💨Lighting a Bee Smoker and Keeping it Lit. All. Day. Long.

Рет қаралды 23,420

Күн бұрын

The smoker is a critical piece of beekeeping equipment and lighting that smoker can be a challenge, especially for those who are new to beekeeping. Once lit it can be hard to keep it going strong enough consistently work the bees. It can bee aggravating and frustrating to have to stop and continuously re-light the smoker every few minutes. The good news is that there it is possible successfully light your smoker and keep it lit all day long. There are many ways to do it. In this video I want to share what has become my favorite fuel and technique for lighting and maintaining my honeybee smoker. I hope this helps those who struggle with this. Let me know what you think!
I actually decided to do this video after watching a video from Emily Pedzinski ‪@beefitbeekeeping‬ where she expressed her frustration with keeping her smoker lit. She is an up and coming beekeeper who is sharing her journey as she learns about these incredible bugs in a box.
Check out Emily's channel here:‪@beefitbeekeeping‬
Check out Seth’s channel here: ‪@sethhillABR‬
#brucesbees #beekeeping #beesarecool

Пікірлер: 167

@meloneycrews Жыл бұрын

Dennis always puts moss on top also…keeps the pellets from rolling out of the smoker if you tilt it too much and it also keeps it a cool smoke!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hey great idea. Thanks for the tip!

@meloneycrews Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees thanks for making the video we watch so many YT videos and they don’t even know how to light a smoker…so youve done a great service to a lot of people!! That includes us Bruce!! We came out of winter with 16 hives( didn’t lose any) and have increased to 47 now! So many of the techniques and methods we used are because of you! Thanks for all you do!! 💕💞

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

@@meloneycrews wow that’s great. A bee operation can definitely expand quickly! Sounds like y’all have it rolling now! Thanks for the kind words. 🐝😎

@trichard5106 Жыл бұрын

I put some green grass on top.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I like it. Sounds like a great idea!

@danholtbk7008 Ай бұрын

Just roll up some medium thickness box cardboard into a tube about 3" long. It usually takes about 6 feet of cardboard to get it the size of the smoker. Roll it fairly tight by hand. Tie it with some string to keep it rolled up. Roll it with the corrigation to make it easy to roll. The gaps in the corrugation will act as chimneys. Light it with a torch and then drop it in the smoker You will get immediate smoke and if it is rolled fairly tightly it will burn for 3-4 hours. I've let it sit for over a half hour without pumping it and in a couple pumps you have immediate smoke. No dinking around with flame ups and packing, more flame ups and more packing. Make up a half dozen or more and you will have smoke for many outings. If you need more than 3-4 hours of smoke, just light another one and drop it in. Done. Easy. Cheap.

@brucesbees Ай бұрын

I like it. Thanks for the tip!

@BohemiaBees Жыл бұрын

I love this technique. Smokers are the bane of my existence. But when I get one going I almost don’t want to put it out. Lol. Great video.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

No doubt man. Pine straw works well if you take the time to really get it rolling. But it also burns faster. And I like the smell of the smoker pellets better too.

@nealfutrellministries9002 4 күн бұрын

Thank you for this video! I’ve been getting a bit frustrated with my smoker. This is awesome for me! $7.88 pellets from Walmart and now it stays smoking. Thanks again!

@brucesbees 4 күн бұрын

Hey that’s great to know. Glad it helped you!

@garyfreeman5999 Жыл бұрын

Bruce- an old trick, used by many old-timers to keep a smoker lit, is to actually knock a couple of holes towards the bottom of the smoker with a nail. Yes . . . . . a little smoke will come out through those holes when you puff the bellows, but it's not bad and what it does is to keep an airflow going up into the fuel during those times when the smoker is not being used.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I like it. Sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the tip!

