Flow Hive 2: What It Is, What's Included and Whether It's Worth It
The Flow Hive 2 is the second generation of the original Australian tap-and-harvest beehive system — improved timber joinery and hardware over the original, using the same food-grade BPA-free Flow Frame mechanism. It has since been updated to the Flow Hive 2+ with further refinements. US pricing: $599–$749 complete for 6-frame. SkogHive offers a Flow Hive 2 compatible system with identical harvest mechanism, western red cedar construction, and food-grade certification at $450–$700 — shipped to all 50 US states. The core experience — turning a key, honey flows into jars — is identical across all genuine compatible systems.
The Flow Hive 2 uses food-grade BPA-free Flow Frames for automatic tap-and-harvest honey production. It includes brood box, Flow super (4 or 6 frames), screened bottom board, queen excluder, and Flow Key. US price: $599–$749. SkogHive compatible system: same mechanism, cedar construction, $450–$700, ships all 50 US states. The Flow Hive 2+ is the current upgraded version — better rear panel sealing and inspection window.
In This Article
- What Is the Flow Hive 2 and How Does It Work?
- Flow Hive Generations Compared: Original, Flow Hive 2, and Flow Hive 2+
- What Is Included in a Flow Hive 2 Complete Kit?
- Flow Hive 2 Configurations: 4-Frame vs 6-Frame for US Beekeepers
- SkogHive vs Flow Hive 2: Which Offers Better Value for US Beekeepers?
- USDA and FDA Food Safety Standards for Flow Hive 2 Systems
- Frequently asked questions
What Is the Flow Hive 2 and How Does It Work?
What makes the Flow Hive 2 different from a traditional beehive — and what problem does it solve?
The Flow Hive 2 is a complete beehive system built around a patented automatic honey harvesting mechanism — the Flow Frame. It was designed to solve the most time-consuming and disruptive aspect of traditional beekeeping: honey extraction. Traditional beehives require frames to be physically removed, uncapped, spun in a centrifugal extractor, and cleaned — a 2–4 hour process that significantly disturbs the colony.
The Flow Hive 2 replaces this with a three-step process:
- Bees fill the Flow Frames. Worker bees fill food-grade BPA-free polymer cells with ripened honey and cap them with beeswax — exactly as they would in natural wax comb. The bees do not distinguish between Flow Frame cells and natural comb during filling.
- The beekeeper turns the Flow Key. Inserting the Flow Key into the rear access port and turning it splits the cell walls along a precision fracture plane — creating gravity drainage channels through the frame.
- Honey flows into jars. Honey drains by gravity through the collection channel and out through a food-grade silicone tube directly into harvest jars — in 20–40 minutes per frame, without opening the hive or disturbing the colony.
The Flow Frame mechanism is patented by Flow Hive (Cedar and Stuart Anderson, Australia). The patent covers the specific cell-splitting mechanism used in genuine Flow Hive and compatible systems. SkogHive and other legitimate compatible system manufacturers produce Flow Hive compatible equipment — using the same licensed mechanism with food-grade certified components. Counterfeit products that copy the mechanism without licensing or food-grade certification are patent-infringing and food-safety non-compliant.
Flow Hive Generations Compared: Original, Flow Hive 2, and Flow Hive 2+
How do the three Flow Hive generations differ — and does the generation matter for the harvest experience?
Original Flow Hive (Gen 1)
First Generation- Basic box joinery — some weather sealing issues over time
- Pine construction — shorter lifespan than cedar in warm US climates
- No side inspection window
- Core Flow Frame mechanism — identical to later generations
Flow Hive 2
Second Generation- Improved box joinery — better weather sealing
- Cedar option available — better heat and UV resistance
- Improved inner cover ventilation
- No side inspection window (added in 2+)
- Rear panel sealing improved over Gen 1
Flow Hive 2+ (Current Generation)
Current — Recommended- Side observation window — check capping without opening hive
- Improved rear access panel sealing — key for FL and TX SHB management
- More secure harvest tube connection — reduces honey leakage
- Further improved timber joinery
- Identical core Flow Frame mechanism to all generations
SkogHive Flow Hive Compatible System
Best Value — Ships USA- Identical tap-and-harvest Flow Frame mechanism
- Western red cedar — superior heat and UV resistance for US climates
- Food-grade BPA-free certification — FDA 21 CFR Part 177
- Screened bottom board included as standard
- Ships all 50 US states — 5–10 business days
What Is Included in a Flow Hive 2 Complete Kit?
What components does a genuine Flow Hive 2 complete kit contain?
A genuine Flow Hive 2 complete kit includes all of the following — verify each component is present before purchasing from any supplier, as some listings omit components to achieve a lower headline price:
- Brood box — 8-frame (for 4-frame Flow super) or 10-frame (for 6-frame Flow super) deep Langstroth body with frames and foundation.
- Flow super — the upper honey super containing Flow Frames. Available in 4-frame or 6-frame configuration.
- Flow Frames — 4 or 6 food-grade BPA-free polymer frames depending on configuration. The most critical component — verify food-grade certification.
- Screened bottom board — essential in California, Texas, Florida, and all warm US states. Always verify this is included — it is the most commonly omitted component in incomplete kits.
- Queen excluder — separates the brood box from the Flow super. Metal grid, correctly oriented with grid facing down toward the brood box.
- Inner cover — provides ventilation and access between the Flow super and outer cover.
- Outer cover (roof) — weather protection. Metal-topped outer cover preferred for US southern states.
- Flow Key — the harvest tool used to operate the Flow Frame mechanism.
- Tubing and caps — food-grade silicone harvest tube and end caps for the drainage port.
