Langstroth brood body 10F

01 · TWO JOBS

Brood box today, honey super tomorrow

In a Langstroth outfit this is the most reusable piece in the catalogue. On the floor it works as a brood box, with room for ten frames of brood, honey and pollen. Stacked above, it works as a super through the flow. And next season it can swap roles without anything ceasing to fit, because the dimensions are the same. That is the real advantage of a single-format apiary: every box you buy serves whatever that season needs.

02 · THE TIMBER AND THE JOINT

25 mm and finger joints, because the load is in the corner

A super full of honey reaches 25-30 kg, and that weight pulls on the corners every time you lift it. Against the 22 mm of the standard Langstroth, this one goes up to 25 mm of solid pine with all four corners box-jointed: the mechanical interlock carries the load, the nails only close it. The handholds are cut into the wood itself, with no screwed parts to work loose. On arrival, check it is square by setting it on a flat surface and mating it with another box: a two-minute check, better done before the hive is built up.

03 · THE FRAMES IT COMES WITH

Ten wired Hoffman frames, and it is not sold without them

It arrives assembled with its 10 horizontally wired Hoffman frames: all that is missing is the foundation. The Hoffman carries the spacer built into the side bar, so it keeps comb spacing without a separate rail and, on inspection, the spacer lifts out with the frame. Watch out if you work with straight frames: those do need metal spacers or a rail, bought separately. And for now this box is only supplied with frames, not bare.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

It is 10-frame Langstroth — 51 × 42.2 cm and 24 cm tall — compatible with any Langstroth floor, crown board and roof. It does not fit Dadant or Layens. The factory linseed oil is a base coat: if the apiary sits in a damp area, give it another coat or paint it before first use.