They are faster and more energy-efficient.
Manual Honey Extractors
As the name suggests, these extractors are operated using the hands. The design of a manual extractor is not any different from an electric motor. The only thing missing from a manual extractor is the electric motor.
Most manual extractors are designed to hold two to about four frames.
Advantages of Manual Honey Extractors
- A manual design can be used to extract honey where there is no electricity supply.
- Manual extractors are great with delicate combs. This is because the spinning speed is controlled by hand easily.
- Highly-efficient in terms of energy.
- Less expensive compared to electric models.
FAQ
1. How fast does a honey extractor spin?
The speed at which a honey extractor spins at controlled speeds. This is because if the speed is too high, it could cause damage to the honeycombs during extraction.
Electric extractors come with a motor that is connected to the power supply. This runs the extractor at a safe and efficient speed for proper extraction. Manual extractors, on the other hand, have a gearing mechanism that allows them to run at optimal speeds for effective extraction.
2. How to sanitize a honey extractor?
After storing your honey extractor for a while, it is essential to sanitize it before the next use. This will ensure it is clean and free from contaminants. The best way todisinfect a honey extractor is by using hot water.
Hot water is known as a simple and inexpensive sanitizer. It cleans out any dirt and melts away any residue after cleaning.
When sanitizing, it is essential to ensure the bearings do not come into contact with the water. This will prevent rusting that can affect the extractor’s functionality and efficiency.
3. How to clean a honey extractor after use?
A honey extractor is an investment, so keeping it in the best condition should be a top priority. This means cleaning it properly after use to maintain efficiency and functionality.
Additionally, the honey extractor is the last place the honey passes through before bottling for consumption. Therefore it needs to be clean and free from any contaminants.
Here are tips on how to clean your honey extractor:
- Before you start cleaning the honey extractor, make sure the honey gate is closed securely.
- Then, tilt the extractor in such a way the remaining honey flows towards the gate.
- Increase the room temperature and leave it through the night. This will help melt off any honey on the drum walls.
- You will find a substantial amount of honey the next day. You can then open the valve and collect the honey in a bottle.
- You will notice wax and propolis inside the extractor, which you have to cleanout.
- Tilt the extractor in the same way so whatever is collected flows towards the gate. Ensure you close the valve and fill the extractor with cold water.
- The next day empty the extractor and rinse it with cold water. Use a kitchen towel to mop up the dregs.
- When cleaning, keep the extractor bearings away from water, that is if the basket does not cover them. You can use a plastic wrap to cover and protect the bearings against rusting.
- Ensure the extractor is clean and store in a clean, dry area.
4. How much is a honey extractor?
A couple of factors determine the cost of honey extractors. These are the size, the type, and the design. Electric honey extractors are higher in price compared to manual models. This is because they come fitted with a motor that powers the extractor.
The size and the number of frames an extractor can take determine the cost as well. For example, you can find small-scale extractors with two frames for under $200. On the same note, large scale ones will cost a couple of hundreds to a thousand on average.
5. How do you make a honey extractor?
A honey extractor is simply a drum with a shaft in the middle. You can make one at home, especially if you are a hobbyist beekeeper that is looking to save some money.
You can collect some materials at home or buy some online to make a honey extractor at home. However, you should ensure that the materials are of food-grade quality. Additionally, the materials should be resistant to rust and abrasion. This will ensure the honey collected is clean and safe for consumption.
Here is a procedure of making a honey extractor using readily available materials.
You will need:
- Metal paint stirrer
- Wire mesh
- A drill
- Wood molding
- Zip ties
Steps
- Use the wire mesh to create a cylindrical cage. You can bend the wire to make the shape.
- Ensure the cage you create is large enough to hold two honey frames. Leave the upper part open to insert the frames inside.
- Using four zip ties connect the bottom of the cage to the circular metal part of the paint stirrer.
- Cut the wood length to match the diameter of the cage. Drill a hole to allow the shaft of the paint stirrer to go through it.
- Make a hole at the end of the wood on each side to allow zip ties to go through.
- Use zip ties to attach the wood molding to each end of the cage.
- At this point, the extractor is complete and ready for use.
6. How do you extract honey without an extractor?
You do not have to worry about harvesting honey without an extractor. In earlier days, people still used to enjoy honey and had options on how to harvest it.
You can start by crushing and draining the comb to extract pure honey. After breaking the honeycomb into chunks, place all in a clean, convenient container. You can use a 5-gallon bucket made from stainless steel.
With the crush and strain method, you can use a potato masher and later drain the honey. At first, the contents seem a lot but reduce in size as you mash and drain.
When straining, you can use a colander first to sieve the bigger chunks first. You can then proceed to use a fine-mesh sieve for smooth honey.
This method, although effective at extracting honey, does not save the comb for bees to reuse. You will need to clean the frames and install another foundation after extraction.
Conclusion
Harvesting honey is the most rewarding part of the whole beekeeping process. On this note, a honey extractor remains to be an essential tool. It not only saves you time and effort but also prevents honeycombs from damage.
Whether you are a commercial beekeeper or a hobbyist, you need a high-quality, practical extractor. You can choose from the variety of manual and electrical models available on the market. The reviews above can be a great starting point when selecting the best honey extractor for sale.