Introduction
When most people find out that I teach natural beekeeping, one of the first things they ask me about is the Flow Hive.
It’s funny – there’s probably no other beekeeping innovation — well at least not recently — that’s stirred up so much debate in the beekeeping community.
Some folks love the concept of it, others… well, not so much. Instead of just giving you my two cents, I thought it would be more helpful to share what some experienced beekeepers have observed and concluded about the Flow Hive after studying its impact on bees and beekeeping.
Going Against The Flow: Is The Flow Hive a Good Idea?
By Kirsten Bradley
In her thought-provoking piece for Milkwood Permaculture, Kirsten Bradley explores the fundamental challenges of the Flow Hive system:
[“Bees want to build their own wax comb. It’s part of the bee superorganism. The wax is literally built from their bodies.”]
Bradley provides a thoughtful analysis of how the Flow Hive impacts natural bee behavior. She emphasizes that bees naturally build their own wax comb, which serves not just as storage but as an integral part of the colony’s communication and health. The introduction of plastic components in the Flow Hive system, while innovative, may disrupt these natural processes.
Bradley raises valid concerns about how the Flow Hive might oversimplify beekeeping, potentially attracting people more interested in honey harvesting than bee stewardship. She encourages potential beekeepers to understand that caring for bees involves much more than just collecting honey.
[“It’s fab, it’s new, and the honey flows straight into the jar. It’s so easy. But then, powdered instant potato is easy, too. Does that make it a good idea?”]
3 Reasons To Go Against The Flow Hive
By Maryam Henein
Writing for Honey Colony, Maryam Henein presents a critical examination of the Flow Hive system:
[“At first glance, I too thought Flow Hive was a genius invention that honors the bees but after looking under the proverbial lid, I’ve concluded that the device reduces nature’s miracle into a beer keg. It’s animal husbandry with a negative twist.”]
Like Bradley, Henein’s perspective resonates with many natural beekeepers’ concerns about oversimplifying the complex relationship between bees and beekeepers. She argues that the Flow Hive’s focus on easy honey harvesting might discourage new beekeepers from developing essential hive management skills.
[“This newfangled honey collection system is comprised of plastic. It’s basically the Langstroth hive on steroids…”]
The article raises important points about the potential impact of plastic components on colony health and the importance of maintaining regular hive inspections. From my experience, these concerns about plastic in the Flow Hive environment deserve serious consideration.
[“Flow Hive promotes the emotional detachment of factory farming.”]
Why We Will Not Be Using Flow Hives in Our Apiary
By Eliza De La Portilla
In her compelling article for the Huffington Post, Eliza De La Portilla shares practical insights about why her apiary chose not to adopt the Flow Hive system:
[“…we don’t believe that the Flow Hive is the be all and end all solution it is toted to be. My biggest worry is that people invest in a Hive and then with dreams of easy use, abandon them when they realize they require more care or work or knowledge than they might have.”]
De La Portilla echoes earlier concerns about artificial materials in the hive, but focuses particularly on how bees might react to the Flow Hive’s plastic components. As someone who has observed bees’ meticulous nature with propolis and wax, I find her points about potential clogging particularly relevant. Bees are precise engineers, and they often modify their environment in ways we don’t expect.
The article provides valuable insights into why some commercial apiaries choose not to adopt the Flow Hive system, citing both practical and philosophical reasons. These perspectives from large-scale beekeepers offer important considerations for anyone contemplating beekeeping at any scale.
[“The promotional video oversimplifies beekeeping.”]
Is the Flow Hive Bad for Bees?
By Hilary Kearney
“Beekeeping Like a Girl” founder Hilary Kearney offers a more balanced perspective on the Flow Hive debate:
[“The most common argument I hear against the Flow Hive is that it creates or promotes ‘lazy beekeeping’ practices.”]
Similar to previous authors, Kearney addresses concerns about plastic components in the Flow Hive system, but she makes an important point that negligent beekeeping practices existed long before the Flow Hive and aren’t inherently tied to any particular hive design.
[“For good or bad, the Flow Hive inspired a wave of new beekeepers and with that comes a lot of ignorance and mistakes.”]
The article thoughtfully examines how the Flow Hive might impact both bees and beekeeping practices, while emphasizing that the beekeeper’s approach matters more than the equipment used. This aligns with my experience that successful beekeeping depends more on understanding and respecting bee behavior than on specific tools or technologies.
[“Many blame the original teaser video for attracting so many potential lazy beekeepers. They complain that it was deliberately misleading.”]
Real Flow Hive Pros and Cons
By Cricket Aldridge
Writing for Garden Variety Bees, Cricket Aldridge offers a practical assessment of the Flow Hive system’s advantages and limitations:
[“I don’t believe its quality is worth it. Flow hives cost around $800 for a two box set-up.”]
Like several other reviewers, Aldridge examines the significant financial investment required for the Flow Hive system. Her analysis extends beyond just the initial cost, looking at long-term considerations including durability in different climates.
[“Flow Hive professes that their hives are less intrusive to bees. I really don’t see how that is possible. Your colony still must be opened regularly and frames taken out to be observed.”]
Particularly noteworthy is her examination of how the Flow Hive’s cedar construction performs in various environments. The article raises important points about how different climates might affect both the Flow Hive’s functionality and the bees’ behavior within it.
[“…they are encouraging people to take the honey that the bees are storing for themselves”]
Thoughts on The Flow Hive
By Jonathan Powell
Natural beekeeping advocate Johnathan Powell shares his concerns about practical aspects of the Flow Hive system:
[“The foolish beekeeper hides behind technology, denies the bees their innate preferences, exploits them to edge of starvation, and replaces their honey with inferior sugar/fructose solution.”]
