The Flow Hive for honey bees, Love it? Hate it? or Undecided? Price? Review of Quality Control

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A complete review of the FlowHive honey super and patented frames for honeybee honey removal without uncapping, straining, filtering, or processing. The initial quality of wood joints was not so good in my opinion. My thoughts and observations.
Follow our progress with FlowHives on this page: www.fredsfinefowl.com/theflow...
YES! in response to those generous viewers who have asked how they can support my work, please follow this link: / 3494368
Avoid Fakes, here is the real FlowHive at a $50.00 discount: mbsy.co/honeyflow/29307941
AU - mbsy.co/zSDf9
EU - mbsy.co/zSDbm
UPDATE ABOUT PLASTICS: lack of evidence for microplastic contamination in honey:
Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A Vol 34, 2017 - issue 11.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/1...
Showing the 7 Frame FlowHive, hive body construction, and design, components, frame design, and thoughts on what I think is good or not? Parts were missing, and joints did not fit. The next step will be observing the bees when I put this super on a strong colony in the spring of 2016. Subscribe to be certain not to miss that! Yes.. they are BOX JOINTS.. not dovetails... sorry about that.
The following is a link for those who are interested in the safety of using plastics in a bee hive, specifically these flow frames: www.honeyflow.com/faqs/are-the...
UPDATE! Since this video was made, Flow has taken over their own wood manufacturing and I have had zero problems with all of my other Flow-Hive components - they are now precision laser cut and I have been using them with excellent results as of 10/03/2019 - 8 flowhives and growing!
I do not treat my honey bees, learn about the bees I manage here:
www.beeweaver.com/our-story
Do you have the need to read about bees? goo.gl/S3a6vF
I use Acorn Frames in my Deep Brood Box: goo.gl/84LZSR
Know if your honey is ready with this Refractometer: goo.gl/z98ohK
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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16 фев 2016

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Комментарии : 2,1 тыс.

@60knightsix 7 лет назад

Mr. Dunn...I love raw, unfiltered honey; always have. I've always been fascinated by bees and everything to do with them, including their issues with disease and "Africanization." That said, my interests are purely intellectual, not practical. I am greatly impressed by your presentation and willingness to purchase and "see for yourself" without preconceived notions about a new technology. Your level of detail and honest appraisal is noted. Well done, Sir...I wish we had more like you to inform and educate others. John

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Hi John, What a great comment, and you've definitely started my day off right. We share the appreciation of RAW honey and I can't even look at commercially produced honey-like products anymore. Many years ago, around 2006, I noticed a conspicuous absence of honey bees on my property and that led me down the path of honey bee observation. I volunteered my photographic services to document the condition of colony collapse disorder. I met the State Bee Inspector at several apiaries and was witness to every possible challenge and material condition the bees were impacted by. the state inspector suggested that I have my own colonies in order to better observe and compare. I quickly was in touch with apiaries from coast to coast and ultimately liked the Weaver family in Texas, as they were allowing their stock to die out and work with "survivor" colonies. They were widely being criticized by industry beekeepers as irresponsible. Today, varroa resistant, hygienic bees, of the survivor stock are very much in demand. I hope you'll view some of my other bee videos John, I'm so glad you're here!

@Space_Trucker 7 лет назад

Whatever debate the flow causes in the beekeeping world, this is one of the most unbiased and professional reviews I've seen on it. Thank you for taking the time to inform us.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Thank you Chelsey, your comment made my day :)

@VidKatMA1 4 года назад

I agree. Just the Facts ma'am...no bias.

@PapaBee165 Год назад

From the start, fredrick has had an open mind about the flow hive. That made me stick to his advice 95% of the time. He’s very objective.

@mamoonakram8529 8 лет назад

hi fred i am from pakistan' i watched your video and found it very informative 'you explained everything very well but what i like about you is that you care for environment and earth 'thanks for sharing your knowledge with us ' world need more people like yourself.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Mamoon Akram Thank you so much Mamoon! That is one of the best comments I've received.. I wish you well there in Pakistan!

@marianbuduroi6463 5 лет назад

a like your comment

@Zerkbern 8 лет назад

I really enjoyed this vid, Mr. Dunn. I'm an "arm chair" beekeeper. I've watched tons of videos and read many books. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Zerkbern Thanks, I really appreciate that comment! Keep up your studies and then dive into the University of Direct Experience :)

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

UPDATE.... I purchased a second 7 Frame FlowSuper so I can place it on a second colony and make comparisons. The Box arrived from Oregon all components were in fine shape and fit without issues. Also, no splits, knots or cracks. The two wooden observation latches were missing but they sent them straight away. All of the frames were perfect. And so it goes... let the learning continue.

@MaxRay16 8 лет назад

I live in Lancaster, PA and am embarrassed about the first one

@michaelmcneil4168 8 лет назад

I am afraid if I was going to go with the idea I'd try the Chinese the Us versions are badly supported. No guarantee the Chinese won't be as bad or worse of course. But I would certainly make price comparisons.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Michael McNeil There is another RU-vidr who has the Chinese version and shows the comparisons, probably pretty easy to find.

@johnog8358 8 лет назад

+Michael McNeil Do you know the name of the similar brands/ Chinese versions? I can't find info on them, thanks.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Johnog They are on E-Bay... they call themselves FlowHives, but are not the same.

@jessicageorge9136 Год назад

I just purchased a Flow Hive 2. We are interested in bees for the environmental aspect and for our own honey, but have no experience and want to start on a small scale. This kit seems to be a great way to start and learn.

@FatNebraskaMom Год назад

If you're interested in bees for the environment, you should be boosting native species. Honeybees are a hobby. Masons and leafcutters need more help.

@scotcompston 6 месяцев назад

Actually the flow Hive is basically a langstroth hive with the flow super technology. The flow super is the only difference between a langstroth and a flow hive.

@user-hi5cv1hj4d 3 месяца назад

어디서 구매하셧나요?

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

ALERT! Today alone, I have had to remove/block FOUR Chinese Company Posts that have links selling a Chinese Version of the FlowHIve. There is only one source (at this time) for FlowHive frames and FlowHive Bodies. Please be aware that if it's not from the FlowHive website and it's NEW, it is not a true FlowHive and is pirated/counterfeit. I am amazed by how quickly they have done this.

@LowLightVideos 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn - Easy to steal, even easier if you send your Ideas to them (Injection Molded Products, or anything else). They will make your Order and IF they are dishonest they simply keep the Equipment running and make a bunch of _whatever_ for themselves. In the case of Injection Molding you need to deal with LOCAL reputable Companies and have EACH Company only make ONE Part, then YOU assemble the bits and pieces in your own Factory - don't give ONE Foreign Company the *Key* to your Business. I am an expert in the Field of Manufacturing (but not an expert in Carpentry). My unqualified opinion on the wood Frame is that the QC is very poor and the actual size should match standard Hives (for stacking). Obviously the Dovetails should be sanded and slide together smoothly (with a gentle hammer tap to knock it together, and a means to leverage it apart if moisture soaked). The Screws should be bagged, labeled and include either one extra or 10% extra (whichever is more). As for the quality of the Injection Molding, the clear plastic parts appear to be of better quality than the yellow parts (from what I can tell from your Video, using a Magnifying Glass). It's a neat system but a peel off front (that takes the caps off) and a collapsible Honeycomb (that squeezes out almost all the Honey instantly) would be a better system (if you're inclined to 'invent' your own - use my idea). Wit the amount of money they Kickstarted and what they charge the quality should be a LOT better. Looks like THEY are the only ones making money from 'Beekeeping' (IF they are really that into it). Probably have a new Job now, selling these poorly made but otherwise ingenious Bee Frames. Sweet success. YT, Rob Want to Video Bees in the dark, equipment on my Channel. 😃

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Hi Rob, all great points. Nope.. I have no interest in marketing or re-selling flow hives, parts or components, I'll leave that to them. I'm fairly certain that after a world wide consumer test and feedback is returned, the flowhive system will continue to be improved. They are also being "illegally" manufactured in Turkey and being sold on E-bay. They are learning quickly not to include "FlowHive" in the title anymore. What a mess. Currently my honey bees are actually chewing the edges of the flow box. I've never had them in cedar before, I'm guessing they felt it needed further modification. :)

@hoplite46 7 лет назад

Damm them Chinese pirates

@farukbal5559 7 лет назад

Hi +Frederick Dunn I m from Turkey we sometimes copy some goods illegaly but I couldnt see any beehive producer in my country could you give a link please.