@MikeBarryBees Жыл бұрын

Yep, been using this technique myself for the last few years. When I showed it in a video, I was accused by a viewer that was building a commercial operation that I was giving away the secret of commercial beekeepers!! 😅😅

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

To funny lol. I really like the pellets. Game changer

@MikeBarryBees Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees I was actually a bit surprised when you said you’d never done it before. When we were at your bee yard, I did my smoker like that and Greg was shooting some footage of me showing the straw, then pellets and then straw again. He was a bit taken aback by my torch to the side of the smoker though😁😁😂😂

@galleynationtv 23 күн бұрын

Needed this advice! Thank you.

@brucesbees 19 күн бұрын

Awesome. Hope it helps!

@johnhudson412 Жыл бұрын

Nice of you to make this video for Emily and the rest of us!👍thanks Bruce

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes. I was watching her video and a light bulb went. It was a great idea and easy video to film.

@johnhudson412 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees yea I sent her a message about using pine straw but I love your pellet idea.. you know I’m going to have to go to Tractor Supply tomorrow… thanks 😂

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. I think you will like it.

@Ashby_Farms_NC Жыл бұрын

Always making my bee life better! Thanks Bruce!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in Ashby. If you try it let me know what you think.

@truthbomb4775 Жыл бұрын

Been using Hickory pellets for two years. Stays lit, last as long as you want and smells much better. I put a wooden plug in the end when done and it goes out. Reuse left overs next time. No waste.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip.

@fastereveryrace3823 Жыл бұрын

Oh my goodness, thank you!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Thanks for checking in!

@mrtraumaboyy4098 Жыл бұрын

Wow... great suggestion as always Bruce!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Works well for me. Thought it might work for others as well.

@TennesseeTim38451 Жыл бұрын

Great video Bruce!!!! I pray your season is going well!!! It’s all hands on deck here!!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

We are having a strange year. Somewhat of a busy so far. Holding out how that the tallow kicks into gear and we end up salvaging the harvest.

@BuckInfinidy Жыл бұрын

I started using them last year. Game changer.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Works great!

@stonegatefarms Жыл бұрын

Yep. I use straw with pellets. It really lasts a Long time! Nice video Bruce. I like the music and word fly aways/transitions 👍

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support and kind words Brian. And as always I appreciate the support!

@randyneese7902 Жыл бұрын

Nice ideal. I’ve been using pine needles but goes out sometime if I don’t constantly use it. I have a tractor supply within a couple of miles from me ,so I’m going to get some of those pellets. Thanks for the tip.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think that thing lasted at least a couple of hours after I lit it without adding pellets. It will run a little low but with a few good pumps it comes back to life.

@esauer1014 Жыл бұрын

Thank you for the information!!! I really appreciate it very much!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in and for the support!

@sarashappyhives1828 11 ай бұрын

Thanks Bruce! I like pine needles and old denim scraps 😊

@brucesbees 11 ай бұрын

Sounds good. Many different ways to do it.

@rodneymiddleton9624 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce!!!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome man. Thanks for checking in!

@richardpraeger6357 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great video!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for checking in my friend.

@redfish440 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce!!! Great advice, I’m definitely gonna try this. RTR ✌️

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I think you will like it. Works well for me!

@reengineerit 2 ай бұрын

Super helpful, thanks man!

@brucesbees 2 ай бұрын

Great. Thanks for checking in!

@PeabodysApiary Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce ! Been stuffing pine needles for years this makes way more sense hahaha

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Me too! Until a few weeks back.🐝😎

@GrammyMidwife Жыл бұрын

Great video!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks Lisa. It works well.

@chuckoverturf6710 Жыл бұрын

That's a good idea. I bought some wood pellets for my meat smoker that wouldn't feed through the augar and would clog up the thing and really tick me off. I now have a 50lb bag of pellets I can use for my bee smoker. Thanks for the info.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. Good luck!

@hopesadler4000 Жыл бұрын

Thanks Bruce.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

You’re welcome. Thanks for the support Hope.