Powell’s analysis focuses on the day-to-day practical implications of using the Flow Hive system. His observations about potential bee casualties during routine operations add an important perspective to the broader discussion about bee welfare in different hive designs.
Building on concerns raised by other reviewers about the Flow Hive’s impact on colony health, Powell particularly emphasizes the importance of careful handling during inspections and maintenance operations.
[“The flow hive is a very expensive way to keep bees.”]
People Keep Asking Me About The Flow Hive
By Dustin Bajer
In his thorough analysis, Dustin Bajer offers an important clarification about what the Flow Hive actually is:
[“The first thing to understand about the Flow Hive is that it’s not a new type of hive but a Langstroth hive with a built-in extraction tool.”]
Bajer’s perspective helps demystify the Flow Hive system, explaining that it’s essentially a modification of existing technology rather than a complete reimagining of beekeeping. Like Rusty Burlew, he emphasizes that the basic principles of bee care remain unchanged regardless of the harvesting method.
His analysis particularly focuses on the misconceptions about maintenance requirements, echoing concerns raised by other experts about the potential for new beekeepers to underestimate the hands-on care required.
[“My biggest concern is that new beekeepers assume the hive is a zero-maintenance honey machine. It’s not.”]
The Flow Hive
By Ann Barczewski
[“This eliminates much of the labor involved in harvesting honey. You don’t even really need to be present. As a matter of fact, they say there is potential for remotely activated or automatic honey extraction.”]
In her concise but insightful piece for Keeping Backyard Bees, Ann Barczewski addresses some practical concerns about the Flow Hive system:
Barczewski brings attention to potential issues that other reviewers haven’t extensively covered, particularly the risk of honey robbing behavior. Her practical observations about how the Flow Hive’s design might influence bee behavior add another important dimension to the discussion.
Like Cricket Aldridge, she also emphasizes the significant financial investment required for the Flow Hive system, encouraging potential users to carefully consider the cost-benefit ratio.
[“May be more efficient at honey harvesting, but may be more disruptive to the “superorganism” that is the hive.”]
My Flow Hive: Three Years In
By Angela Ferraro-Fanning
Contributing to Backyard Beekeeping, Angela Ferraro-Fanning shares her long-term experience with the Flow Hive system:
[“Many experienced apiarists believe the technology to be gimmicky, expensive, and unnecessarily adding to the cost of beekeeping.”]
Ferraro-Fanning provides valuable insights from actual Flow Hive usage. Her experience with propolis accumulation and the challenges of operating the Flow Hive system offers practical considerations for potential users. These real-world observations help balance marketing promises with operational realities.
The author’s three-year perspective helps demonstrate both benefits and limitations of the Flow Hive system, particularly regarding maintenance requirements and bee behavior patterns. This kind of long-term user experience provides crucial information for those considering investing in a Flow Hive.
[“And though the Flow Hive is more “hands-off” when harvesting honey, both methods offer plenty of opportunities to be stung.”]
Flow Hive Review
By Rusty Burlew
As one of the most prolific writers on the Flow Hive system, Rusty Burlew of Honey Bee Suite has published several comprehensive analyses. Across multiple articles, she provides detailed insights into the Flow Hive’s impact on beekeeping:
[“…if you want to learn beekeeping, you start by learning about bees—how to collect their honey should be the last thing on your mind. Unless you can raise large healthy colonies that make honey in the first place, no amount of invention will help you remove it.”]
Burlew brings extensive beekeeping experience to her analysis of the Flow Hive system. She emphasizes that while the Flow Hive may innovate honey harvesting, it doesn’t address the fundamental aspects of bee care and colony management that all beekeepers must master.
[“…of all the honey bee-related problems in the world, how to get the honey out is not high on the list.”]
Her reviews highlight the importance of understanding that successful beekeeping requires regular hive inspections, disease monitoring, and careful observation of colony health – regardless of the harvesting method used. These points resonate strongly with natural beekeeping principles, and echo concerns raised by other experts about the risk of oversimplifying beekeeping.
[“The idea that anyone can have honey on tap without having to mess with bees is a myth.”]
Read the full articles here and here
Conclusion
From the time I’ve spent with bees I’ve come to understand that there’s rarely a simple answer in beekeeping. The Flow Hive is no different. Cedar and Stuart Anderson put a lot of heart into creating something new, and they’ve definitely got people talking about bees – that’s a win in my book. But here’s the thing: keeping bees healthy and happy isn’t just about what system you use.
Over the years, I’ve noticed that whether a hive thrives has more to do with the beekeeper’s connection to their bees than the type of box they live in. The Flow Hive might make harvesting honey easier, but it won’t teach you how to read your colony’s needs or spot early signs of trouble. That know-how comes from time, patience and staying curious about these fascinating creatures. If all you think about is to turn a tap and watch the honey flow then you’ve missed the real point of beekeeping.
If you’re thinking about getting into beekeeping – whether with a Flow Hive, a Langstroth, or my personal favorite, a top bar hive – take your time to learn about what bees actually are. Watch how they work. Listen to experienced beekeepers. And always remember: our job is to support these incredible insects, not just harvest their honey.
Stay inspired with essential tips, expert advice, and exclusive offers for beekeepers! Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, our newsletter is your go-to resource for thriving hives.
Sign up today and elevate your beekeeping journey!