@farukbal5559 7 лет назад

I sow a product colled akar çerçeve* in Turkish but its an import good. Original name of it is flow light I mean not a Turkish good.

@tube4waldek 4 года назад

This is “finger joint” or “box joint” and not “dovetail joint”. But yes, it should match!

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

yes, I wrote about that in the video description. Apologies all around, I'll never live that one down.

@dixsigns1717 4 года назад

@@FrederickDunn it's OK! I love your videos.

@JasperJanssen 4 года назад

Frederick Dunn enh. You’re a beekeeper, not a woodworker. But yeah, the quality of the wood shown here is... barely acceptable for a crowdfunding reward, but definitely not acceptable for a commercial product. It’s good to hear they’ve stepped up their manufacturing process in this regard.

@iteerrex8166 4 года назад

No big deal, but what is a big deal is how badly it was cut.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

At 12:07 my commentary begins... I know that bee keepers are normally very patient people, thank you for keeping an open mind on all things related to bees and bee keeping... and Thank YOU for viewing. Follow our progress with Flow-Hives Here: www.fredsfinefowl.com/theflowhiveexperience.html

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Peter Erik Hi Peter, I had to pull your comment out of the "spam" list.. so apparently someone reported your post. I'm sure many people will click on your channel link here and may have some great pointers for you. Beekeeping is really about patience, careful observation and a sizable commitment to understanding what's going on without becoming a "helicopter" keeper. Our spring here has had some setbacks with colder weather (currently 24 deg. F.)... so the bee genetics are thoroughly being tested by a false early start. You may want to sub if you haven't, good or bad, I will share about the flowhive and my bees throughout 2016. I've found that many new keepers are extremely impatient and bombard me with questions about how long it takes to get honey. Well... you may not want to take off any honey, particularly in the first year with a new colony. You may even want to keep your flow frames off the hive and just allow the bees to build up first. I also recommend keeping at least two hives, this way you will be able to better see differences and note problems as well as productivity variances. I hope it all goes well for you Peter Erik... feel free to ask any questions you may have. Good luck! Enjoy the warm up, I know I will :)

@jimprjayp 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn Thank you for the information about when to take off honey. I'm new to the beekeeping scene and need those little reminders seasoned keepers forgot about long ago.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

You're very welcome... :)

@richard2mitchell 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn is this out now?

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Yes, a week ago, I placed it on my most productive bee colony... we're waiting for the first big nectar flow. Rain and cold have delayed things here.

@ArianeArsenault 8 лет назад

Thank you so much for your honest review! We have been looking at the flow hive since last year when they launched their campain and it does look very appealy to us. I have never had hives before and we would like one because we own land, garden and plant fruit trees. We also have our chickens and we love to show our kids where foid comes from. I beleive taking care of bees would be a wonderful learning experience, plus we could provide honey to our whole family.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Ariane Arsenault I think you are going to have a great time learning about and raising honey bees... you are probably in a very good area for them to thrive with plenty of forage. I hope there is a local bee keeper that is willing to serve as your mentor. I have lots of honey bee information on my main website FredsFineFowl.com which you may find helpful.

@ArianeArsenault 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn Thank you for your reply. Yes I do have a friend here who is a beekeeper and he will provide us with a queen and bees starter for my hive. I just ordered the flow hive. :-) We are so lucky to live on the Magdalen Islands where the bees have no diseases due to our geographic position. I can't wait to start reading my beekeeping book.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Sounds like a perfect opportunity and fantastic location. What a great bonus that is!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

UPDATE: my honey gees are actually chewing the upper access removable bar. They have rounded off the top edge of the cedar. I was giving a brief tour of my apiary and we could hear the chewing... video to follow.

@nadjawrona9884 7 лет назад

i thought that might happen :) waiting for the video... or is it up already? :)

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Nadja Wrona There have been several flow hive videos posted since this one, just visit my channel and see how the harvests went. Thanks for viewing and commenting!

@newsviewstoday5689 7 лет назад

are they hungry?

@khomsam4036 7 лет назад

khmer voakhmer

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

News & Views, no, they are just rearranging their domicile to suit their needs.

@Maebbie 8 лет назад

dude, you are pretty cool. This was some high quality video.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Thank you! What a great comment! :)

@mattanderson2053 5 лет назад

I think the flow hive is amazing!!! I was a foundation supporter in 2015 also and received my hive in 2016. Mine was made perfectly with all screws and components. It was a dream to assemble and and I rubbed tung oil into it. What an easy system and saves thousands of bees from being squashed and harvesting is fun, not a job. If your thinking of buying one just do it. I have no regrets and im on my second season using my flow. I even moved my hive so i can see it from the house because its beautiful to look at. Thank you flow team. Fred thanks for making the video 1.3 mil views ... Nice. subbed and thumbs up.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thanks for your comment Matt, since this video, I've been slowly converting all of my boxes to flowhives. You're absolutely right, less bee stress and no kills during honey removal. I'm glad to have taken the plunge and it's nice to know they are working well for you also. There are still plenty of flowhive haters and they remain a puzzle to me. Thanks for subbing and welcome to my channel!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

FlowHive Plastic Components.. are they SAFE? Here is a statement from FlowHive: "We share your concerns around plastics and have worked hard to find the very best food grade materials. The clear viewing ends of the frames are made from a virgin food grade copolyester. The manufactures have assured us that it's not only BPA-free, but it is not manufactured with bisphenol-S or any other bisphenol compounds. The manufactures also say that third-party labs have tested this material and the results have demonstrated that it is free of estrogenic and androgenic activity. The Center frame parts are made from a Virgin Food grade Polypropylene which is also free from any Bisphenol compounds and is widely accepted as one of the safest plastics for food contact. It has also been used for many years in beehives for both Brood and Honey combs. We will keep you informed if anything changes and we use any different materials."

@crunch9876 7 лет назад

Frederick Dunn why are so many people afraid of plastics but not afraid of wood and the chemicals a lot of it is treated with?

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

crunch9876 I can't answer that question... you do see many raised veggie gardens with treated lumber and old railroad ties, it's a puzzle.

@carbon1255 7 лет назад

But THUR KEMIKULS!!! People are silly.

@Anthony-bz2xs 7 лет назад

Shut it carbon 12 you are obviously elementally bias

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

That's funny ;)

@jasonmatranga7058 5 лет назад

I I like your real non-biased approach to what is good for the basics and what is good for the budget thank you so much for your information

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

You are very welcome and thank you for such a nice comment!

