I think stove pellets (which I use to heat my home) have some sort of petroleum-based glue holding them together. This does not present a problem in a pellet stove, but is not good for bees. The grilling pellets which I use because I can light the smoker once and it will continue smoking for hours, as you said. Once I forgot to plug the nozzle like I normally do to extinguish it for the day and found it still smoking the following morning! If I have to do just a quick job, I use a second smoker which is reserved for pine needles. I have 20 colonies so use the pellets when I am out there in the apiary for a number of hours. But new beekeepers with only a few colonies probably should stick with an option other than pellets. On a related note, I use a propane torch to light my pellets. The trick is, though, get the pellets lit and then let it burn for several minutes before closing it up. Also, does your smoker become difficult to light? Turn it over and dump out the ash. The smoker is probably becoming clogged and the air cannot flow from the air intake at the bottom because of all built-up ash. P.S. Around here we call mountain mint "bee crack."

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Dave Maloney Good point about the stove pellets. Never gave that any thought but I burn wood for heat. Also good tip about dumping out the ashes as they do build up and block air flow. Your right, the mint is like crack to the bees, they can't get enough! Did you know plants with square stems are in the mint family?

@davemaloneyvideos

4 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees I will have to check out the square stems in my garden. I did not know that.

@russellkoopman3004

4 жыл бұрын

I made wood pellets and there is no glue or petroleum products needed. The lignin in wood gives the pellet its tightness. It takes a 500 hp electric motor to produce pellets and the friction of pushing wood sawdust through a 1/4" hole for 2 1/2" produces the heat. A few producers have used corn oil to help reduce the friction but I don't think it is a common practice.

@russellkoopman3004

4 жыл бұрын

Wood and cotton has lignin. Iron your shirt to take out the wrinkles is similar to making pellets.

I agree pine needles are awesome as a fuel, if you have access. However, I caution anyone using the pine shavings to be careful. They have a great tendency to get way too hot way too quick, which really pisses the bees off instead of calming them. TSC sells pine pellets for horse bedding, or something like that. It's $6 for a 40lb bag, which is very affordable as a smoker fuel. I have found they work infinitely better than the shavings. They aren't quite as long lasting as hardwood pellets, but I've left the smoker out one evening and it was still producing smoke in the morning. But, as stated about other pine options, they really gum up the smoker. I'm really interested in trying the cardboard option, or maybe even experimenting with paper bags.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Matt Peneguy There is a trick I use to keep the smoke cool when I use pine products. I will put green grass on top of the fuel after it's lite. It really seems to make a huge difference.

@mattpeneguy7812

4 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees Absolutely! Putting grass on top of whatever smoker fuel you use helps, unless you use too much. It also collects some of that sap (or at least I believe it does). I'm just too lazy to bother most times and just use the pine pellets by themselves.

@larsv1377

4 жыл бұрын

Matt Peneguy corrugated cardboard when you roll it has air passages thru it that will help the smoke from the fire on the bottom pass through. Rolled paper bags probably won't work as well,

I tend to always throw a handful of smoker pellets in the smoker no matter what fuel I'm using. Maybe it's mental but i feel it adds a long burning element to whatever else I'm using - usually pine straw. I've seen others light their smoker with a torch on the side like that - good to know it won't hurt it long term. I'll give that a try this week.

@JCsBees

3 жыл бұрын

Have you tried adding pine cones to your pine straw? I do that a lot and it adds a longer burn. As for the torch on the side of smoker, it will make the area you heat thinner over a period of time but it works great.

@joetripp123

2 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees almost one year update... I still light my smoker like you showed us. Still using pine straw with an occasional pine cone. Easy peasy.

Hi, Jason, I discovered the trick of lighting my smoker with a torch a few months back. Once you get the smoker going it will burn as long as it has fuel. Really liked your section on pollinator plants. I do a lot of pollinator planting around my place and picked up some tips from you. Great videos, keep it up! Thanks Stu

Thanks for the video. It was interesting seeing and learning the names of the flowers. A topic you may want do , possibly on, grazing acres which by the way is another great channel, is grass and forb Identification. I have pastures with many different types of plants but when i ask the county agent what they are called he doesn't know most of time his answer usually is "I don't know the name but caws eat it." For anybody who hasn't seen GRAZING ACRES, you ought to check it out. It's entertaining even if you don't have cattle.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Allen Ferry I like the video suggestion, thanks! I know quite a few plants so I could see how this video would be helpful. Sad how your county agent doesn't know plants or at least how to research them. Glad you enjoy my farm channel. I hope to release a new video there very soon so keep your eyes open for it.

