Honey supers are categorized into three primary sizes based on depth and capacity: shallow, medium, and deep. When fully loaded with honey, a shallow super weighs approximately 35–40 lbs, a medium weighs 50–60 lbs, and a deep super weighs between 80–100 lbs.
Core Takeaway: While larger boxes reduce the total equipment count needed for the hive, the weight of a full deep box can be unmanageable for many beekeepers. The "medium" super is frequently the preferred choice because it offers the most practical balance between honey volume and physical lifting requirements.
The Function of the Honey Super
The term "super" is derived from superstructure, referring to the boxes added to the hive above the main brood nest.
Purpose and Placement
These boxes are placed above the brood chamber specifically to collect surplus honey.
Separation from the Brood
Harvesting only from these upper boxes ensures you are taking surplus intended for storage, rather than the colony's essential winter reserves.
Purity of Harvest
Keeping the honey supers separate from the brood nest prevents contamination from larvae or impurities, resulting in a cleaner, more mature honey harvest.
Breakdown of Sizes and Weights
The choice of super size dictates both the volume of honey stored and the physical labor required to harvest it.
Deep Supers
Deep supers are the largest standard size, measuring 9 5/8 inches in depth. While they offer immense storage capacity, a full deep box can weigh 80–100 lbs. Due to this weight, deep boxes are often reserved for the lower brood chamber rather than for honey harvest.
Medium Supers
Medium supers measure 6 5/8 inches in depth. A full medium box typically weighs 50–60 lbs. This size is widely considered the standard for harvesting because it reduces physical strain without requiring an excessive number of boxes.
Shallow Supers
Shallow supers are the lightest option available. When full, these boxes weigh approximately 35–40 lbs, making them the most ergonomic choice for beekeepers concerned with lifting heavy loads.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Choosing equipment involves balancing the efficiency of the colony against the ergonomics of the beekeeper.
The Weight vs. Efficiency Conflict
Using deep supers is technically the most efficient method for the bees, as it provides the most unbroken comb surface area. However, lifting a 100 lb box at chest or head height during a harvest poses a significant risk of injury.
Equipment Standardization
Some professionals use deeps for everything to standardize equipment, but most beekeepers separate their gear: deeps for the brood nest (where the queen lays) and mediums or shallows for honey.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Select your equipment based on your physical capabilities and your management strategy.
- If your primary focus is Physical Ease: Choose shallow supers; while you will need to buy more boxes to hold the same amount of honey, the 35–40 lb weight limit is significantly safer for your back.
- If your primary focus is Operational Balance: Choose medium supers; these are the industry "sweet spot" (50–60 lbs), offering good storage volume without becoming immovable objects.
- If your primary focus is Equipment Minimalization: Choose deep supers, but only if you have mechanical assistance or the physical strength to safely lift up to 100 lbs repeatedly.
Prioritize your long-term physical health over maximum volume per box to ensure beekeeping remains a sustainable activity.
Summary Table:
| Super Type | Depth (Inches) | Estimated Full Weight (lbs) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shallow | 5 11/16" | 35–40 lbs | Ergonomics & Physical Ease |
| Medium | 6 5/8" | 50–60 lbs | Industry Standard & Operational Balance |
| Deep | 9 5/8" | 80–100 lbs | Maximum Capacity & Equipment Standardization |
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