@aaentariq3286 5 лет назад

Thank you Mr Dunn, I found this very interesting and informative. I was also fascinated to see in another video that collecting each individual frame collects honey that can be a different colour to the adjacent individual frame. And that the taste of that honey collected can different for each individual frame. Thus I think collecting the flow in clean Mason jars from each individual frame is the best option I have ever seen. So much better than a plastic bucket that pools all the flows into one big bucket. Also I like that you really care about looking after the bees with an ethical and environmentally sustainable focus. This system appears to be less stressful for the bees and for the bee keeper. Bee keeping has entered the 21st century with this system. I have wanted to have a bee hive for ages but collecting the honey worried me. This system appears to address my concerns completely. Thank you very much for the information you shared.

@LouNormanII 8 лет назад

Great video! Thanks for taking the time! I learned something again from you Fred!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Lou Norman Thanks Lou... it's always great to have something new to learn and share about!

@mjsrtz1724 7 лет назад

obviously not the intended purpose of the video but the quiet and soft speaking is very relaxing. I find bees interesting too. It's kind of like Bob Ross. I find painting interesting and relaxing as well, paired with his soft speaking and it's very relaxing. maybe I'm just a weirdo.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

OK, this is becoming more and more common and it's an interesting aspect to my videos. There is a sleep deprivation group that has actually shared my videos to help people who can't sleep, to calm down and fall asleep. Now, I don't know if that's a good thing, that I'm putting people to sleep while trying to teach, but if it's helping people, I'm in. :) Thank you for your comment and you're the third person who has also made the Bob Ross comparison. That wet-on-wet method of painting was taught to me in 1983 by a guy named Bill Alexander... Bob Ross took up the brush after Bill and continued with his happy little trees. Have a GREAT day and thanks for your comment!

@VidKatMA1 4 года назад

@@FrederickDunn HA!! :D

@goodlifegreenscapeslandsca4425 7 лет назад

Awesome full product review! Cant wait to see updates of the FlowHive in action and your results!!! THANK YOU!

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Those results are already out and the results are posted here on RU-vid.

@blairwise3339 7 лет назад

great video and I must say the last 5 minutes of it were outstanding. I think the message is really important. Thank you so much.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Thank you for sharing and I'm glad you appreciate my opinions :)

@robertthanepohn2964 8 лет назад

It is nice to see a video reviewing the Flow system that is objective and solely observational. I donated into the campaign and am the owner of a Full Flow hive. I had to sand a couple of the box joints in my access panel so It wouldn't stick and had to enlargen the cutout for the viewing window. Other than that, all was well with my woodwork and the Red Cedar looks great after a few coats of Tung oil. I am new to beekeeping but have been preparing for a year now. I belong to my local Beekeepers Association and have attended this year's Beekeeping Clinic. I look forward to receiving my nuc at the end of March You are correct in stating that the system is pricey - virtually double the price of a typical hive. The advantage may be in the elimination of purchasing additional honey harvesting tools and equipment for a hobbyist. Capping tub, an extractor, a cap scraper or knife, a gated honey bucket with bucket strainers, etc. It is virtually a break-even proposition when considering those other, necessary items needed for traditional harvesting. I think an overall positive outcome is that many people that may not have ever considered beekeeping have now done so. It is a certainty that a fair portion will not have a good experience, or be good stewards. That is likely the case regardless of the hive :) BUT if the remaining majority of those newly introduced to beekeeping by way of the Flow hive succeed, everyone can benefit to some extent. Again, excellent, thorough video and I look forward to your next!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Bobby Thanepohn Thank you! I appreciate that you took the time to post such a comprehensive statement about the hive and hobby. Glad you have joined a keepers association... certainly some in that membership have strong opinions about the FlowHive... welcome to bee keeping!

@robertthanepohn2964 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn I've remained "in the closet" about the FlowHive.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Well... there certainly is a campaign of "shame" emitting from insecure old timers and young "know-it-all" keepers... there is a large quiet pool of the "wait-and-see" community... Samuel Clemens said once "a man with a new idea is a FOOL! until that idea succeeds"

@johnburns2510 4 года назад

Good informative video. As a Novice Beekeeper since 1979, I think part of beekeeping is the removal of honey, but a bigger responsibility, in my opinion, is inspecting the condition of the hive for internal problems. This device may make a lot of money for the people the produce them, but in the long run the Bees will decide if they want to live with this technology. Good Luck

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

Thanks John, it works great and I'm curious why you'd think people who have one wouldn't care about the bees nor do inspections of the interior frames?

@ianbell2288 8 лет назад

I love your filming style, really effective. Thanks

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Kevin Martin Thanks for that nice comment Kevin!

@AkshayKumar-ev5rx 7 лет назад

Fred. i just watched your Flow hive review and i love how you are impartial of brands and simple are addressing key benefits and issues. Please keep reviewing:)

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Thank you Akshay, very nice of you! There are three follow on videos already posted about this Flow-system. I do try to remain objective and open minded. I really appreciate your comment!

@cloudhidden1196 8 лет назад

Look forward to your videos on using this system, particularly how the bees interact with it. Thanks for investing your money in it to educate the rest of us. Initially, I have to say the cost is prohibitive for me and I'm not crazy about the plastic construction. Interesting idea though.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+cloudhidden As you already know.. I agree.. the cost is wackey doodle.. but then, I did buy it :) We'll see... I will also be keeping an eye on independent testing with the plastic components. Looks good so far though. Thanks for commenting!

@DELPHIIII 8 лет назад

"I will also BE KEEPING an eye.." I see what you did there Mr Dunn..

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

DELPHIIII :)

@michaelmcneil4168 8 лет назад

I like the quality of your video there is absolutely no sense in making a low quality one with the ability to replace the original for nothing. It is unbelievable that people pass their stuff off like the makers of these hives: "Any old crap will do it's only the internet!"

@gruntymcphereson6490 8 лет назад

I got my FlowHive box in Feb (2016), and did not have the issues that the author had with the box joints...they fit together, but were somewhat tight. I was sent the cedar wood version as a "reward" for ordering early. Where I did get into trouble was that the cedar was not as malleable as standard pine, and the tight box joints led to two nasty longitudinal splits when I was screwing it together. A mix of liquid wood and good old wood glue sealed this up satisfactorily. All other screws and pieces were in my kit (nothing missing) and fit together properly. I also experienced the issue with the telescoping cover impinging on the top wooden assembly of the FlowBox. I had to saw the side off to allow a good fit (quite easy since I use a styrofoam outer cover). This was acceptable to me.

@hischild8899 8 лет назад

+Grunty Mcphereson I read a lot on the Flow forum abut issues and watched videos. The latest one was just a week before mine arrived and the assembly guy on a videp advised using a low torch on the drill and drilling slowly so we did that..thank goodness we had no splits...

@416dl 4 года назад

So glad to have found your channel here on youtube, Mr Dunn. It's taken my sweetheart and I a couple of years to finally get our Flow Hive ready having had to put it aside for a year due to circumstances beyond our control, but we pick up our bees in a week or so. Huzzah! Thanks for your insights. Looking forward to the kind of wisdom that your years of experience affords and hope to pass it on. Cheerio.

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

Welcome aboard! And I'm so glad you are making progress with your bees and hive.

@teebear3036 5 лет назад

I don't know how I ended up here but I'm glad I did. I love the way you speak, you seem like a really honest person.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you Tee! And welcome to my channel :)

@AmitYadav-rr7up 5 лет назад

Great Explanation of Patented Technology, I enjoyed your videos. Thanks a lot.

