Honey Extractors

Help Yourself and Your Bees with Mann Lake Honey Extractors

Honey extractors are essential pieces of beekeeping equipment that make the process of harvesting honey much easier and more efficient. They work by using centrifugal force to extract honey from the honeycomb without damaging the frames. This allows beekeepers to reuse the frames, which helps maintain the hive’s structure and reduces the amount of work required for the bees to rebuild.

When you harvest honey, the extractor spins the frames rapidly, causing the honey to be flung out of the comb cells and collect at the bottom of the extractor. The honey is then drained through a honey gate or spout, ready to be bottled or stored. This process is much faster and more effective than manual scraping, and it helps preserve the honeycomb so the bees can use it again.

Honey extractors are available in different styles and configurations, including manual and electric models. The type of extractor you choose depends on the size of your operation and how often you harvest honey. Mann Lake offers a range of high-quality honey extractors designed to meet the needs of both small-scale hobbyists and large commercial beekeepers.

How Honey Extractors Work

The honey extraction process is straightforward but highly effective. First, the beekeeper loads the frames containing honeycomb into the basket or drum inside the extractor. Depending on the type of extractor, the frames may be positioned radially or tangentially.

When the extractor is activated, either by a hand crank or an electric motor, the basket begins to spin rapidly. The centrifugal force causes the honey to be pulled out of the comb cells. Radial extractors allow you to extract honey from both sides of the frame at the same time, while tangential extractors require you to flip the frame to extract honey from the other side. Once the honey is extracted, it collects at the bottom of the extractor and can be drained through a honey gate into jars or containers.

This process allows you to harvest honey more efficiently while protecting the integrity of the wax comb. This means the bees can reuse the comb, saving them time and energy when rebuilding the hive.

Mann Lake HH284 40 Frame, HH826 48 Frame, and HH170 189 Frame Honey Extractors

Manual and Electric Honey Extractors for Sale

When selecting a honey extractor, the first decision you’ll need to make is whether you want a manual or electric model.

Manual extractors are operated by turning a hand crank, giving you full control over the spinning speed. They’re more affordable and ideal for small-scale beekeeping operations. While they require more physical effort, they allow you to handle the honey extraction process at your own pace.
Electric extractors use a motor to spin the frames, making the process faster and easier. They are more efficient and ideal for larger-scale honey extraction. Many electric models come with variable speed settings, allowing you to adjust the rotation speed based on the type of honeycomb you're working with.

Another important consideration is whether you need a radial or tangential extractor. Radial extractors allow honey to be extracted from both sides of the frame at once, making them more efficient for larger operations. Tangential extractors require you to flip the frame to extract honey from both sides, but they tend to be more affordable and are a great choice for smaller beekeeping setups.

Mann Lake HH163 Motorized and HH165 Manual Honey Extractors

The size of the extractor also matters. Extractors range from small two-frame models for hobbyists to large commercial-scale units capable of handling up to 80 frames at a time. If you have a small number of hives, a two or three-frame model may be enough. However, if you have a larger operation or plan to expand, a high-capacity electric extractor will save you time and effort in the long run.

Featured Mann Lake Honey Extractors

	HH163	HH165	HH913	HH926	HH162	HH130	HH813	HH200	HH280	HH825	HH824
Frame Capacity	8 shallow / 4 deep	8 shallow / 4 deep	24-frame	48-frame	2–3 frames	2 frames	24 frames	6 shallow / 3 deep	18 shallow / 9 deep	80 frames	40 frames
Type	Electric	Manual	Electric	Electric	Manual	Manual	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric	Electric
Radial / Tangential	Radial	Radial	Radial	Radial	Tangential	Tangential	Radial	Radial	Radial	Radial (Horizontal)	Radial (Horizontal)
Key Features	Compact, versatile basket	Compact, versatile basket	Tapered bottom with center drain	Side discharge design	Simple hand crank, small scale	Lightweight plastic, easy to use	Auger-assisted honey flow	Motorized, medium capacity	Mid-range, electric motor	Commercial scale, integrated tables	Large scale, includes tables & pump