Honey Keeper Bee Hive Smoker Stainless Steel with Heat Shield Beekeeping Beehive Equipment
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The bellows are made of a synthetic material rather than leather. I'd compare the material to upholstery fabric, as it can withstand a lot of compression. This is an outstanding smoker.
The tabs keep the removable base off the bottom of the smoker housing, allowing the fire to breathe and maintain smoke. This isn't to say that the tabs should be bent outwards at a 90-degree angle. Simply instruct them to keep the perforated disc from touching the ground.
Pitch the disc in the appropriate direction. Light your pellet and toss it into the mix. The disc is not used by me.
I'm not sure; I'm not sure what I'm talking about. As a present, I gave it to you.
Selected User Reviews For Honey Keeper Bee Hive Smoker Stainless Steel with Heat Shield Beekeeping Beehive Equipment
Check out the most recent revision. Built well, it appears to be in good working order; the only thing I wish it had was a plate at the bottom to keep my fuel off the bottom and allow for better air flow. It can't be beat for the price. br>br>3/30/19 Update: I liked this product so much that I ordered a second one because I have hives in several locations and hate waiting for the smoker to cool down. I'm now having problems with the lid not sealing properly, allowing too much air into the system and causing my fuel to burn too quickly and too hotly. The edges of the second smoker were razor sharp when I took it out of the box. I had to sand them down after cutting my hand on them while attempting to open the top. The second smoker came with a plate to place at the bottom of the smoker to maintain air circulation. I usually use pine needles with a pressed paper started because this one does not seal properly and allows everything to catch fire. This has never happened in any of my previous smokers. There's a reason why the price is what it is. I thought I had discovered something worthwhile, but I had been duped. The second one's leather had cracked right out of the box.
A blast furnace is a low-cost option. Get a ML or a Dadant to be safe. Update 21: This is the tenth time I've used it. Gently. The hanger hook finally snapped today. Never, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever Welds that are not up to par. Purchase is not recommended. Obtain a ML or a Dadant. In the long run, you will save money. The word CHEAP does not imply a good deal. 12 - br>br>br>br>br>br>br>br>b Update 20: My third smoker was purchased. A Dadant shorty that doesn't have a wire heat protector. It fits inside my Behrens 8-cup coffee maker. Perfect fit for a quart bucket (fire safety). I recently received my CA Master Beekeeper certification, so I know a little about the subject. This combination has been my go-to for the past six months. br>br>Recent changes: br>br> When I tried it again with a full roll of ML burlap, it worked fine inverted but not upright. The canister hole and the puffer jet aren't lined up. It's hammer time; I'll take care of it. br>br>I was drawn in by the low price and the opportunity to compare it to my low-cost ML smoker. To test it out, I put in about 24" of ML burlap fuel. br>br>Here are some of the things I don't like:br>1. The bellows are not made of leather, but of laminated vinyl. As I've seen on others, the plastic outer layer will flake off over time.
2. There is no heat in the room. On the bottom, there is a shield cage. This smoker will burn the surface it sits on, unlike a ML smoker, which will not.
3. Even when not being pumped, the thing burns like a blast furnace and belches smoke. Compared to my ML, I got a lot more sparks from this. Because it burned so hot and fast on its own, I had to leave it out on a brick wall until the fuel ran out. My ML smoker will extinguish in a matter of minutes if I cover it in aluminum foil. The Pros: br>br>The Pros: br>br>The Pros: br>b
1. It is inexpensivebr>2. The lid hook (which is used to open it) is riveted (my ML's was spot welded and broke). br>br>I'll keep experimenting with different fuels (leaves, pine needles, ML burlap, and so on. ) I'll keep you updated.
This smoker is more than adequate, and it's especially good for the price; it's my second purchase of the same tool. If there's anything wrong with it, it's that it's difficult to get the hot ashes out. When the smoker is turned upside down, the lid attempts to close, making it a two-handed operation.
When I left my old ML on top of my husband's truck and it went on a road trip, it met a tragic end. This was a last-minute replacement for the end of the season. I'm the one who didn't double-check. I was in a rush to get a queen installed before the sun set and the temperature dropped. I took it from the box, lit it, and walked over to the beehives. I didn't realize it didn't have a complete cage and sat it on top of the next hive over, as I always do. Sadly. I'm going to have to replace that insulated lid because it's completely melted on both sides. It was my fault, but that thing was scorching! Everything else appears to be in good working order. It got a lot hotter and burned a lot faster than my ML. I'll give it another go, but it's definitely not a plug-and-play solution. I'm pretty sure I'll have to keep an eye on the temperature with this one.
It really works. My original was included in a deal with Kelly Bees/Mann Lake. The lid (fit) and hinge appear to be better on this one, which is larger and more robust. br>However, my unit arrived damaged, and I'm not sure if it was the carrier's or the supplier's fault. The box had been dented, but the dent was not where the damage had occurred. br>In general, the value for money is excellent. I'm content with myself. br>UPDATE**
The pleather bellows caught fire, which was a little careless on my part, but something less flammable would be nice. For the price, I'd keep the four stars and just know what you have.
My husband bought me two of them, so I now have two. It's fine; a friend gave me his old one, which is about 2-years-old. Heightened by four inches. The taller one, I believe, is my favorite. But, once again, this one works fine, despite the fact that the pellets are useless. Pine needles, pine cones, and paper have been my tools of choice. My professional beekeeper friend taught me how to use wood chips from a critter cage's bottom. I haven't gotten any of those yet because my back yard is covered in pine needles, and I will never buy pellets again. It's difficult to light, they don't stay lit for long, and it takes several. I've never been able to keep the smoke going for an extended period of time with just pellets, so I can't say how many you'll need. This smoker is fine, but I prefer the taller model.
This product has the best price for itself, although the manufacturer recommends I price it at $10. The piece with the pump is made quite well. The wood panel is thick so don't let the water get on it, the metal is durable and the battery works fine.
I was impressed by the smoker's and brush's quality. The carburetor at the bottom of the smoker was its weakest link. Something a little more robust would be nice, but what's there works fine, and I got it just in time to steal honey from my hives!.
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