@kayefainges5167 5 лет назад

I’m glad the quality control now seems a lot better - based on watching your later videos. We have some flow hives here in Australia from the original campaign. I love and am convinced that with proper maintenance etc they are great however, the ‘significant other’beekeeper Has yet to be convinced

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

I can say that I absolutely LOVE every single one I've received after that first video. near perfect!

@DragosDomnara 7 лет назад

I'm just a young 16 year old who wants now to have a FlowHive due to how easy it is and in the future to pollinate my whole garden! I've always been interested in bees but thought it took to long and would hurt your back. Now I can finally fulfill my curiosity in the future! Now I'll need to learn how to keep bees in cold canadian winters, thanks for the video!

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Hi Jesse, I hope your plans turn out well! You are the first sixteen year old who has referred to himself as "just a young 16-year-old" most teens around think of themselves as grown. You seem like a very modest individual. Wishing you well with your future bees!

@lordofnecromancy6302 5 лет назад

My father is a bee keeper. He gave me enough honey to make 8 Gallons of mead, and now I'm hooked. I'm hoping to get some hives this year so I can start learning more about these graceful creatures and making more mead to share with family and friends!

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

I do love Mead, but where I live, the RAW honey is worth more than the Mead produced, so I don't know how they are making any money at that. You will certainly enjoy making your own I'm sure!

@womsterr 8 лет назад

For 800 bucks it should have come with TWO KEYS

@CJT3X 7 лет назад

What would the benefit of two keys be? As far as I can tell you can use the same key to open multiple frames and get honey from them during the same session.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Hi Charles, you can use one or two keys, I like to use two just because it's easier to break the seals with two hands and with two inserted, the downward force is concentrated on the outside edges of the moving parts rather than the center where you see quite a bit of material flexing down as you overcome the wax and propolis sealing that's occurred. But you can indeed just work with one of course.

@CJT3X 7 лет назад

Frederick Dunn ah, I see. that makes sense to get better distributed force.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Charles Thompson III I try to make sense sometimes :)

@lindafoofoo 6 лет назад

I keep one bee hive mainly for pollination. I have been able to draw off excess honey(about 26 lbs.) once in 7 years. Flow Hive is just not an option for me at a cost of $600.

@darkfranky119933 8 лет назад

I know nothing about this, and i got here by pure chance, i watched the whole thing and suscribed, why? just curiosity, it never hurts to learn something new, great vídeo btw

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Franky Kekhan Reyes I'm glad you happened along and thanks for commenting!

@yesenia3816 Год назад

I appreciate this video. I've been wanting to get into beekeeping as part of my backyard homestead for awhile. You've given me more to think about before I invest in this endeavor.

@cxyros_3025 5 лет назад

Wow! This is extremely fascinating! Great job! I love the way you promoted your advertisement too!

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you so much, I really appreciate it.

@apismellifera1000 8 лет назад

I have been a beekeeper for a long time since 1995 and when I first saw the Flow Hive and I was very curious about the Flow Hive and I think it is a very neat and interesting concept.

@thehiveandthehoneybee9547 8 лет назад

+Michael Ellestad I'm with you Michael... interesting and will have its place, looking forward to experimenting with it.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Michael Ellestad That's a healthy outlook Michael, I hope your honey bees are doing well!

@apismellifera1000 8 лет назад

+The Hive and the Honey Bee What makes me upset is that when the first posts about the Flow Hive began showing up on the various beekeeping Facebook forums I post on all I saw was negative hate posts about the hive and it got to the point where the admins put up a warning post to stop or get banned and that if any more Flow Hive posts were made that they would be banned and the posts removed. I myself was curious and was like Hmmmm... how does this thing work. It seems like when something new comes out people are ready to shoot it down and like they say don't knock it unless you try it first.

@apismellifera1000 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn They are good but lost two hives one from starvation and the other one of my favorite hives do a sterile queen. Visit my channel I got pots of bee keeping and I love top bar hives and several and will be converting my vertical Langstroth hives into horizontal hives

@dr.s.p. 5 лет назад

Lovely presentation. It was nice to see an open viewpoint from a seasoned beekeeper but I was quite shocked at the shoddy workmanship for such an expensive piece of equipment and hope that they have got better over the years. I thought it was all developed in Australia, where quality control is usually very good, but this appeared to be made in the US. I’m not at all surprised at the Chinese copies; as they copy everything from the west and people buy it all! There’s no legislation and enforcement, so it’s while there’s a buyer they will continue to make. Often it’s identical to the genuine product as many genuine articles are often made there anyway. It’s just the difference of funny English being a giveaway and quality is definitely a problem. Nice video and food for thought.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

The U.S. Company that they contracted to do this woodwork is now out of business. Flow - has taken over the manufacturing of the wood components and there have been no fit and finish problems since. I was one of the unfortunate few that received some of the early flawed workmanship.

@flowerchild777 5 лет назад

@@FrederickDunn You did say they would continue to improve. I'm glad you were right👍

@rsherbon 8 лет назад

Informative as always Fred! Thank you and can't wait to see the follow up video when your girls start working in the spring!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+rsherbon Thank you so much! My bee yard is still in "winter mode" we were at 8 deg. F this morning... so we're off to a slow 2016 season.

@exvcator 8 лет назад

My experience with a Flowhive so far: I was actually impressed with the quality of the Flowhive when it arrived - I had none of the quality issues that you and others have reported, and no ‘wood work’ was needed to make things fit. All the parts were there, wood was fine - no splits or too many knots, and the instructions were very clear. I think mine was manufactured and shipped from Australia - I don’t know whether that makes a difference. What has taken me by surprise though is the negativity from experienced beekeepers against Flowhive. Having finally ‘come out’ in my bee group, I’ve heard 101 reasons why Flowhive is bad thing, albeit none of the ‘experts’ have actually got, or even seen, a Flowhive for real. I’ve now got a sense of what it must have been like for Mr Benz, when traditionalists were claiming the cows would stop milking, and horses would bolt at the sight of the first vehicle powered by a 0.8hp internal combustion engine. I bought a Flowhive, not because I want to make a quick buck, in fact I’m not particularly passionate about eating honey, but I bought a Flowhive because I was interested in bees and their positive impact on the environment, and I am concerned at the reports of a declining bee population. Making the extraction easier, less invasive, definitely ‘floats my boat’. Time will tell, but I haven’t yet found a reason NOT to buy a second Flowhive. I look forward to hearing about your experiences with the Flowhive when the ladies start doing their work.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+exvcator Thanks for your well-reasoned post here. You're right, it's peculiar for so many to move strongly against something in "theory" without a practical test. I test everything I can get my hands on, and getting this unit was important to me, I just had to know about. When a keeper opens a video slamming a company's legal right to "trade mark" the name Flow... I have to wonder what that has to do with bees? It also shows clearly, the animosity "some keepers" have towards anything new and they immediately lose my respect. I am continually on the learn and if I don't' have an "informed opinion" then I wouldn't feel comfortable sharing about it, good or bad. We need more people out there like you! Thanks again for sharing and I wish you well with your bees.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

At 3:45 you can tell the technical drawings were done in Australia... notice.. ALL of the threads are LEFT handed... :)

@ralfus37 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn Your thoughts on this--Should not the drained sections be rotated to the outer locations so the bees are loading the exterior sections which are not ready to harvest? Or do the bees fill the exterior frames first?

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Bees will fill and cap the center frames, then work their way out and may not even fill or cap the outer frames at all. It's all yet to be seen. I don't plan to rotate any frames as I want to observe how the bees handle it as is.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

they eventually fill them all, so no rotation is necessary. Thanks for that question though. They have worked them by filling from the center out and from the top of the frames down. Sorry I didn't see this comment before now. We now have three FlowSupers on and they are all filling in the same order.