@johnkillen588 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Bruce.........i use pine straw or burlap and they both go out...........brillant move with the pellets........i have pellets and did not think to use same.........thanks!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Good stuff. Maybe it will work out well for you if you use them. I think it will.

@joetripp123 10 ай бұрын

Since we have a pellet meat smoker I've always put a handful of pellets at the bottom of the smoker. Then, like you previously, stuffed it full with pine straw. I found it burned through the straw too fast as well. I never considered reversing that - just using a little pine straw to light pellets and then just use primarily a few handfuls of pellets. I'll give it a go.

@brucesbees 10 ай бұрын

I really like it. Has worked well for me so far.

@WildwoodsBeekeeping Жыл бұрын

Good video Bruce, I've always used just Pine Straw, I used to use pellets but then Only used Pine Straw. Good method 👍

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in Grayson.

@karenlittlejohn1864 3 ай бұрын

Thank you I’m a new bee keeper it’s a huge help

@brucesbees 3 ай бұрын

I’m glad you enjoy the information. Good luck with your bees and I hope you can keep your smoker lit!

@NKYHoneyBees Жыл бұрын

Great video Bruce. Will be trying this. I hate the smoker going out

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hopefully it will work out for you. I think it will.

@garryhancock3394 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the info, been having smoker issues myself.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yeah this method works well. The key to all methods though is to make sure the smoker flames up before you pack it and then give a bunch of good puffs to make sure it is well lit. Once that happens you can usually pack it pretty tight with duel whether it be more pibe straw, pellets or I’m sure burlap or other duels as well.

@libertyqueenbee1473 2 ай бұрын

I have tons of pine needles not straw. I use it cause I’m lazy but it takes a toll on a smoker for sure. Just bought a new Dadant and I’m gonna get some pellets. Don’t wanna ruin another smoker with pine creosote!

@brucesbees 2 ай бұрын

The line creosote can be cleaned up with heat. I bought a little propane torch that I use now. If you burn the buildup with the torch it seems to pulverize it pretty good.

@Glitch19275 3 ай бұрын

Thanks this was very helpful and informative

@brucesbees 3 ай бұрын

Great! Hope it works out well for you!

@texasfriendlybeekeepers8210 Жыл бұрын

great video Thumbs up!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks my friend!

@alhambraorchardapiary4882 Жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I do Bruce. If you can't find pine straw I have subbed with pine shavings from TSC with same effect.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for the tip!

@kentmeredith2945 Жыл бұрын

Very helpful video! I tried pellets a couple years ago but I gave up because it made a really messy black resin all over that made it hard to open and close the lid. Around here the insiders all use 🐎 🐎 🐎 biscuits.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yeah I have noticed the black resin both with the pellets and pinte straw. It’s a good idea to loosen the lid it open it before storing it.

@robinwilliams1253 Жыл бұрын

Thank you, I've had same problems.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hopefully this will help.

@grantjackson3951 Жыл бұрын

Great tips, I like to use hessian coffee bags seem to last for hours.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Cool deal. Thanks for the tip!

@austinvickymoore3656 Жыл бұрын

Nice to see this had the problem of keeping it lit to

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Awesome. Thanks for watching!

@honeyandthecoop803 Жыл бұрын

Good idea Bruce, let us know when the ribs are ready.....now that you made us hungry!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I hear ya haha.

@rockcray7525 Жыл бұрын

I put in the pine shavings from Tractor supply, light the top and get a burnt layer on top. Then add about a handfull or 2 of smoker pellets while still puffing, top off with more pine shavings to hold the pellets in.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I like it. Thanks for the tip!

@donbearden1953 Жыл бұрын

Bruce, I’ve always used just pine straw but I’ve been thinking about trying pellets so I will definitely give it a try.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Cool deal. Hope it works out for you. I think it will.

@mikeconley3031 Жыл бұрын

Well said

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike and thanks as always for the support.