Dry grass clippings work great too !

Jay, great video. I am a woodturner and I use wood shavings all the time. All my shaving are dried hard woods such as cherry, ash, some oak and walnut. seems to work great and last a long time. I haven't used you way of lighting the smoker; your way of lighting, I like. I am sure to try it the next time I'm in to my bees. Thank for your videos and the info you pass on.

LIGHTING THE SMOKER FROM THE SIDE WITH TORCH IS ABSOLUTELY GENIUS

Another one that your cattle would love and the bees too is yellow sweet clover. I don't plant it because not good for horses. And that's where i sale most of my hay. Save on suger plant some buckwheat. Grows faster and can still plant it in July.

Thanks for posting this Jason. This is my second year and I have had trouble keeping my smoker lit. This is the second video on smokers you posted and I learned on both. This was very helpful. Thanks again Mike

@JCsBees

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it helped!

You might try a Korean Bee Bee tree. Very drought tolerant, no pest problems, and get about 25 ft tall. They bloom in late July and early August when not much else is. Bees will go nuts on the tree.

Nice tips! I usually use the light and fill method, but sometimes I would end up with some damp material so I would use a very very small torch head to light from inside the damper/vent hole. Heating up the outside is a great idea that I will have to try for sure. Might get a little iridescent coloration after awhile, but who cares! The Bobo bush is a Hydrangea. I like them a lot too and have them planted under the eve overhang of my roof to help soak up water and keep my basement as dry as I can. I do however need to cut them down to nearly ground level every few years, or I would never see out my south windows again! lol. Looks like you have a great variety of flowers for the pollinators! One of my favorites is the purple Astor. Sometimes it would be so loaded the stems would be bent over as if Tarzan was swinging on them! Thanks for sharing JC!

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Alex Paulson This lighting trick saves a ton of time. I no longer mess with the old method of lighting it. lol The wife told me it was a Hydrangea when I was editing the video. Funny thing is I dug it out of the ditch on a dirt road 10 years ago. I seen it bloom one year and returned over Fall to get it. It's done well ever since. We just got another and was told coffee grounds dumped around the bush would change the flower color. Ever heard that? What color is yours?

@alexpaulson4597

4 жыл бұрын

Nice find! It looks like it's doing really good. I wonder how it started growing in a ditch in the first place... Mine have been on the property for a good 20 years and are thick, I actually tighten up the chain on my chainsaw and use that to trim them, lol! I find that when I do prune them down in the Fall they won't bloom the first year after but like I say, I'd be in Hydrangea prison if I didn't do it every so often. Mine are white as well. I know you can buy different color ones though I have never heard of coffee grounds changing their color. However, it does make me wonder about sprinkling down some Kool-Aid! haha!

@russellkoopman3004

4 жыл бұрын

@@alexpaulson4597 Adding an acid to the soil will change the color if you are in alkaline soil.

Jason, I tried this smoker trick this morning. Works great! So much easier than lighting newspaper on the bottom, pumping the hell out of the bellows and feeding the smoker! Thanks!

Couple other "pro" tips: burlap bags from coffee houses (usually free) instead of the cardboard. Burns long and has less glue than cardboard. I use rubber bands. Also, you can layer dried fuels with some green grass to cool the smoke. I will put 2-3 inches of dry, then an inch of green, and repeat 2-3 times. The green usually smokes off all the water and burns in the end, but slows down and cools the burn.

Thanks for your videos. As a new beekeeper, your information is so valuable!

Thank you so much for the tips; will make lighting smokers so much quicker and easier. I enjoy your approach and your mannerism, so try to catch each video. Great job

As ALWAYS Jason, GREAT, HELPFUL beekeeping info! Like y'all we have an abundance of long leaf pine needles for fuel, but yes creosote will also become ABUNDANT! Awesome pollinator forage gardens. Sure ya also sow Buckwheat early Spring and Autumn. Here in Southern Appalachia if we still have Buckwheat flowering when the Sourwood flow commences the Buckwheat will darken the Sourwood honey. Buckwheat nectar makes for good honey, but many are not fond of dark honey. And Jason not sure if you've ever heard of a Korean Evodia ( aka Bee Bee Tree ), but they are a great nectar source as well. Check em out on KZread. Thanks so much brother for all you put out there for us and the lil pollinators we all adore! I don't care what everyone else says, for a Yankee your an OUTSTANDING SOUL! 😂👊

I tried the cardboard cake today and it stayed lit the whole 3 1/2 hrs I was in the bee yard. Thx for the tip! 🐝🌸🌼🌻🌹

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Primitive Daisy Awesome! Now you'll have to start saving cardboard so you can make a bunch.