@lancer525 7 лет назад

Mr. Dunn: Thanks for your exceptionally informative and detailed posts here. I'm rather disgusted at the moment, because you seem to be the only one reporting actual results, while almost all of the other keeper videos I have seen are bashing the FlowHive system. As in, "it only produces weak, watery nectar and not real honey." "all the cells don't get capped and this isn't a real hive, it's only a toy", "this cheap foreign thing isn't for real beekeepers, and it will only hurt bees and beekeeping" and my personal favorite, "bees always cap from the edges inward, and from the outside frames toward the center" which is in direct contravention to your documented experiences. Please keep up the good work, and keep showing your empirical, documented evidence. There are a lot of people out there who dislike FlowHives intensely, and are posting drivel to undermine it.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

lancer525 Hi Lancer, thank you for your post. There among long time beekeepers, those who reject almost anything new before even opening themselves to the "idea" of new innovation. That's unfortunate, because it's a form of intellectual bullying. "Real beekeepers wouldn't give it a second look", such a peculiar stance/comment, when as beekeepers, I would hope that we all have our minds open to change and are personally secure enough to allow something new to even be considered in a reasonable and methodical way. I do a fair amount of public speaking in front of true honey bee experts. I "read" the group as I begin my presentations and can see the resignation in the faces of many old and new keepers. They cross their arms and whisper to one another as I speak. While those who are what I consider secure in their position as apiary managers, lean in and ask many questions that allow me to answer what "some" don't want addressed. Why don't they want their questions answered? Because their early statements about honey comb harmonics, bees forgetting how to draw come, watery honey, sanctuary for parasites, kills bees in the cells, starvation because they won't know the honey is gone.. and on and on it goes, are dismantled by my answers. The flowhive is the most polarizing issue with the old time keepers that I've ever been involved with. We're all learning, IF our eyes remain open and our understanding is proven out through practical testing and observation. Thanks for your comment, I enjoy the discussions.

@RaySarasin 4 года назад

For me its down to price, I can get 10 frame boxes for $17.00 each frames for $30.00 (10 frames) bottom for $20.00 inner cover for $15.00 tops for $26.00 Again down to price Nukes here are $250.00 Flow hives I saw here were a lot more in price. I do enjoy you opion on many things, I am 60 and disabled so I must get the best bang for my dollar. Every spare cent goes into bee supplies. I must shop wise as I am growing to 30 hives. Next spring at 7 hives, so I can split these 7 as needed and grow this way only buying boxes and frames as I need them.

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

Being frugal is definitely wise. These hives are definitely for folks who are not pinching their pennies and why I made that investment comparison at the end. I hope you can manage for many years to come Ray!

@MajimeTV 4 года назад

you can also fund your flow hive purchase by selling honey the old fashioned way

@barneydtr 8 лет назад

Nice video, Frederick. It will be interesting to see how these hives work out. I will look forward to your future videos.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Dean t r Thanks, I hope this will be a year of discovery!

@Losttoanyreason 5 лет назад

Thank you Fredrick, took 5 different videos, from 5 different people, to finally find one , yours, that shows me what goes on in the comb when one turns the key to start the honey flowing. I don't know why it was such a hard concept for those other people making videos to understand people might actually want to know exactly what is happening in the comb when one turns the keys. How it does what it does. Have a good evening and thanks again.

@FrederickDunn 7 месяцев назад

I'm so glad it was helpful, thanks for commenting and I'm sorry to take so long to respond.

@2coryman 8 лет назад

I believe the plastic is best that way for many reasons, one of them is durability

@ABEL-cd2sp 8 лет назад

+2coryman It's also recycled, it takes way less time to make it and of course, with this design you never have to replace it and the bees can keep working in a safe environment and none will die when you extract the honey, which is awesome in my opinion

@2coryman 8 лет назад

+TheSavageMan Agree

@its_justJohn 8 лет назад

Thanks for the vid. My dove tails were also misaligned or VERY tight. Chiseled some. The part that you remove to view and harvest need some chiseling also... When I first put the super together, I had to hammer it back off to file down before I put knobs on.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+John Geiger wow... I would hate to be the U.S. company that got this wood product construction/fabrication contract... this is a very frequent complaint. There is just one location where this is being done and it's Lancaster, PA. The popular response from that facility is "we manufacture tens of thousands and less than 2% have any problem at all"... It would seem like an easy task to test fit or check equipment tolerances before things get packed and shipped. I guess we are among the "2%" I also think that those who get mis-fit components will be the ones most likely to talk about it. :) People should never be too busy to do things right.

@thomasjent1431 8 лет назад

Thank you for your video review. I'm new to beekeeping. I'm in it mainly to help the bee's and help pollinate. I'm blessed to be learning/getting help from an experienced beekeeper friend that is successful with 40+ hives in my area (upstate NY). Last year I gave him two queens and a very large hive that needed to be rescued. On bee stands using (2 or more) insulated 10 frame brooder boxes, year round, per hive, adapted to have my FlowHive 7 frame supers, on a few of my hives closer to the house, which will only be on a hive for a few months during the summer. My experience putting my own "FlowHive kits together was that thankfully everything fit very nicely. (Just received the first ones a week ago) They turned out very nice. There were no missing screws, hardware or anything and the quality of the cuts on mine lined up perfectly. The (4) 3/8 #6 panhead screws that you mentioned being too short for the knobs, I believe are to hold the observation window in. I used 5 of the (7) 3/4" #6 countersink head screws provided, for the 5 knobs and the other two were used to hold the ends of the metal bottom strip. Thank you in advance for your updates too (Alert to counterfeit flow hives). Keep up the great videos Mr. Dunn!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Thomas Jent I'm so glad your components fit nicely... that is definitely the most common experience. I'm just one of the percentage that didn't have that experience. Enjoy your system!

@GregWillis 8 лет назад

Awesome production quality and photography. I didn't find the pace too slow either. Very clear, unbiased commentary. You definitely had your beekeeper's chill going on; you didn't need to smoke your audience even once.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Greg Willis Ha ha Greg.. I like the "smoke the audience" line :) I appreciate the comment... thanks a lot!

@DarthMorius 7 лет назад

Very interesting, great video.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Thank you

@ArianeArsenault 8 лет назад

I want to buy a good beekeeping book before I buy any hive. Would you recommend anything? I'm very visual I need to see and read before jumping into action. :-)

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Ariane Arsenault Hi Arian! I recommend this book from Amazon: www.amazon.com/Practical-Beekeeper-Beginning-Beekeeping-Naturally/dp/1614760616/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1458263982&sr=8-4&keywords=beginning+with+bees

@ArianeArsenault 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn Thank you so much! :-)

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

You're very welcome!

@bibbabibba1975 6 лет назад

You're going to need more than a book

@wearefreesd3305 6 лет назад

Eric Kelly 🤦🏻‍♂️

@KBBAKTHA 4 года назад

Excellent informative unbiased view. Looking forward for your future videos on FLOW after you put them to production. Thanks for sharing this video

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

This is my fourth year with them and they are doing extremely well. Thank you for watching.

