🐝💗Our Backyard Beekeeping Journey!💗🐝

[drstratton]

This is the only batch I make. Don't put them on until the boxes feel light on the heft. Last winter they didn't really use them. With this early cold coming in I have to really keep an eye on them. After the fall extraction, 100 lbs +/- they still had over 80 lbs + coming into winter. Another thing I do is take unrendered capping and let them clean it early spring when the weather warms.

I wasn't as convinced that ours were heavy enough. So, we decided to go ahead and add the bricks.

 

[5Australorpasaures]

I wasn't as convinced that ours were heavy enough. So, we decided to go ahead and add the bricks.

Er on the side of caution 'ey?

 

[drstratton]

Er on the side of caution 'ey?

Exactly!

 

[5Australorpasaures]

New extractor just arrived, no lumps, bumps or bruises. Motor works quietly, all factory hardware tight. I will raise the center shaft a smidge. Back in the box and out in the bee room till June/July extract.

 

[drstratton]

New extractor just arrived, no lumps, bumps or bruises. Motor works quietly, all factory hardware tight. I will raise the center shaft a smidge. Back in the box and out in the bee room till June/July extract.

We really like ours. One thing we did was to use food grade silicone where the shaft sits inside the canister. You probably already know that, but just in case you didn't. I hope yours does a good job for you!

 

[Sally PB]

One thing we did was to use food grade silicone where the shaft sits inside the canister.

The first time we used our extractor, it was nice and quiet. The second time, it squealed horribly. I was sure it was dry inside before we sealed it up and put it away, but I guess not.

So... is food grade silicone a way to get some peace and quiet? How do you apply it? What particular brand do you use?

 

[R2elk]

We really like ours. One thing we did was to use food grade silicone where the shaft sits inside the canister. You probably already know that, but just in case you didn't. I hope yours does a good job for you!

I use food grade grease. Got a grease cartridge from Mann Lake and have much more than I will ever need.

 

[drstratton]

The first time we used our extractor, it was nice and quiet. The second time, it squealed horribly. I was sure it was dry inside before we sealed it up and put it away, but I guess not.

So... is food grade silicone a way to get some peace and quiet? How do you apply it? What particular brand do you use?

This is the brand we bought and yes, it helps. It did squeal once in awhile.
You just squeeze it where the shaft sits in the canister.
https://a.co/d/0fTszH0

 

[drstratton]

I use food grade grease. Got a grease cartridge from Mann Lake and have much more than I will ever need.

Grease is what I meant, don't know why I said silicone.

 

[R2elk]

The first time we used our extractor, it was nice and quiet. The second time, it squealed horribly. I was sure it was dry inside before we sealed it up and put it away, but I guess not.

So... is food grade silicone a way to get some peace and quiet? How do you apply it? What particular brand do you use?

Food Grease

I get a finger tip of it and spread it in the receiver and lightly coat the rod where it fits in the receiver. Eventually you will need to regrease the turning gears too.

You can also use this grease when your KitchenAid stand mixer needs its gears regreased.