Jason, Thanks for the tips on lighting the smoker. I used the trick of filling it full and then hitting the side of it with my torch. Worked like a charm. It stayed lit through two hives and was still going when I plugged it up to put it out. Love the tips you give us .

Thanks for the smoker tip. such a simple solution. I believe the big white flowers are hydrangeas. Some varieties are great for pollinators. I am planting several of these for next year

Took a quick PCAT the bees yesterday your queen is laying brood in the second box looks like 3 or 4 frames worth, was going to steal some frames and stick in the freezer for spring but when saw full frames of capped brood in second box decided not to, I bailed on the inspection at that point , the club members are trying to talk me into purchasing a second Queen and make split which makes me very nervous, what do you think? My original thinking was to build up comb and honey for next year and stay away from making splits

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@barry-bee- homesteading ! I wouldn't make splits if it were my decision. You would just be taking from your one colony and I don't see that going well since they need to build up for winter. I seen your email just been busy and haven't had time to reply but I will very soon. Glad the queen is doing well. Have you got to see her yet?

Been keeping bees for a few years now and the smoker lighting tip was a revelation! Thanks for posting it. It worked beautifully.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Fred Kimmelstiel Awesome! It's nice to know I helped an experience beekeeper.

Great video! Thank you for information!

Only thing I don't like about those wood pellets is they tend to roll out if the smoker is tilted too much. Had burning coals roll into the hive in the past. Haven't had much issues since my brother stopped helping though. He'd wear shorts and tend to over smoke them.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Bryan’s Bee Yard I know how to fix that issue with the pellets. Just stick some screen in the tip of your smokers then the pellets can fall out anymore. You will have to clean the screen time to time though. I've had this issues before too.

Tried the cardboard idea but it smelled like Chillicothe. Tried cow pies but it smelled like Chillicothe. Went back to pine needles. The torch is a really good idea. Thanks

Dedication says a lot. All the best.

I have five hives that have a honey super each, that have no completely capped honey on them. They have been this way since I harvested on the 3rd of July. Should I leave this on till the Golden Rod flow, or should I carry a box off one at a time away, and let them rob it out? They are still above an excluder. We have about another month till the Golden Rod flow starts. Thanks for everything.

Yes the driveway and all those things look very familiar😀 finally somebody showed me a good way to light a smoker, thank you

Thanks Jason love your videos!

I use this same method and it works great.

Love the flowers Jason. Thanks for all the help.

Thanks for sharing. Used the smoker trick today; worked like a charm.

Hi, if you still have your white flowering bush, you called it a bobo bush, I believe it's typically known in the UK, as a Hydrangea. It may be known as something else in the US.

@JCsBees

2 жыл бұрын

@Rabid avid Yes, we still have it and you are correct on the name. I think "Bo-Bo" is another name for it but not sure. Thanks!

Very interesting about the flowers and also about the cardboard for the smoker! Thanks for all that info!

This is the best tip I have ever got. Thanks !!

Thanks for the video. learned a lot. Just wondering, for the cardboard cakes, do you just put one in the smoker and that's all you need? You just light it then? also, about how long do they burn? Thanks

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

One cake is usually enough to smoke for several hours. It's probably easier to light them drop it into the smoker unless your using a torch.

Jason, I also use pine. I take a torch and burn off the build up, but keep it away from the bellows

Hey Jason, we have always called the one you referred to as bo bo a snowball bush

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Dennis Anthony Here it is www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/bobo-panicle-hydrangea-hydrangea-paniculata

Awesome videos Jason! I might have missed it in the video but do you lite your cardboard rolls with the blowtorch as well?

Oh JC I know al about filming and getting to the edit to find it was all a waste of time. Eventually, you learn to treble check stuff lol

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@UK Here We Grow Just checked out your channel, very nice. Subbed!

