The extractor removes honey from the comb by centrifugal force without destroying the comb. That is what makes reuse of drawn comb possible.

Two designs

• Tangential: Frames face outward on one side and must be turned. Cheaper and smaller; suitable for few colonies
• Radial: Frames sit like spokes of a wheel and empty from both sides at once. Faster, but more expensive and larger

The tangential pitfall

Emptying one side completely while the other is still full lets the weight break the comb.

The method is therefore: part of one side, turn, the other side fully, then back.

Speed

Start slowly and build up. Beginning at full speed breaks comb, especially fresh comb and comb with brood remains.

Warm honey flows more readily than cold; extracting on the day of harvest goes faster.

Materials

Everything touching honey must be stainless steel or food-grade plastic. Galvanised metal and untreated steel are unsuitable; honey is acidic.

Setting up

• Firm and level; imbalance sets the machine moving
• High enough to place a bucket or strainer underneath
• Secured or weighted if the machine is light

Cleaning

Wash with warm water after use and dry completely. Residual honey goes mouldy and becomes a source of contamination next season. Do not forget the tap and the base.

The shared machine

An extractor is expensive and used a few days a year. Many associations keep a shared machine — for a beginner almost always the sensible route.