A honey super is a dedicated hive box placed above the brood chamber specifically for the colony to store surplus honey. The two most common sizes for these units are shallow and medium, which are selected based on the beekeeper's ability to lift heavy loads.
The term "super" is short for "superstructure," referring to the add-on boxes placed above the permanent hive structure during nectar flows. Unlike the brood boxes where bees live year-round, supers are strictly for collecting excess honey that you intend to harvest.
The Role of the Honey Super
The Concept of Superstructure
The main body of a hive, where the colony resides and raises young, is considered the hive's "structure."
The honey super acts as the superstructure. It is an extension added to the hive only when the colony requires extra volume to store nectar during peak production periods.
Separation of Resources
Honey supers create a distinct separation between the colony's living quarters and their food stores.
By placing these boxes on top of the brood boxes, you provide a designated area for surplus honey. This ensures that when you harvest, you are removing excess product rather than disturbing the core nest where the bees live.
Common Sizes and Weight Specifications
The Shallow Super
The shallow super is the smallest common option for honey storage.
According to standard specifications, a full shallow box weighs approximately 35 to 40 pounds. This reduced weight makes it the most manageable option for beekeepers concerned with heavy lifting.
The Medium Super
The medium super offers a balance between manageability and volume.
It holds a larger volume of honey than the shallow version. Consequently, a full medium box weighs about 10 pounds more than a shallow box, bringing the total weight to roughly 45–50 pounds.
Understanding the Trade-offs: Weight vs. Efficiency
The Density Problem
New beekeepers often ask why they cannot use large "deep" boxes for honey to maximize storage.
The answer is physical limitation. Honey is extremely dense and heavy. While deep boxes are standard for brood, using them for honey results in a box that is often too heavy for a single person to lift safely.
Ergonomics Over Volume
The trade-off with honey supers is sacrificing total volume per box for better ergonomics.
Using medium or shallow supers is the industry recommendation. While you may need to buy and stack more boxes to equal the volume of a deep box, the ease of lifting during harvest is critical for safety and efficiency.
Making the Right Choice for Your Apiary
Choosing the right super size depends largely on your physical comfort and the scale of your operation.
- If your primary focus is physical sustainability: Choose shallow supers to keep the maximum lifting weight under 40 pounds, reducing strain on your back.
- If your primary focus is equipment efficiency: Choose medium supers to minimize the total number of boxes and frames you need to purchase, provided you can comfortably lift 50+ pounds.
Select the size that allows you to enjoy the harvest without risking injury.
Summary Table:
| Super Type | Dimensions (Standard) | Weight (When Full) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shallow Super | Smallest/Shortest | 35 – 40 lbs | Maximum ergonomics and easy lifting |
| Medium Super | Standard Height | 45 – 55 lbs | Balance of volume and manageability |
| Deep Box | Largest/Tallest | 80 – 90+ lbs | Brood chambers (Too heavy for honey) |
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