The honey extractor is one of the most important pieces of equipment in any beekeeping operation. Choosing the right model not only affects the quality of the honey, but also the workload and the equipment's lifespan. In Germany, beekeepers primarily use three types of extractors: tangential , radial , and self-reversing honey extractors.

Here you will find a clear comparison.

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🧰 1. Tangential honey extractors

In tangential extractors, the honeycombs are positioned sideways to the drum wall. After extracting the first side, they must be turned manually.

Advantages:

• cheaper to purchase

• simple operation

• Flexible for different frame sizes

Disadvantages:

• Manual turning required

• At high speeds there is a risk of honeycomb breakage.

Tangential models are often sufficient for small hobby beekeeping operations.

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🧰 2. Radial honey extractors

Radial extractors allow both sides of the honeycomb to be extracted simultaneously without having to turn the frames over.

Advantages:

• very gentle on the honeycomb

• high spin performance

• Ideal for colonies of approximately 15 colonies or more.

Disadvantages:

• higher acquisition costs

• greater space requirement

Many professional beekeepers use radial extractors because of their efficiency.

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🧰 3. Self-reversing honey extractors

These extractors are a further development of the tangential extraction technique. The honeycombs rotate automatically in the cassette during the extraction process, without the beekeeper having to intervene.

Advantages:

• significant work relief

• gentle spin-drying

• especially well suited for medium-sized beekeeping operations

Disadvantages:

• more expensive than simple tangential slingshots

Many German beekeepers see self-reversing models as the ideal middle ground: more convenient than simple tangential extractors, but significantly cheaper than large radial extractors.

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💡 Key quality features

Regardless of the type of extractor, a good honey extractor should be made of stainless steel . This is durable, hygienic, and easy to clean.

One particularly important point is the wall thickness of the boiler:
0.8 mm stainless steel is considered optimal because it provides stability, minimizes vibrations and extends the service life.

The following should also be taken into account:

• stable feet

• cleanly finished welds

• a well-positioned drain valve

• Suitable baskets for your frame size (Zander, DNM, Dadant US)

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⚙️ Manual or automatic operation?

Hand-operated honey extractors are well-suited for beginners and small beekeeping operations. They are robust, inexpensive, and independent of electricity.

Automatic models save a lot of time and labor – especially with 5–20 colonies. Self-reversing extractors offer a great advantage here because the extraction process takes place almost without intervention.

Many beekeepers therefore opt for an automatic self-reversing extractor , as it offers almost the same convenience as a radial extractor, but is available at significantly lower costs.

➤ Market comparison

On the German market, prices for self-reversing stainless steel centrifuges with automatic function are often significantly higher. Models with a 0.8 mm wall thickness , solid workmanship, and stable construction often cost considerably more than simple tangential or radial versions.

This makes modern automatic honey extractors in the price range of around €999 particularly attractive for many beekeepers – a good balance of quality, material thickness and range of functions, without having to pay for large professional radial systems.

The statement is deliberately worded cautiously in order to remain neutral and informative.

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📌 Conclusion: Which slingshot is right for you?

Recommendation:
For beekeepers with up to approximately 10–20 colonies, an automatic self-reversing honey extractor can be a very sensible choice. It combines ease of use, reliable quality, and good value for money.