@alberttylermccain8614 4 года назад

Thank You 🙏 Good Advice. It’s so great that you said you’re not doing it for the bees in to help support bees shouldn’t do it I’m gonna get one of these and try it

@PsychoticEwok 5 лет назад

Great video I've been looking into this hive I'd like to keep bee's one thing I would say is the manufacturing looks a lot better now than when you made your video ☺️ they laser cut the boxes now ☺️ Just wanted to add very valid point at the end of your video I want to keep bee's more because I find them fascinating and we have a real bee problem where I live a lot of "wild" hives are destroyed with construction and what not 😟 there aren't really any laws that protect bee's here

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

You are absolutely right, they have long since improved the cut quality and the company that manufactured the wooden ware in this video is now out of business...

@hhardwick3 4 года назад

I keep seeing people complaining about the cost of a Flow hive. 1st if you’ve seen Fred’s other videos (all great BTW) you can watch him get a full gallon of honey from just two frames on his second Flow fall harvest. I don’t use a gallon of honey in a whole year for my family of 4, so any extra gets sold, and local prices range are around $5-7 for a half-pint jar of local honey. You do the math- this will pay for itself in no time at all. Also as Fred notes, you can have a Flow super and NOT a full Flow hive system, which should make this more affordable. I am considering not adding steer this year and replacing their feed pasture with bee feed - hobby-level cows cost money. Hobby bees can MAKE you money with very little effort using this method.

@28jbooth 5 лет назад

I just assembled a Flow 2 hive and it fit together very well it looks much better than the first unit that you reviewed

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Absolutely, the entire FlowHive 2 lineup is flawless and is laser cut so none of the milling issued continued. No complaints after this original super.

@coreyk67 8 лет назад

Thanks for sharing and I look forward to seeing the results. I have 8 hives and i'm in my 3rd season. Many ups and downs in the learning process but it is by far the most fascinating hobby I have... heck even my wife approves! My largest fear would be the small hive beetle. I lost a hive in a matter of days.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Corey Kelly Thanks for sharing Corey... that's extremely unfortunate that the small hive beetle moved so aggressively on your colony. I have been very fortunate that I've not had to deal with that particular invader.

@rommelfcc 7 лет назад

700 usd is a lot to pay. the wood looks soft like pine, I hope it lasts... also it's a box join, not a dove tail. but a random kit should be assembled & disassembled daily for QA... And make complants for good feedback like this video, other wise they won't improve. and their business could fail... thanks for the upload, hope you sent it to them.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Agreed, they are box joints, sorry about that. Yes, I have shared this video with them and the company that was given the woodenware contract. They said "it happens to only about 1% of the customers" so they think that's acceptable. The wood is actually cedar and yes, very soft. Thanks for commenting!

@hoplite46 7 лет назад

I am sure they have sorted the quality control problems now

@qad417 5 лет назад

yes Ive seen some videos and now they cut beehive with laser cutter

@FrederickDunn 4 месяца назад

Yes, they cancelled the contract with this manufacturer and now do their own laser cutting. The quality control just wasn't there with this facility.

@ecobeekeeper 5 лет назад

Thanks Fred! You produced a much needed sane and intelligent review of the Flow Hive. Great statement about beekeeping at the end.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you Raymond, I appreciate that.

@JCsBees 8 лет назад

I have never been a big fan of the flow hive but you sure did a great job breaking it down. Thanks and keep up the good work!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Jason “Beeman” Chrisman Thank you Jason... just trying to stay in touch with the modern practices of bee keeping. I appreciate your comment!

@RoyMcAvoy 4 года назад

The internet is scary. I'm just thinking about this hive system but I forgot the name and suddenly, this video appears on my recommend list.

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

Premonition... fuels RU-vid

@brucelonsdale8422 8 лет назад

Thanks great video, I am Australian and the FlowHive is out of my reach at approx $800AUD, they may have had their computer program in backwards to produce those left hand threads!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Bruce Lonsdale Wow.. small world! Ya, I thought that was funny with the threads... does water really drain counter clockwise down there also? :) thanks for commenting.. yes, it's expensive to be sure...

@brucelonsdale8422 8 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn yep the drains do run CCW, and our light bulbs don't omit light they suck dark, thus creating light, lol

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

ha ha...

@nourabaszanowski4208 6 лет назад

Hey Bruce, there is some on Ebay for AUD $570. Still expensive, but same function.

@rachelhowe784 5 лет назад

Thank you for the neutral and comprehensive video on the flow hive. I am a novice beekeeper and need to decide soon whether to purchase a traditional "super" or a flow hive and this video was extremely helpful.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you, I'm so glad you found it helpful. Since this video was posted, I've converted almost all of my hives to flowhives and we no longer do traditional honey extractions. I feel that if they aren't strong and productive enough to fill a flow super, then they shouldn't have their honey removed at all until they are. Thanks for taking time to watch and comment :)

@Nexus4546 4 года назад

Thank you very much for your clear and professional review. I enjoyed it and learned what I needed to know.

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

You are welcome!

@danielurban560 8 лет назад

Mr. Dunn, thank you for making this video. I am a novice beekeeper and have some experience. I have already placed an order for the complete flow hive (brood box, flow frames, base, roof, etc) and I believe this will bee interesting to experiment with. I'm a little concerned about the woodworking of the hive and whether or not it will come with all the pieces, and I believe this not working completely with all the parts for the amount of money we have put into the system. One thing I think i missed from your video is that you should cover the jar/container you are draining the honey into to prevent bees getting into the honey. Also, I believe you are an excellent narrator. Thank you for your honest review of this hive.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Daniel Urban Hi Daniel! What a nice compliment... according to the contractor for the wooden ware here in PA, less than 2% of their wood products are having problems, so sounds like they are tightening the screws on their QA people... I didn't mention the jar, nor the need for a shelf/support while draining off the honey, as there will be lots of innovation in that regard yet to come. Yes, you will absolutely want to deter honey bees from zipping right into the honey. I have my own ideas but am reserving those for my future demonstrations. I am also toying with the idea of a Honey Shack that would allow me to draw and "tilt"entire colonies on runners into a protected space with an adjustable shroud that would eliminate the need to protect honey while draining. It would be an innovation purely for entertainment value on my part. I have a tendency to overdo it.

@hawkdriver0171 8 лет назад

Quality Control?? Lost concept on the Oregon Production Plant! 1. Brood Box 'Box Joints' cut wrong. 2. Pre-Drilled Holes a fraction too small. 3. All three 'Latches' were cut wrong. 4. Roof Support frame had many large knots and weak wood grain. You get a D- Oregon workers!! The Flow-Hive business end, manufactured and shipped from Australia was exactly perfect. You get an A+ So, when your Hive arrives and it's time to assemble, in addition to the 'Tools' listed in the instruction, you'll need a Hand Drill, Wood Glue, Wood Filler, Bench Sander, Chisel or Knife and File. I was able to easily fix the errors, but I'm set up for wood working and made new components to replace the poor quality items. End result is a beautiful Bee Hive!

@masterbeekeeper30years18 7 лет назад

Is that true? They list all of those tools and say you need them for assembly? That's depressing.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Wow, What do we know about the wood-shops that are given these contracts for producing the wood components? The one in the video was made in Lancaster, PA. Sounds like your description is of the complete FlowHive and it's not a great story. Would love to know more about the shop/business/factory where they are being made. People in manufacturing so often complain about their jobs going elsewhere, but if what you're writing about is true, then how can they expect to receive quality contracts? It's a puzzle. Thank you for sharing your experience.

@FreshCoffeeParts 6 лет назад

A very good and objective analysis of this plastic frame system. Your statement about get rich quick is excellent as bee-keeping should not be just a commercial endeavour.

@FrederickDunn 6 лет назад

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your comment!

