Pollen dryer SAF®

01 · CAPACITY

How much pollen it really dries in a day

The reference is 500 g in 24 hours on two 250 g trays; results vary with starting moisture and working conditions. Compare this with the kilograms you collect daily, not a fixed number of colonies. If collections exceed processing capacity, allow for a larger dryer or suitable cold storage while the pollen waits.

02 · DRYING

Check the actual drying temperature

The equipment specification lists three levels, a 475 W heater and a thermostat set at 65 °C. This does not state the pollen temperature or justify drying it at 65 °C. Check the temperature reached with the actual load. To preserve sensitive constituents, Bogdanov recommends a maximum of 30 °C; traditional operation around 40 °C entails greater losses. Spread a thin layer, about 2 cm at most, and check final moisture: 6% is the process reference; 6–8% is a proposed tentative maximum, not a storage guarantee.

03 · EXPANSION

It ships with two sieves and the body takes up to ten

It includes two sieves measuring 300 mm in diameter and 40 mm high, in a 317 mm basket. The body takes up to ten; extras are sold separately. They increase loading area, but do not justify multiplying the 500 g/24 h rating by five: heater and fan remain unchanged. Check samples at different heights and adjust load or time if drying is uneven.

FROM THE APIARY

Let pollen cool in clean, dry surroundings before sealing containers. Our guide gives 10–14 minutes of cool airflow as a reference, adapted to the load and the machine’s functions. Cooling does not replace moisture measurement or the batch’s hygiene checks.

04 · BEFORE YOU BUY

The box holds the body with its ventilation motor and thermostat, the basket and two sieves. A benchtop 230 V appliance for a domestic socket, weighing 2.64 kg.