Honey extractors australia

Types of honey extractors Australia

An honey extractor is a most important equipment for beekeepers. It allows them to harvest honey from combs without damaging them, allowing bees to rebuild the harvested combs. Honey extractors are usually made in several models, including tangential, radial and vertical extractors.

• Tangential honey extractor:

  The first type is tangential extractor, which is designed to extract honey from combs by spinning them in one direction. This kind of extractor spins frames around the axis of the drum in multiple directions. Beekeepers often load frames into the extractor, then spin it in one direction to extract honey from the exposed side of the combs. After that, the beekeeper can change the direction of the extractor to extract honey from the other sides of the combs. The tangential extractor is often smaller and easier to operate than the radial extractor. This makes it more suitable for beekeepers with small to medium apiaries. However, due to the fact that they can only extract honey from one side at a time, beekeepers need to reverse the frame inside the extractor, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

• Radial honey extractor:

  The second type is radial honey extractor. This type of extractor allows beekeepers to extract honey from both sides of the frame at once by spinning the extractor in a circular motion. The radial honey extractor has frames that are mounted perpendicularly to the spinning drum. When it spins, honey is flung out from the sides of the frames, which are facing outward. The radial extractor can be considered as more efficient than the tangential extractor because honey can be extracted from both sides of the frame at the same time. However, radial honey extractors are more expensive and usually larger than tangential honey extractors.

• Electric honey extractor:

  The last is an electric honey extractor, which is equipped with an electric motor that drives the spinning mechanism of the extractor. Electric honey extractors are convenient and easy to operate due to their motorized operation. Beekeepers do not need to use manual cranks to control the extraction speed and direction. This kind of extractor is more and more popular and widely used by commercial beekeepers and large-scale honey producers because of its efficiency, productivity and ease of use.

Specification and maintenance of honey extractors Australia

Specifications

• Capacity and combs

  Honey extractors come in various capacities, typically mentioned in litres. Commercial honey extractor Australia offers large capacities, ranging from 70 litres to over 100 litres, to accommodate the larger volume of honey produced by the beehives. They can extract honey from multiple hives simultaneously, which is essential for meeting higher production demands. For reference, three typical capacities are as follows:

  Small honey extractor: 3-6 combs (Electric or manual)

  Medium honey extractor: 8-12 combs (Electric or manual)

  Large honey extractor: 20-30 combs (Electric only)

• Construction Materials

  Honey extractors are made from durable, corrosion-resistant materials. Stainless steel is the most common material used in honey extractors due to its strength, longevity, and ability to withstand the demands of honey extraction. Extractors made of stainless steel are designed for easy cleaning and are often dishwasher-safe, making them suitable for hygienic bee product processing.

• Power Source

  Gear motors are common in electric honey extractors, which perform the function of extracting honey through comb rotation. Gear motors provide controlled speed and torque, ensuring efficient honey extraction while being relatively quiet. Electric honey extractors provide efficient and rapid extraction of honey and extractors with more than one speed. The speed is generally 200-600 RPM. Some electric extractor models have motorized operation for hands-free extraction, while others require manual cranking.

• Weight

  Honey extractors' weights vary according to size and materials. The weight of the honey extractor increases with its size and the thickness of the steel used in its construction. A small honey extractor weighs approximately 10-20 pounds (4.5-9 kg), a medium honey extractor weighs 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg), and a large honey extractor weighs in excess of 40 pounds (18 kg) up to 60 pounds (27 kg).

Maintenance

• Cleaning

  Cleaning the extractor thoroughly after each use to remove any residual honey is essential to maintain hygiene. Deep cleaning is equally important periodically to prevent the accumulation of dirt, bacteria, or debris to ensure the longevity and smooth functionality of the honey extractor.

• Lubrication

  After cleaning the extractor and removing any residual water, lubricate any moving parts, like bearings or chains, to ensure smooth operation, reduce wear and tear, and prevent rust and corrosion.

• Regular inspection

  Periodic inspections should be made to check the extractors for any signs of damage such as cracks, loose parts, or bent components. Repairing, if any, should be done at the earliest for avoiding dysfunction, ensuring the efficient and safe extraction of honey and for preserving the equipment's integrity.

• Motor care

  Electric honey extractors have motors that need to be cared for and maintained regularly. The motor cover should be cleaned, and any wires or connectors should be checked and cleaned. The motor's moving parts need to be lubricated occasionally. The motor should be stored away from moisture and dust to avoid damage and ensure the longevity of the motor and the extractor.