@steel1583 8 лет назад

And I REALLY appreciate your clarification about the meaning of being a bee keeper, against the potential "capitalization" of bees for the sole purpose of money, making the bees and the environment weaker.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+steel1583 Thanks... it's a hard message to get out there apparently...

@HensleyDon 7 лет назад

This is disappointing to see... I worked in the furniture industry for ~55 years as well as on the farm. Someone needs a serious talking to about their work ethic! I've always gone by the saying that, "If you have a Reason, you'll never need an Excuse." Without getting long-winded about it, there is no good reason for sending out a product with dovetails 3/32" off. You shouldn't have to take a brand new product out of the box and start out by making the cuts fit and finding suitable replacements for missing parts. As previews go, this is not good advertising for a new product. I hope the bees are happy with it.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

The Australian components were perfect, you're correct, an American woodworking factory had a real chance to shine and didn't. I was told by their representative that "only 1-5%" of their products were like this and they consider that to be more than acceptable. They are now being made in Oregon and those products are flawless so far.

@HensleyDon 7 лет назад

I just noticed I had a reply from someone that consisted of a one-liner that was basically a sarcastic correction of dovetail vs finger joint in light of my "claimed" ~55 years of experience. Apparently the user has come and gone, but I just wanted to say that I learned more over the years than just woodworking. Imo, agreeing with your frustration at how things fitted was more important than nit-picking terms. The last 20-25 years of work before retirement/disability were spent dealing with 20 & 30 somethings with attitudes that were exponentially greater than their work ethic. I'm glad you found someplace that can still find employees that do more than just put in their time.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Don Hensley No problem Don, you have a healthy attitude. It's just part of RU-vid that we have to adjust to a wide variety of opinions and attitudes. :)

@HensleyDon 7 лет назад

+Frederick Dunn Yeah, I've reworked a lot of famous canards over the years and one of mine I've been seeing pop up now and then on the web is, "The thing about opinions is, every *sshole seems to have one..." [Grin] If you've lived long enough to have trained workers you'll be responsible for later on, you learn to take care of what's important at the moment and add to it as needed. Sometimes it is of no value to make a point of showing that you know words someone else doesn't. Feeding one's own ego doesn't necessarily accomplish anything productive. Btw, honeybees have had a special place in my heart since my teeth all started to die. Pure honey and a bit of cinnamon can be put straight into a bad tooth and it takes down the inflammation, fights the infection and lessens the pain. Just don't get honey in the dollar aisle without reading the label. That artificial crap is nothing but high fructose corn syrup and food coloring. You would *NOT* want to put that on an abscessed tooth!!

@joepalooka2145 5 лет назад

I agree totally. I looked at their website and there's videos which show them using CNC machines for cutting parts. Anyone familiar with CNC cut parts knows that you can't just stick them in a box, because they aren't always perfect. Chinese copies will definitely be way out.

@RVLady 7 лет назад

This was really interesting. I'm a beekeeper wanna bee! I have been looking at the Flow Hive system and was excited to watch your comprehensive video on the good and the bad. I will be investing in a Flow Hive as my initial foray into beekeeping and want to be certain the bees are not harmed in any way. Have you found this system to be protective of bee health? With all the research I've been doing on the hive, I've yet to see/read/hear anyone remark as to the safety/health of the bee colony using the Flow system. Which makes me assume there is no difference or the difference is not measurable. Your thoughts/experience? Thank for you posting this video.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Hi and thank you for commenting. Regarding honey bee health, I can find no aspect to the flowhive system or flow-frames that would prove detrimental to honey bees. As with many honey bee housing alternatives, the sustainable health of the bees themselves rests squarely on the shoulders of the person who manages them. In my experience there is also no physical harm to bee workers when the system is activated (cells opening or closing). You can see my extraction video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wh6PzdumZTo.html Many people are going to bring up concerns regarding the plastic components. I can also find no evidence of plastic/toxic material in the honey itself after having been taken from the flowframes. I wish you the very best of luck with your future bees.

@christopherlocatell4470 2 года назад

Fred, I just had the opportunity to inspect one of your Flow Hive. I was very impressed with the craftsmanship, how cool it can be cut with a laser and be so precise! You will be seeing my order after the first of the year.

@FrederickDunn 2 года назад

Yes, after they changed to the laser cutting, everything fits perfectly. They continue to work extremely well.

@animalyze7120 5 лет назад

Great work and great video. Very informative.

@rachelciel3330 4 года назад

18:08 uncapping the cells to reset.

@marciahall2841 5 лет назад

I have a flow hive over an 8 frame brood box. My bees filled the brood box quickly and since I am in the southern Midwest, I put on my flow hive with a queen excluder adding burr comb between the middle frames. They took right off and started working but then they swarmed and only a few bees now are in the flow hive. Any suggestions?

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

HI Marcia, since having made this video, I have several Flow-Hives and I usually let them build up the deep brood box and then at least one medium super before putting the Flow-super on. This works well and leaves them with plenty of room for expansion. A swarm isn't always a terrible thing, you should still have replacement queens getting ready to hatch and hopefully the departing queen left you with some open brood as well a capped resources ready to hatch out and help. I have a flowhive playlist on my channel if you're at all interested in watching more of how I manage them? Thanks for watching and commenting.

@DocScience2 3 года назад

= @@FrederickDunn = I was curious why no one mentioned about putting in the queen excluder, so I searched the replies here and found this comment. . . .Thankyou for the reply.

@andreag9394 8 лет назад

Thank you. This was a wonderful video. I do agree, do it for the right reasons. I do have a scare about being stung! I keep trying to learn for my near future how to go about this in the best way. My interest isn't for a money profit. Just to support them and work within nature. I help them, they help me/us. They'll be doing so much more then me to help this planet! Love the idea of the indoor bee hut!

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Thanks Andrea, I wish you success with your bees... Bee Cottages aka Honey Shacks have lots of advantages.

@MsOlga1956 7 лет назад

Thank you, for the information on this flow hive, it really help me understand what I needed to learn.

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

You're very welcome Olga! Thank you for commenting.

@franciscote6203 4 года назад

Hi Fred! So after 3 years using it, is the FLOW working good for you? I am thinking to buy one...

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

It's working great and I am eventually converting all of my hives to at least make use of the flow supers. My greatest honey gains were from the flow supers. It takes almost two good years of honey sales to pay for a flow hive. One flowhive 2 this year produced over 10 gallons of honey - at $20/quart that's $800 in sales from one hive. So this was an exceptional year and all of the hives did not perform that well, but that's one hive that more than paid for itself in one year. The original in this video is still working but I'm retiring it this winter to use as a demonstration model for my lextures.

@sheilasugar5269 5 лет назад

Interesting. Almost like buying from Ikea for bees

@DonksGrooves 8 лет назад

Although my complete flow hive did cost twice what a traditional hive would cost, I also believe I got a good deal. Yes, I could probably buy a complete set, and an additional hive for what I paid I would also have to buy additional equipment for extraction from the comb and spend considerably more time harvesting and processing. For a Newbee like myself who doesn't know how far down the rabbit hole I want to go, how much time I can comfortably invest, and who is looking for a reasonable comfort level while learning the promise of this product as marketed is exactly what I needed to take the plunge.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+DonksGrooves That's interesting... and you are one of the examples of why the flow hive has a plus side, getting people interested in Honey Bees. There are Australian Agriculture scientists that are concerned that new keepers will "start" and then quickly lose interest and then abandon the colony to disease and neglect. I hope you will be successful.

@lilypadjane 6 лет назад

youre videos are so relaxing and nice to watch, i love bees and really want to keep them in the future, please make more videos youre brillant.

