Starting a Fire

New beekeepers learning how to start a smoker. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Starting a Fire

A smoker is often-called a beekeeper’s best friend. Keeping a fire going inside basically a large soup can is another story. It is the one ability new beekeepers have the hardest time developing, followed only by spotting the queen bee maybe on a moving frame of bees.

A smoker - a good working smoker - is a beekeeper’s best friend. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

There’s a good reason why starting a fire in a smoker can be challenging. In addition to having the right fuel, some models are sold without a critical piece; a little tray that sits on the bottom of the metal can.

If you are buying a smoker, make sure to inspect for this vital piece. If you don’t have one, see if someone in your area can make one. A friend made me this one.

Homemade internal bottom smoker plate. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Underneath the plate are legs that keep it elevated off the bottom of the smoker so oxygen can circulate and keep the fuel burning.

The bottom legs to the smoker’s bottom plate, (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you don’t know anyone who can make one for you, use open wire with a similar bottom clearance. The idea is to keep the fuel elevated so air, and oxygen, circulates through the fuel when you use the bellows. That’s how you keep the fire going!

And there you have it, a fire in a large soup can! (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

If you have never started a smoker, I recommend trying to get it lit before you open a hive. You also want to practice keeping it going so you can depend on the smoker if you need to once the hive is open.

I do tend to use muslin kitchen towels to keep my bees calm when I inspect them. The larger colonies usually take some smoke to keep them calm. Smoke makes them gorge on honey and not concentrate on what you are doing as the beekeeper.

Charlotte