@simplifygardening

4 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees Cheers JC appreciate the support mate

Jason Check out the wildflower mixes at Rural King ,decent prices on them

Enjoyed your video Jason!

I have rose of Sharon and the only 5hing works it is bumble bees and Japanese beetles

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Brad R I'd guess the honeybees have another source of nectar that is better if your not seeing them on the Rose Of Sharon.

Hi Jason and thanks. Can you sometime, in Your Busy schedule, share with us your method of storing good comb without it being destroyed by SHB and wax moths. I live in PA and would like a pros view on this that lives in my area's type weather. Thanks.

Wow, nice tip on lighting the smoker on the side! I'm going to try it today. Thanks!

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Linda Mehlenbacher I'd love to hear your thoughts after you try it. Thanks!

@lindamehlenbacher5293

4 жыл бұрын

That is amazing! That worked great! I tried it today. The one thing I hated the most was getting that darn smoker going and staying lit....no more! Thanks so much for that tip!

Interesting video thanks Peter Australia

The Bush you called a bo bo Bush is what we call a snow ball Bush here in se ky. Good video thanks

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Cornbread & Bees Here it is www.provenwinners.com/plants/hydrangea/bobo-panicle-hydrangea-hydrangea-paniculata

@cornbreadbees5385

4 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees the snow ball Bush we have looks very similar but the blooms do not turn pink as they mature. You can look at the snowball Bush on garden direct.com. they look almost identical lol the bobo Bush fooled me

Great video

on the cardboard cake how long do they usually last and do you get a good fire going in smoker before adding the cake? thanks

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@natserog They have lasted me several hours in the past. You just need to try one and see. I usually just light the cake and drop it in the smoker.

I pack empty toilet roles with pine needles then light one end drop in smoker, after it gets going good pack with what ever fuel I have.

"Id still make videos with one eye, id be out here like folks thats how you do it, and thats how Id do it. yeah..." had me laughing out loud!

@JCsBees

3 жыл бұрын

@Adam The Beekeeper Glad I was able to make you chuckle. A good laugh does everybody good.

I’ve had that and more happen when filming.🤭

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@HONEYBEE HIGHWAY The struggle is real my friend! lol

The white-topped flowering plant is called ...”Queen Anne’s Lace”...not sure if it’s utilized by the bees....you just did not mention it....so I was wondering....

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@ed devault When I was showing the mountain mint there was some Queen Anne's Lace close by. While editing the video I thought I should have mentioned it. Yes bees will work it if there is nothing else around.

Not only does a lot of heat make that stainless discolored, but it also makes it more brittle.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

Mine doesn't seem to be brittle and I have been doing it this way for a year.

@FloryJohann

4 жыл бұрын

@@JCsBees Great to hear. I am a maintenance guy and SS just does not hold up in heat applications. Regular steel does a way better job.

Cool smoker starter

Do you have a video one cleaning the smoker?🤣

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/mIZ9pKqfadjdabg.html

How do you like the rubber bellows?

@JCsBees

3 жыл бұрын

Love them. I've been using them for about 6 years now. They squeeze a lot easier, the only issue is they don't last as long as leather ones.

Awesome.

Thanks

great video my smoker is an import not sure if it will withstand the outside propane torch.

In time the expanding hot metal will crack. ( 2 years ) A steroid tape from a dermatologist will clear that right up.

If you don't have a propane torch... how would you light the cardboard log?

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

Maybe dip it in a little beeswax and light the wax. Worth a try. Other than that I guess you would light it from the bottom then drop it in the smoker. You can get pen torches on Amazon pretty cheap though.

That bobo bush? It’s called hydrangea

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

Jason Chrisman, My name is ZacharYah Pinkerton and I just created a PMA called Charitable Miracle Farm. I would like to talk to you about sponsoring the CMA. What is the best way to reach you?

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Esoteric Spiritual Keys of Ascension Email is probably best honeycomb_hill@yahoo.com

The smoker was still smoking

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

Like I said, it's a great little trick. You should try it!

I use marijuana in my smoker, bees hate it but I'm super chill while getting my ass stung off. lol, no not really.

@JCsBees

4 жыл бұрын

@Brent Oh, I just never know what your gonna say but I look forward to it. lol I think your supposed to use the marijuana before you light your smoker. But I guess if that were the case you may not even make it out to the bee yard, you be chillin' watching the smoker. lol