@FrederickDunn 6 лет назад

Thank you so much LilyPad, my honey bee playlist is already pretty long :) BUT, I'll keep making them just that same. I appreciate that you took the time to comment!

@rockeyrocket1224 5 лет назад

(In Tony Montana accent) First you get the bees, then you make the mead, then you get the women!

@joesomone3977 7 лет назад

Love bees and how much they help environment. Horrified that they are endangered. Can't do anything since I'm allergic

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

the honey bee isn't currently endangered, there are native bumble bees that are.

@dogphlap6749 6 лет назад

+joe somone Do Google search on Stingless bees. There are RU-vid videos too.

@dvan6905 8 лет назад

Thank you Mr. Dunn for a balanced review of the FlowHive. Sad that yours is the exception. I am awaiting delivery of my complete hive and have seen numerous reports of quality control issues with the recent wood production. In other words, parts do not fit together as cleanly as one would wish. Hopefully the FlowHive folks will address this quality problem quickly. One small quibble on your financial analysis. While in general, I agree that the FlowHives are quite expensive, it is only fair to factor in the costs of traditional harvesting equipment and time. If one considers the cost of the equipment to harvest the honey from the comb, the space required, and of course personal time, the FlowHive begins to look a little more reasonable. While still expensive, the price of the harvesting convenience of the FlowHive is worth it to many people.

@dohanazo5090 6 лет назад

I am from Sudan and I love natural honey, which has become very rare. I wanted to try this in my backyard. Thank you for this sincere advice.

@FrederickDunn 6 лет назад

Thank you Bysha, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

@arum236 8 лет назад

FYI. Not Dovetail joints, they are finger joints.

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

ok thank you... box joints

@arum236 8 лет назад

Any of designated alternate names will suffice. On a side note: I have been truly disappointed in the build quality of the Flow hive. Unforgivable high markup. I myself run a wood shop & construct my own beekeeping boxes for my local municipality. I run a tight ship in the shop and produce only the finest of quality products for sale. There is no excuse for poor craftsmanship. Nice review btw. I absolutely loved your video titled - Honey Bees preparing to SWARM swarm interrupted, swarm cells, drones> It is currently my favorite bee video on youtube

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

Andrzej Ruminski Thank you !

@MyKoko333 5 лет назад

Those joints are box/finger joints not dovetail joints. Dovetails are angled like an actually dovetail, Hence the name dovetail.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

You are absolutely correct Lane, thanks so much!

@florinandreirus3682 5 лет назад

I watch every second,it's so fun to watch and learn about bees and the new technology too.I start to love and become interest in bees and honey when i see this tippe of technology, and want to make for self-consuming not for money, but i didn't know anything about bees,after i find this technology and searching youtube i find you, and i can say your the best.If you can make more videos about bees will be osome i dind search yet your entire videos but i hope you have manny video like this,and cheers and love from Romania.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you and yes, I have posted over 100 videos about honey bees.

@acarcalledmercedes4750 7 лет назад

I like your review , it was very honest and blatant, Good luck fella , I will watch the rest of your videos cheers

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Thank you. I'm glad you're going to watch the follow up videos also, pretty interesting results to be sure.

@haveagoodday4451 7 лет назад

I'm on the educated side of youtube again.

@MarcellaSmithVegan 4 года назад

I think the hives look wonderful, but the price is Outrageous, I know they want to make alot of money for their coool idea, but they are not helping the bee keepers, new or old or the bees on our planet by charging close to $900 for just one hive setup. OMG. If that was the price for say 3 of the hives, I would have them right now, and so many others would too.

@FrederickDunn 4 года назад

I would definitely have to say that the price is the number one reason that most people don't test out the flowhives. Mine take an average of two years to pay for themselves. Where I reside it's $20/quart for honey and we had one FlowSuper produce 10 gallons this year, which is highly unusual. Normally you're getting two draw offs per hive and that's an average of 6 gallons/hive $480 before other costs are factored in. It's not a good economical move.

@peterj.a.7902 5 лет назад

Wow, I watched another video of u extracting honey from flow hive & I asked about costs, construction, assembly, & u answered those questions here. Someone at manufacturing didn't do their measurements right for the dovetails. So not all flow hives may not have that mistake. Hopefully they get their measurements corrected. But from watching ur video, easily corrected. Also they shorted u on screws & the right screws; so u'll need ur own supply of extra screws. Tools, come all in one package. Otherwise this is a great concept, the flow hive, the interior components r well constructed. I like how u voiced how if someone goes into beekeeping, u should for environmental purposes, not for any moneymaking, & if u don't like getting stung, to quit now lol. I think that comes with the obvious, that ur gonna get stung as a beekeeper, but I like that u put that info out. Ur very informative. We need more people like u in the world. Keep up the good work. God Bless You!

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Hi Peter, I was one of the few who did get a kit that was just "off" and it was a tad frustrating! BUT, they have long since corrected their problems and changed State-Side manufacturers so all is good now. All the flowhives I've purchased since arrived in fine shape with no hickups. Too bad this company had a chance to shine there in Lancaster, but didn't pay close enough attention to tool calibration. This year, they closed their doors for good. All of the new boxes are laser cut and very precise. Price has not gone down at all. Thank you so much for your nice comment :) I am really enjoying the flow-method of honey extraction.

@pathowlett4332 5 лет назад

Outstanding video Frederick - really appreciate your open minded review and how you present information. Subscribed.

@FrederickDunn 5 лет назад

Thank you Pat and welcome to my channel! :)

@artconnolly9519 8 лет назад

box joints or finger joints not dovetails

@FrederickDunn 8 лет назад

+Art Connolly Thanks Art, you are absolutely correct. Box Joints, I mentioned that in the description.

@pandoraspocks6812 7 лет назад

Not at all impressed with the sloppy workmanship with the dovetails and the screws- I hope the manufacturer has since rectified any other kits being sent out like yours was.

@FrederickDunn 4 месяца назад

The company that was contracted to do the woodwork was unapologetic and said their fails were statistically acceptable. They are now out of business, and the Flow Company does all of their own cutting now with lasers.

@886014 6 лет назад

Thank you very much for this review and information, you did an excellent job with the video. I've been interested in bees for many years and think they are amazing creatures, but it's always been the physical extraction of the honey that has dissuaded me from pursuing it. I heard about this system recently and it seemed to overcome the main concern I had (ie a centrifugal extractor is yet another piece of equipment I need to find somewhere to store) but was a little taken back by the cost. The quality control issues you mentioned are simply unacceptable at that price point and I hope they addressed this issue.

@FrederickDunn 6 лет назад

HI Pete, they have indeed changed where and how their wood is being cut, all of the subsequent systems I purchased from Flow have been perfect. This is the only one that I had problems with. Thanks for watching and commenting! Glad to be instrumental in your decision-making process.

@nfreddyyy 3 года назад

This is a great video on a down under product. But also honest advice. Really appreciate your video

@FrederickDunn 3 года назад

I appreciate that!

@hoplite46 7 лет назад

Not all of us are carpentry minded or equpped

@FrederickDunn 7 лет назад

Then you would have to make friends with someone who can shape things up for you :) But, I will also say that it's the only box I have ever received in all my years that needed work. Very rare.

@vanthuannguyen865 5 лет назад

I want to order through him have not so I in Vietnam, I found this new item I can put 20 sets in advance

@TechTomVideo 8 лет назад

first i was impressed by the idea. but after watching this video, i have to say, that the overall quality is unbelieveable bad! This product should maybe cost 1500$ in order to have a really sustainable construction. This here is not worth the 600$