Usage scenarios for honey extractors

• Honey extraction for commercial beekeepers:

  Commercial beekeepers with numerous hives rely on honey extractors to extract honey in bulk quickly and efficiently. These large-capacity extractors, equipped with powerful motors, enable them to meet the high honey production demands of their businesses. By using honey extractors, commercial beekeepers can maximise their honey yield and extract it rapidly to meet market demand.

• Honey extraction for small-scale beekeepers:

  Small-scale or backyard beekeepers also use honey extractors to extract honey from their hives. They may opt for honey extractors with smaller capacities or even unpowered extractors, such as plate extractors or tangential extractors, for their convenience. Honey extractors enable small-scale beekeepers to extract honey while preserving the quality and integrity of their product.

• Honey extraction for apiaries or honey farms:

  Apiaries and honey farms operate similarly to commercial beekeepers, and honey extractors play an essential role in their honey production process. Depending on the scale of operation, they may use large-capacity honey extractors with multiple extracting baskets to extract honey efficiently. Honey extractors for apiaries or honey farms help streamline the honey extraction workflow and improve productivity.

• Honey extraction for research or laboratory:

  Some research institutions or laboratories may require honey extractors for honey analysis or research purposes. These extractors used in labs are typically smaller and more precise, allowing for controlled honey extraction to collect samples for testing, analysis, or scientific studies. Honey extractors for research or laboratory use support honey quality evaluation, composition analysis, and other scientific investigations.

• Honey extraction for commercial beekeeping service providers:

  Some beekeeping service providers offer honey extraction services to beekeepers who do not have the equipment or space to extract honey independently. Honey extractors are essential for these service providers to offer on-site honey extraction services for beekeepers, ensuring they can access their honey without investing in expensive equipment.

How to Choose Honey Extractors in Australia

When choosing a honey extractor, it is crucial to select one that meets the particular requirements. Begin by considering an extractor's size and capacity. The honey extractor's size must correlate well with apiary size and honey extraction frequency. The two primary factors to consider regarding the honey extractor's capacity are volume and diameter. For a small-scale beekeeper, a four-frame extractor will be enough. However, larger commercial beekeepers will need to choose honey extractors with more frames.

Next, evaluate the honey extractor's material and construction. Stainless steel is the most common material used for constructing honey extractors. It is important to determine whether the stainless steel used to construct the extractor is food-grade material. (Stainless steel is made up of various alloys and grades that have different percentages). Honey extractors with cylindrical tanks maintained and constructed with food-grade stainless steel are rust and corrosion resistant. They are also easy to clean and maintain.

For those who want to purchase a motorized honey extractor, it is important to check the motor's power. Choosing a honey extractor with the right motor power ensures timely production and efficient extraction. Select a motor with sufficient power based on the anticipated daily extraction volume. Lastly, focus on the details and features of the honey extractor. Details such as gates, tanks, and scraping brushes make it easier and quicker to extract honey. A honey extractor with a scraping brush and honey gate will make it easier for beekeepers to honey and clean the extractor.

Honey extractors Australia Q&A

Q1: Can honey extractors remove comb without breaking?

A1: Yes, they can. Honey extractors have a radial and tangential configuration that makes it possible to remove honey from the combs without breaking them.

Q2: What are the benefits of using honey extractors?

A2: Using honey extractors has several benefits for those in the honey production industry. It enables beekeepers to extract honey in large quantities as well as save time. Moreover, honey extractors allow for the honey to be extracted without damaging the combs, thus making it possible for the bees to reuse the combs.

Q3: What types of honey extractors are available?

A3: There are two main varieties of honey extractors, namely, radial and tangential honey extractors. Radial honey extractors are designed to extract honey from frames positioned in a circle, with the extractor drum spinning in one direction. On the other hand, tangential honey extractors have a single or double horizontal tangential drums. They take honey from frames that are positioned horizontally. Additionally, honey extractors can be categorized based on how they are powered. There are gear-driven extractors that are manually operated and those that are driven by electric motors.

Q4: How does one operate a honey extractor?

A4: First, one needs to dismantle the honey super from the hive and then prepare the honeycomb frames. Next, the frames should be placed in the honey extractor. The honey extractor should be operated after following the correct procedure. When the frames start spinning, the centrifugal force will be let out and the honey extracted. The honey extractor will then need to be cleaned after the operation. This is just a brief summary of how to operate honey extractors. The actual procedure will differ depending on the model and type of honey extractor.