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A smoker is an essential tool for beekeeping. Here is how to use yours safely and effectively.
How to Choose Your Smoker Fuel
There are a few choices when it comes to fuelling your smoker…
Fast-Burning Materials (To Start the Fire)
- Dry leaves
- Dry pine needles
- Plain paper or paper bags
- Thin cardboard
Slow-Burning Materials (To Sustaining the Smoke)
- Cotton
- Wood shavings or wood pellets
- Decayed, dry plant and tree matter
Materials to Avoid (Safety Risk)
- Cardboard with glue or ink
- Synthetic materials
- Glossy paper or coloured card
Step-by-Step: Lighting the Smoker
Test the Temperature: Close the lid and pump the bellows until dense, cool smoke pours out. Always test the heat of the smoke against the back of your bare hand first—hot smoke will singe and anger the bees.
Start the Fire: Open the top of the smoker and ensure the grate is sitting flat in the bottom. Light a small piece of your fast-burning fuel and drop it in.
Puff the Bellows: Gently squeeze the bellows repeatedly until you see bright embers at the bottom.
Add the Slow Burn: Loosely pack your slow-burning material on top of the embers. Tip: Do not pack it too tightly or you will choke out the oxygen.
Ready For Use on Your Hive
Once you have removed the roof and crown board squeeze a couple of puffs of smoke into the hive and at the entrance to calm the bees, Don’t over do it as too much smoke will stress them.
Extinguishing Your Smoker
When your inspection is finished, extinguish the smoker by stuffing the funnel with grass to stop the airflow. Leave the smoker to properly cool and then dispose of the ash.
I currently use the FLEXZION BEEHIVE SMOKER on my hives. It has a heat guard, leather bellows, a clip to keep the bellows closed when not in use and a hook to hang up the smoker with. It is easy to use and the bellows are effective in producing a lot of smoke. After several uses the lid sometimes needs a little manipulation to open, possibly due to build up of tar from the burning fuels.
You can check the current price and full specifications of the Flexzion Smoker on Amazon.