Medium and shallow supers are specialized hive boxes designed primarily to hold the surplus honey you intend to harvest. These boxes are shorter in height than the standard deep supers used for the brood nest, making them significantly lighter and easier to manage when filled with honeycomb.
The primary function of medium and shallow supers is to serve as the colony's "pantry" for excess honey storage. Their reduced size is a deliberate design choice intended to protect the beekeeper from the physical strain of lifting heavy, full boxes.
The Role of Medium and Shallow Supers
Dedicated Honey Storage
The main purpose of these smaller boxes is to collect the honey crop.
While the deep boxes at the bottom of the hive serve as the nursery for raising baby bees (brood), the supers placed above are strictly for food storage.
Strategic Positioning
These boxes are stacked on top of the brood chamber.
The term "super" implies they are "superior" or added above the main living quarters. To ensure these boxes remain pure honey repositories, beekeepers often place a queen excluder between the deep brood box and the honey supers to prevent egg-laying in the harvest frames.
Versatility of the Medium Box
The medium super, in particular, strikes a unique balance.
It is large enough to be used for brood rearing if necessary, yet small enough to handle as a honey super. Many beekeepers prefer medium frames as a "universal" size for both brood and honey to simplify equipment management.
Why Height Differences Matter
Weight Management
The most critical reason for using medium or shallow supers is weight reduction.
A deep box filled completely with honey is extremely heavy and difficult to lift. Medium and shallow supers reduce this weight burden, though even a smaller 10-frame honey super can weigh over 30 lbs when full.
Ease of Harvest
During the productive summer months, bees fill space rapidly.
Using shorter boxes allows beekeepers to remove and process honey in manageable segments without needing heavy lifting equipment.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Equipment Incompatibility
Using different box sizes introduces logistical complexity.
If you use deeps for brood and shallows for honey, the frames are not interchangeable. You cannot move a resource frame from a shallow super down into a deep brood box if the colony needs emergency food.
Cost vs. Volume
Shallow supers hold less honey per unit than deeps.
To store the same volume of honey, you will need to buy and construct more shallow boxes and frames than you would if you were capable of lifting deep boxes.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
When selecting your supers, consider your physical capability and your desire for equipment standardization.
- If your primary focus is Ease of Handling: Choose shallow supers to keep individual box weights as low as possible during the harvest.
- If your primary focus is Versatility: Choose medium supers for everything, allowing you to swap frames between the brood nest and honey stores seamlessly.
By matching the box size to your management style, you ensure a sustainable apiary that is kind to both your bees and your back.
Summary Table:
| Super Type | Height (approx.) | Primary Use | Weight (Full) | Frame Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Super | 9 5/8" | Brood Chamber | 70-90 lbs | Limited to Deeps |
| Medium Super | 6 5/8" | Honey & Versatile Brood | 40-55 lbs | Universal (if standardized) |
| Shallow Super | 5 11/16" | Dedicated Honey | 30-40 lbs | Limited to Shallows |
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