Fire marker for hives (12 digits)

When it’s time to register your apiary, the same question always comes up: how do you mark your hives in a way that is compliant and truly permanent? Regulations require a durable, indelible identification, and we all know what happens with paint or metal plates: sun fades them, rain loosens them, and within a couple of seasons half the hives have lost their ID.

This ANEL branding tool solves the problem for good. It’s not just another accessory: it’s the tool that protects your equipment against inspections, theft and mix-ups in the apiary. Fire doesn’t fade.

Real power: deep, consistent branding

Standard branding irons constantly lose temperature. This one doesn’t. The head carries two high-performance burners that heat the bronze characters evenly, allowing you to brand wooden, plastic and polystyrene hives cleanly and safely.

On wood, the result is a dark, deep burn. On plastic or polystyrene, a quick touch brands clearly without melting the material.

Character head: how to configure it correctly

The head holds 12 characters of 30 x 15 mm. The tool is sold as a base unit; letters and numbers are purchased separately.

Technically the tool can operate with 8 characters, but the recommended setup is always the same: fill all 12 slots. With 12 characters or spacers, heat distribution is uniform and branding quality is significantly better. With fewer than 8 characters, heat escapes and the tool will not work.

If your code is short, simply add blank spaces or dashes to complete the 12.

Why propane is required (and butane isn’t suitable)

This tool consumes a lot of gas. High gas flow cools the bottle quickly: the classic refrigeration effect.

Butane, even with a free-flow regulator (not the domestic clip-on type), hits its physical limit: it stops evaporating at 0 °C. After a few minutes of work or in cold weather, the bottle will freeze, pressure will drop below the required 3 Bar and the branding will be pale or incomplete.

Propane remains gaseous down to around -44 °C. This means stable pressure, a strong flame and continuous work without interruptions.

The correct regulator

You must use a 3 Bar high-pressure regulator (16 Bar inlet, approx. 18 kg/h flow). Domestic regulators or uncontrolled free-flow types don’t work.

Work rhythm and practical uses

Ready in about 5 minutes. The handle includes a shutoff valve and the stainless-steel base protects from radiant heat.

Tip: brand your Hoffmann frame top bars too. It prevents mix-ups when selling nucs or sharing equipment.

Technical specs

• Up to 12 characters, 30 x 15 mm, branding area approx. 19 x 3 cm.
• Heating time: ~5 minutes.
• Runs on propane with 3 Bar regulator (16 Bar inlet, 18 kg/h).
• Bronze head, stainless steel base, valve-equipped handle.

Safety notes

• Use outdoors only.
• Gas may extend up to ~40 cm on ignition.
• Remains hot ~15 minutes after shutdown.
• Branding pressure must be gentle; if you need to push harder, it’s not hot enough yet.

Final tip: order your letters/numbers, filler pieces and the 3 Bar regulator so the tool arrives ready to use.