A full Flow Hive Super yields a significant amount of honey. For a standard 7-frame model, such as the Flow Hive Classic or Flow Hive 2, you can expect to harvest approximately 20 kg (44 lbs) of honey when every frame is full and ready.
The Flow Hive is designed around a trade-off: it offers a remarkably simple honey extraction process that yields a specific amount of liquid honey, but it does so by precluding the harvest of traditional beeswax or honeycomb from its specialized frames.
How the Flow Hive Mechanism Works
To understand the yield, you must first understand the unique harvesting technology that defines the Flow Hive. It's a system engineered for simplicity and minimal disruption to the bees.
The Core Mechanism: Splitting the Cells
The system is built around specialized Flow Frames. These frames contain a foundation of partially formed honeycomb cells made from BPA and BPS-free plastic.
The bees complete these cells with their own wax, fill them with honey, and then cap the cells as they normally would.
The key innovation is that these cells are designed to split vertically. When you insert and turn the Flow Key, the cells shift, creating channels that allow the honey to flow downwards without disturbing the hive's structure.
The Harvesting Process
Harvesting is a clean, four-step process. First, you confirm the frames are full and capped using the hive's observation windows.
Next, you insert the Flow Key into the top of the frame and turn it 90 degrees. This action splits the cells, and pure, filtered honey flows down through a tube and directly into your jar.
Once the frame is drained, you turn the key back to its original position, resetting the cells. The bees will then uncap, repair, and refill them for the next harvest.
Built-in Observation
A key feature aiding the harvest is the set of observation windows built into the side of the hive.
These windows allow you to see when the bees have filled and capped the honey in the outer frames, signaling that it is ready for collection without needing to open the hive and disturb the colony.
Understanding the Trade-offs
The Flow Hive's innovative design presents a clear set of advantages and limitations. Acknowledging these is crucial to determining if it is the right system for you.
The Primary Advantage: Simplified Extraction
The most significant benefit is the elimination of traditional, labor-intensive extraction equipment.
With a Flow Hive, you do not need an uncapping knife, a centrifuge extractor, or filtering equipment. The honey flows out ready to be bottled, making the process faster, cleaner, and much less disruptive to the bees.
The Key Limitation: No Wax or Comb Harvest
The design that makes harvesting so easy also creates its main limitation. Because the plastic honeycomb foundation remains intact, you cannot harvest beeswax or natural honeycomb from the Flow Frames.
All the wax cappings remain inside the hive for the bees to reuse, which is efficient for the colony but a drawback if you want these other hive products.
The Hybrid Solution
For beekeepers who want both the convenience of the Flow system and the ability to harvest traditional comb, the Flow Hive Hybrid was created.
This model combines several Flow Frames with conventional timber frames, allowing you to extract liquid honey from one part of the hive and cut honeycomb from the other.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Your beekeeping goals should determine whether a Flow Hive is the correct tool for the job.
- If your primary focus is harvesting liquid honey with maximum ease and minimal disruption: The standard Flow Hive is an excellent and highly effective choice.
- If your primary focus is producing beeswax or natural honeycomb alongside liquid honey: You should consider either a traditional Langstroth hive or the Flow Hive Hybrid model.
Understanding this core trade-off is the key to choosing the right hive for your beekeeping journey.
Summary Table:
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard Yield | ~20 kg (44 lbs) per full 7-frame super |
| Hive Models | Flow Hive Classic, Flow Hive 2 |
| Key Feature | Patented Flow Frames for on-tap honey harvesting |
| Primary Trade-off | Yields liquid honey only; no beeswax or comb harvest from Flow Frames |
| Alternative Model | Flow Hive Hybrid (combines Flow Frames with traditional frames) |
Ready to simplify your honey harvest?
As a wholesale supplier to commercial apiaries and distributors, HONESTBEE provides the reliable beekeeping equipment you need to scale your operations. Whether you're considering the innovative Flow Hive or traditional setups, we supply the durable tools for efficient, high-yield beekeeping.
Contact our expert team today to discuss your equipment needs and volume pricing.
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