A Medium Super is a wooden hive component with a height of 6 5/8 inches (16.83 cm), specifically designed to house 6 1/4 inch (15.88 cm) frames. While it acts as a standard unit for beekeeping, its specific dimensions make it a distinct alternative to larger hive bodies.
The Medium Super serves a dual purpose: while primarily standard for surplus honey storage, it offers a flexible alternative to larger boxes for the colony's central brood chamber.
Technical Specifications
Box Dimensions
The Medium Super is defined by its vertical height of 6 5/8 inches (16.83 cm).
This specific height is critical for compatibility with other hive components. It ensures the box integrates seamlessly into the vertical stack of a standard hive.
Frame Compatibility
Internally, this box is engineered to hold frames measuring 6 1/4 inches (15.88 cm).
The difference between the box height and frame height allows for the necessary "bee space," permitting bees to move freely between vertically stacked boxes without building unwanted comb.
Primary and Secondary Applications
Storage of Surplus Honey
The most frequent application of the Medium Super is for the collection of surplus honey.
Beekeepers typically place these units above the brood nest. This segregates the honey intended for harvest from the colony's main living quarters.
As a Brood Chamber
Contrary to common practice, the Medium Super is not limited to honey storage.
It serves as a viable brood chamber, or the primary "living area" for the bees. This allows the Medium Super to function as a direct alternative to larger, deeper hive bodies often used for this purpose.
Understanding the Trade-offs
Equipment Uniformity vs. Volume
Choosing to use Medium Supers for the brood chamber introduces a trade-off regarding volume.
Because these boxes are smaller than standard large hive bodies, you may require a higher quantity of boxes to provide the same total living space for the colony.
However, this approach simplifies management by standardizing all equipment to a single box and frame size.
Making the Right Choice for Your Goal
Ideally, the decision to use Medium Supers depends on how you wish to manage the weight and modularity of your hive.
- If your primary focus is honey production: Utilize the Medium Super strictly as an upper tier for honey storage to keep harvestable weight manageable.
- If your primary focus is equipment standardization: Adopt the Medium Super for both the brood chamber and honey storage to ensure every frame and box in your apiary is interchangeable.
The Medium Super offers a strategic balance between storage capacity and physical manageability.
Summary Table:
| Feature | Specification / Detail |
|---|---|
| Box Height | 6 5/8 inches (16.83 cm) |
| Frame Height | 6 1/4 inches (15.88 cm) |
| Primary Use | Surplus honey storage (Honey Super) |
| Secondary Use | Standardized brood chamber unit |
| Key Benefit | Reduced lifting weight & equipment uniformity |
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