@framcesmoore Жыл бұрын

Ha Bruce Seth got it from Bob Binnie Bob puts the straw on top of the pellets, as well, the video was great hope u have a blessed day

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yeah I’m sure he did. He has a great mentor for sure.

@WVHILLBILLYHONEY Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip Bruce I got some pellets and have only got to do this a couple of time but works awesome and stays lit longer. That Seth Hill ins’t just another pretty face.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yeah he is going to do big things for sure.

@WVHILLBILLYHONEY Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees yes he is. He's learned from one of the best. Seems like a very hard worker.

@honeygirlsapiary 9 ай бұрын

About to use this method now!!

@brucesbees 9 ай бұрын

Awesome. Hope it works for you!

@honeygirlsapiary 9 ай бұрын

It did! Stayed lit for hours! Without even constantly puffing it!!

@brucesbees 9 ай бұрын

@figaloo awesome. It works well for me too!

@Oracle4DeAtlantis 11 ай бұрын

Thank you …

@brucesbees 11 ай бұрын

You’re welcome. Thanks for watching!

@davidlewis4179 Жыл бұрын

I've been using the pellets and was struggling to get my smoker lit and keep it lit. Also I've added a piece of #8 hardware cloth in the lid to keep the pellets from rolling out the end. Recently I discovered by sticking my map gas torch down in to the pellets it forces the pellets to start burning deeper in the smoker. This is because I haven't been using a kindling source under the pellets. Again this is because I don't reload my smoker everyday day. It's still loaded with pellets from the last several times I've been in my bees. With only 13 hives one smoker load last several visits to my bees.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hey good stuff and thanks for the tip. I forgot to mention that the pellets can roll out if you too it up too much.

@hcaveman6954 3 ай бұрын

👍👍💪💪🙂

@irishcoffee6894 Жыл бұрын

It indeed is a nice, clean and easy way. Have you ever tried cow or horse manure ? Light cardboard or so or just straw, as soon as it is lit put the (dry, of course) cow or horse manure, and it will stay smoking for at least a couple of hours without any problem. Good luck

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

That is an interesting idea. I don’t always have that available but there are cows and/or horses near some of the bees so maybe I will give it a try. Thanks for the tip.

@irishcoffee6894 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbeeseven if you start like I said and can't find the good dry stuff. You can add some half dry stuff and it will smoke even better. 😁😁

@JamesWilson-gt1lg Жыл бұрын

i do the same works great all day

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes I seems to work well. My new favorite method.

@bradgoliphant Жыл бұрын

I also have a great tip: Pack the bottom of your smoker with dried leaves, then add a large handful of shredded wood-chips, then finish packing it with pine needles. Once fully packed, using a blow torch, light the bottom outside edge of the smoker-yes the metal bottom part of the smoker. It will ignite the dried leaves you have in the bottom. Start puffing till you get heavy smoke then close it up. Ours stay lite for over 40 mins.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip. After starting this lighter I think it was something like an hour or maybe even two before I had to add more pellets. I do think your method would work well also. I prefer the smell of the pellets as well though. I have seen the torch used as you describe and have even done it myself. It works well.

@bradgoliphant Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees where did you get the pellets?

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Tractor Supply. Most of their pellets were pricy but they had one bag of these left. I think they cost around $7 or $8

@kamhoneybees3900 Жыл бұрын

i have only 1 problem with the smoker pellets...since they are just compressed saw dust if you don't keep them in an airtight container the moisture from the air will cause them to "uncompress". i had to throw out half a bag that turned back into sawdust from sucking up moisture.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hmm. Good to know. I haven’t had that issue but I do keep them in a 5 gallon bucket with a reusable lid.

@lomavistabeeco Жыл бұрын

Do you ever have a problem with the pellets rolling out of the top while smoking frames? Or do you prevent that from happening by only filling the smoker halfway?