The screened bottom board is the component most commonly omitted from lower-priced Flow Hive 2 compatible listings — and the one that matters most for beekeepers in California, Texas, and Florida. A solid bottom board in these states creates heat management, SHB, and Varroa monitoring problems from day one. Always confirm in writing that the screened bottom board is included before purchasing any Flow Hive 2 kit.
Flow Hive 2 Configurations: 4-Frame vs 6-Frame for US Beekeepers
Which Flow Hive 2 configuration is right for your US beekeeping situation?
- 8-frame Langstroth brood box
- 4 Flow Frames — 12–16 lbs per harvest
- Smaller footprint — urban backyards
- Colony of 40,000+ bees to fill effectively
- Recommended for first-year beekeepers
- Upgradeable to 6-frame in year two
- 10-frame Langstroth brood box
- 6 Flow Frames — 18–25 lbs per harvest
- Standard suburban/rural lot
- Colony of 50,000+ bees to fill effectively
- Better for established colonies and production goals
- More honey per harvest — better ROI long term
For most US first-year beekeepers: start with the 4-frame configuration. A nucleus colony in its first season rarely fills a 6-frame super before the nectar flow ends — an empty 6-frame super sitting on a growing colony is a lost opportunity and an SHB risk in Florida and Texas. Start with 4-frame, build colony strength, and add or upgrade to 6-frame in year two when the colony is established and productive.
A 6-frame Flow Hive 2 compatible system during harvest — honey flowing by gravity from food-grade BPA-free Flow Frame cells through the silicone tube into harvest jars. The complete harvest of a full 6-frame super takes 20–40 minutes with no extractor, no frame removal, and minimal colony disturbance.
SkogHive vs Flow Hive 2: Which Offers Better Value for US Beekeepers?
How does SkogHive's compatible system compare to the Flow Hive 2 on every dimension that matters?
| Feature | SkogHive Compatible | Flow Hive 2 | Flow Hive 2+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harvest mechanism | Identical — tap-and-harvest | Original tap-and-harvest | Original tap-and-harvest |
| Food-grade certification | FDA 21 CFR Part 177 ✓ | Certified ✓ | Certified ✓ |
| Timber species | Western red cedar | Cedar or pine | Cedar or pine |
| Screened bottom board | Included — standard | Included | Included |
| Side inspection window | Included | Not included | Included |
| Price — 6-frame complete | $450–$700 | $599–$749 | $699–$849 |
| Ships to all 50 US states | Yes — 5–10 days | Yes — longer from AU | Yes — longer from AU |
| Honey per full harvest | 18–25 lbs (6-frame) | 18–25 lbs (6-frame) | 18–25 lbs (6-frame) |
| Texas ag tax exemption | Qualifies ✓ | Qualifies ✓ | Qualifies ✓ |
| Best for | Best value — US market focus | Original Gen 2 brand buyers | Current generation brand buyers |
USDA and FDA Food Safety Standards for Flow Hive 2 Systems
What US regulatory standards apply to the Flow Hive 2 and compatible systems?
About SkogHive: SkogHive is a Sweden-based beekeeping equipment brand offering Flow Hive compatible hive systems, protective gear, and accessories for beekeepers worldwide. Our Flow Hive 2 compatible systems deliver the same automatic tap-and-harvest experience as the original Flow Hive 2 — with western red cedar construction, food-grade BPA-free certified Flow Frames, and complete kit pricing that makes quality beekeeping accessible to more US beekeepers. Learn more at skoghive.com →
Get the Flow Hive 2 Experience with SkogHive
Same tap-and-harvest mechanism. Cedar construction. Food-grade certified. Better value. Ships to all 50 US states in 5–10 business days.
Shop SkogHive Flow Hive 2 Compatible →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Flow Hive 2?
The Flow Hive 2 is the second generation of the original Flow Hive automatic honey harvesting system developed in Australia. It uses food-grade BPA-free Flow Frame cells that bees fill with honey — turning the Flow Key splits the cells and honey drains by gravity into jars in 20–40 minutes. Improvements over Gen 1 include stronger timber joinery, improved inner cover, and better hardware. It has since been updated to the Flow Hive 2+ with a side inspection window and better rear panel sealing.
What is the difference between Flow Hive 2 and Flow Hive 2+?
Flow Hive 2+ adds: side observation window (check capping without opening hive), improved rear access panel sealing (key for SHB management in FL and TX), more secure harvest tube connection, and further improved timber joinery. The core Flow Frame tap-and-harvest mechanism is functionally identical across both generations — the improvements are in construction quality and ergonomic details.
How much does a Flow Hive 2 cost in the USA?
Flow Hive 2 (Gen 2): $599–$749 for a 6-frame complete kit. Flow Hive 2+: $699–$849 for a 6-frame complete kit. SkogHive Flow Hive 2 compatible system: $450–$700 for a 6-frame complete kit — same harvest mechanism, western red cedar, food-grade certified, ships all 50 US states. Typical saving vs original brand: $150–$250 for equivalent configuration.
Is the Flow Hive 2 worth it?
Yes — for beekeepers who want automatic tap-and-harvest convenience and are prepared to invest in quality equipment. For US beekeepers seeking the same experience at better value, SkogHive compatible systems offer the identical harvest mechanism with western red cedar construction and food-grade certification at $150–$250 less than an equivalent original brand configuration. The honey harvesting experience is functionally identical.
Is the Flow Hive 2 compatible with existing Langstroth equipment?
Yes — the Flow Hive 2 uses standard 8-frame or 10-frame Langstroth brood box dimensions. The Flow super can be added to any existing standard Langstroth brood box of the correct dimension. SkogHive's Flow super add-on is similarly compatible with existing Langstroth equipment — allowing upgrade to tap-and-harvest without replacing the brood box.
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