The Flow Hive is a world-first beehive invention that transforms honey harvesting ā allowing pure, fresh honey to flow directly from the hive into your jar at the turn of a key. No uncapping. No extractor. No heavy lifting. No mess. It is the most significant innovation in beekeeping in over 150 years and is now available in Kenya through Apiken.
What Is the Flow Hive?
The Flow Hive is a patented beehive system invented by Australian father-son duo Stuart and Cedar Anderson that fundamentally changes how honey is harvested. It uses specially designed Flow Frames ā partially pre-formed food-grade plastic honeycomb ā on which bees complete the cells, fill them with honey, and cap them with wax, exactly as they do in a conventional hive. The difference comes at harvest time: instead of removing frames, uncapping comb, and spinning in an extractor, the beekeeper simply inserts the Flow Key into the frame, turns it 90 degrees, and honey flows down an internal channel and out through a tube directly into a jar. No mess, no heavy lifting, no expensive processing equipment. The Flow Hive is compatible with standard Langstroth hive accessories and is used successfully in over 130 countries including Kenya.
Key Features and Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Harvesting Method | Flow Key ā turn to split cells, honey flows into jar by gravity |
| Flow Frame Material | BPA-free and BPS-free food-grade plastic |
| Observation Windows | Yes ā see inside the super without removing the lid |
| Compatible System | Standard Langstroth hive dimensions |
| Requires Extractor | No ā honey flows directly into your jar |
| Requires Uncapping | No ā Flow Key splits cells automatically |
| Best For | Beginner and experienced beekeepers, urban and rooftop apiaries |
Who Needs the Flow Hive?
- Beginner Beekeepers: The Flow Hive removes the most intimidating and equipment-heavy step in beekeeping ā honey extraction. New beekeepers can start harvesting honey with confidence from their very first harvest season.
- Urban and Rooftop Beekeepers: No extraction equipment, no processing room, no mess. The Flow Hive is ideal for garden, balcony, and rooftop apiaries in Nairobi and other Kenyan cities where space and practicality are a priority.
- Hobbyist Beekeepers: For beekeepers with one or two hives who want a genuinely enjoyable harvest experience ā sitting back and watching pure honey flow directly into a jar is one of beekeeping’s great pleasures.
- Experienced Beekeepers Upgrading: Beekeepers who already run Langstroth hives and want to eliminate extraction day entirely. The Flow Super fits directly onto an existing Langstroth brood box.
- Schools and Educational Apiaries: The Flow Hive’s observation windows make it an outstanding educational tool ā students and visitors can see inside the hive and observe the bees at work without any disturbance to the colony.
How to Use the Flow Hive
- Set up the hive. Assemble the Flow Hive on a stable stand at least 30cm above the ground, facing east or south-east. Ensure the hive has a slight forward tilt of 2ā3 degrees to help honey flow toward the outlet tube. Apply two coats of exterior-grade paint to all external timber surfaces before placing outdoors.
- Introduce a colony. Attract a wild swarm using Bee Lure or introduce a nucleus colony into the brood box. Allow the colony 6ā8 weeks to fully establish in the brood box before placing the Flow Super on top.
- Fit the Flow Super. Once the brood box is at least 70% full of drawn comb, place the Flow Super on top with a queen excluder between the two boxes. The bees will begin filling the Flow Frames within days during an active nectar flow.
- Check harvest readiness. Use the observation window on the side of the Flow Super to check honey fill and capping levels without opening the hive. Harvest when at least 80% of the visible cells are capped with white wax.
- Insert the Flow Key and harvest. Insert the Flow Key into the bottom operation slot at the side of the frame and turn 90 degrees. Honey will immediately begin flowing through the internal channel and out of the outlet tube into your collection jar. Allow approximately 20 minutes per frame for the honey to fully drain.
- Reset the frames. Once honey has finished draining, insert the Flow Key into the top slot and turn again. This resets the cells to their original position. The bees will chew away the wax cappings and begin refilling the frames within 24ā48 hours.
- Continue routine inspections. The Flow Hive simplifies honey harvesting but does not replace regular hive inspections. Inspect the brood box every 2ā3 weeks to monitor queen health, disease, and swarming tendency.
Why Buy From Apiken?
- Kenya’s trusted beekeeping supply brand ā quality products for every beekeeper
- Available for delivery across Nairobi and countrywide shipping
- Call or WhatsApp: 0797 764 747
- Trusted by commercial farmers, hobbyists, CBOs, and NGOs across Kenya
- Apiken accepts M-Pesa, card, cash and bank transfer payments
Shipping and Delivery
Apiken delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Flow Hive work with African honey bees in Kenya? Yes. The Flow Hive is successfully used in over 130 countries and is compatible with Apis mellifera scutellata, Kenya’s native African honey bee. Full protective equipment ā bee suit, gloves, and smoker ā must always be used during hive inspections and Flow Super placement.
Do I still need to inspect the hive if I have a Flow Hive? Yes. The Flow Hive simplifies honey harvesting but does not replace the need for regular brood box inspections. Monitoring colony health, queen status, disease, and swarming tendency through routine inspections remains essential with any hive type.
How do I know when the honey is ready to harvest? Use the Flow Hive’s observation window to check the capping level without opening the hive. Harvest when at least 80% of the visible cells appear capped with white wax. Uncapped or partially filled frames contain unripe honey with higher water content ā harvesting too early can cause honey to ferment.
Do I need an extractor, uncapping knife, or other processing equipment? No. The Flow Hive eliminates the need for all conventional extraction equipment. Honey flows directly from the frame into your collection jar by gravity. No extractor, uncapper, settling tank, or strainer is required at the point of harvest.
Does Apiken deliver the Flow Hive outside Nairobi? Apiken delivers countrywide to Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret, Machakos, Kitengela, Kitui, and all major towns across Kenya. Same-day delivery within Nairobi. Call 0797 764 747 to confirm delivery timelines for your location.