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes I forgot to mention that. I have just started being careful not to turn the smoker upside down.

@brettellis1837 Жыл бұрын

Tea bags dry out add 8ml kerosene 2 eye drops lighter fluid leave dry out. Keep in plastic snap container coconut husk light tea bag drop in smoker add huskshould get 5.8 hrs.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@May.be.Anthony.Barbosa 10 ай бұрын

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@May.be.Anthony.Barbosa 10 ай бұрын

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@brucesbees 10 ай бұрын

Haha.

@zulikkowalski3547 Жыл бұрын

My smoker stays lit after I finish whatever I'm doing

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Good deal. Sounds like you need to keep doing what works for you.

@crazypeoplearoundtheworld304 Жыл бұрын

Mine gets going when I finish and stays going forever, but it dies until I'm finished.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Haha.

@Danny-Girl Жыл бұрын

I don’t buy pellets. I use dry sumac and it works the same 😊

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@briancaleb6503 3 ай бұрын

Wonder if Equine Pine Pellets would work? Going to try that tomorrow.

@brucesbees 3 ай бұрын

Couldn’t hurt.

@Danielseven-ir2mq Жыл бұрын

I've seen some use wood shavings ( not wood dust). Ad a little alcohol and lighted up. Don't know how long it last. My two cents.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tip.

@Flcracker0419 Жыл бұрын

I do the same,and it last all afternoon!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Yes it works great!

@innercompass9510 Жыл бұрын

I’m allergic to something in the pellets. Does anyone have another idea ?

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hmm. I know there are other materials. I just used line straw for years. If you really get it lit and pack it full and make sure it is smoking heavily it will last awhile. Greg Burns at Natures Image Farm has a good video on lighting a smoker and keeping it lit with cardboard and pine straw. It’s worth a watch.

@masonh2260 Жыл бұрын

Yea I switched to that fuel combination last year and am not going back.

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Game changer for sure

@intheshell35ify 11 ай бұрын

Handful of clover on top will catch the sparks so you don't burn down the back 40.

@brucesbees 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip!

@brucesbees 11 ай бұрын

I have used some blades of green grass and it has worked well. But have not had issues “burning down the back 40” without the green grass or clover either.

@intheshell35ify 11 ай бұрын

@@brucesbees yeah, but I also won't take a bath during a thunderstorm and I rarely pass up the opportunity to smoke something green.

@brucesbees 11 ай бұрын

Haha.

@keri5527 Жыл бұрын

How do you clean the creosote out of your smoker?

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

I usually just scrape it with the hive tool but it doesn’t work all that well. I have seen folks hear it up with a torch. But I rally don’t have a solution. Any ideas?

@redfish440 Жыл бұрын

I just clean the inside with a wire brush, creosote on the outside gives your smoker character. Really dry material help in preventing creosote buildup

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Hey thanks for the tip!

@raysgbg Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees I use a little battery type drill with a wire brush to mostly get around the lid and what I can reach inside the lid and barrell!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking in. Sounds like a good idea.

@brianchrisman4331 Жыл бұрын

The tractor supply bedding pine pellets are cheaper and work great

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

Good to know. Thanks for the tip!

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

These pellets were only $7 or $8 though.

@brianchrisman4331 Жыл бұрын

@@brucesbees ya that's not bad. We don't get the hardwood fuel pellets in FL where I am. We get bbq grill pellets but they're way too expensive

@brucesbees Жыл бұрын

When I went to TSC I bought the last bag of these. The rest were much more expensive. So I hear ya. Not sure if they just run out quick or is they only supply them part of the time.

@markkromer1238 7 ай бұрын

I bought a Dadent looks a lot like yours. These last a long time. I'm going to try dropping a lit charcoal briquette in with wood pellets or pine needles.

@brucesbees 7 ай бұрын

I really like my smoker. I used a Mann Lake smoker for years and then a Hillco smoker which was good but nothing beats the quality of this beast.