Ok…. So, I have a serious crush on this Flow Hive! I’ve been reading reviews over the last few years, checking the blogosphere, watching their crowd source funding skyrocket and I’ve been trying to decide… should I do it? Should I not? Pros: Easy honey harvesting, innovative design, works with Langstroth Hives (8 and 10 frames), can be used with existing bee keeping equipment…. Cons: Price, durability in a Northern Climate (according to some comments), no beeswax for candles, lip balms and lotions, potential to “rob” too much honey from a hive so they don’t make it through the winter.
Such a dilemma… What to do??? I mean….
I’d really like to add bees to my garden. It seems like a natural progression considering I need bees to help pollinate everything in my garden and orchard. My biggest hold back has been the time and effort needed to just harvest the honey! That and getting stung! I know a Flow Hive doesn’t preclude me from getting stung… but it sure does make the harvesting of honey a whole lot easier and enjoyable. And there needs to be more “bee friendly” locations. I usually have a TON of bees in my garden, raspberry bushes and cruising the alfalfa fields… so why not reap the benefits of fresh honey.
So, I think I’ve made up my mind… Yes, I have… I’m going to do it…
Flow Hive harvest of all 6 Flow Frames (C) Flow Hive www.honeyflow.com
I just bought my Flow Hive! Correction… I just bought my Flow Super Hybrid! I’m still going to order my Brood boxes, but those will be just the standard Langstroth Brood boxes to save some money.
The Flow Super Hybrid seems like it’s going to be a perfect fit. First, it is considerably cheaper than buying an entire Flow Hive Kit. Second, I still get the convenience of “turn-key” honey extraction from the four (4) Flow Frames. Third, I’ll get some beeswax and comb from the four (4) regular Langstroth frames that the bees will be able to build their comb on. And lastly, Five, I’ll be able to take out/ take off the Flow Super Hive for the winter and ensure it’s fully cleaned out so that there won’t be any issues over the winter during another Polar Vortex! (Yeah…. y’all know another one’s going to hit us again… might as well be prepared).
So, I didn’t hit all my main points (Like getting stung!) But all-in-all, this seems like such a great choice! Yippee (doing a little happy dance)! My Flow Super Hybrid won’t be here until later this upcoming spring, but that gives me plenty of time to signup for the Women’s Environmental Institute Bee Keeping class. I took a one-day class from their instructor and he was excellent! This class runs through the entire lifecycle of the bee and gives a person hands-on experience to then take back to their own hives. Plus, I’ve got a few beekeeping gear items to purchase and order my winter hardy bees from a local apiary. More to follow…. So EXCITED!
Definitely a different thought to using the Flow Hive versus the traditional ways. I know there’s a lot of strong feelings about the Flow Hive. You’ll have to post how it all goes. Good luck.
Hello from Minnesota and a fellow bee keeper! I understand the nature of the loss of bees in the winter and the feeling of ‘lost honey” I am curious to see how this is going to work and I wonder how insects esp flies stay out of the flow if it is open. Keep us posted. Can’t wait to see the end results.
Theresa, hello fellow Minnesota be keeper! I hope your hives survived the Polar Vortexes and harsh conditions this year. I too worry about it foot next year. It will be interesting to see how this works. I’m using regular Langstroth boxes for my brood and overwintering, but wanted to try a way to make it easier to get some honey. Crossing my fingers this is successful, but I’ll definitely keep everyone posted!
Yeah.. pain point for me and my family is the price… SO COOL tho!
Let me know how it goes? 🙂