Product Overview
8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit – 2 Deep + 2 Medium, Assembled
A Complete 8-Frame Hive Equipment Package with Room to Grow
The 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit (2 Deep + 2 Medium, Assembled) — Wax Dipped or Painted brings together the hive equipment, protective gear, tools, and educational resources needed to help a beekeeper prepare for a new colony. With two assembled deep brood boxes and two assembled medium honey supers, this kit provides equipment for both brood development and future honey storage.
Instead of purchasing the major hive components individually, you can start with a coordinated 8-frame Langstroth equipment package. Choose painted white or wax-dipped woodenware, select your bottom board and frame options, and prepare your hive before your bees arrive. Live bees are sold separately.
Lappe's Bee Supply comes from a commercial beekeeping family with experience dating back to 1978. Since 2017, we've served beekeepers with equipment and practical beekeeping education. This kit reflects the importance of having the right equipment available as a colony develops, without assuming every included hive box needs to be installed on the first day.
8 Frame Honey Master Kit at a Glance
- Product: 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit
- SKU: BGNK-2448
- Hive system: Standard 8-frame Langstroth
- Brood equipment: Two assembled 8-frame deep hive bodies
- Honey storage equipment: Two assembled 8-frame medium honey supers
- Woodenware finish: Painted white or wax dipped
- Bottom board: Choice of solid or screened
- Frames: Triple-wax-coated one-piece plastic frames or wooden frames with triple-wax-coated foundation
- Additional equipment: Telescoping lid, inner cover, queen excluder, feeder, smoker, hive tools, protective equipment, and educational resources
- Assembly: Hive boxes arrive assembled
- Live bees: Not included
What's Included in the 8 Frame Honey Master Kit?
The 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit includes the major hive equipment, protective clothing, inspection tools, and educational resources for managing one standard 8-frame Langstroth colony.
Hive Equipment
- 2 Deep Brood Boxes (9-5/8"): Assembled hive bodies for brood rearing and colony food reserves.
- 2 Medium Honey Supers (6-5/8"): Assembled hive bodies for surplus honey storage as the colony develops.
- 16 Deep Frames: Choose triple-wax-coated one-piece plastic frames or wooden frames with triple-wax-coated foundation for the two deep brood boxes.
- 16 Medium Frames: Choose triple-wax-coated one-piece plastic frames or wooden frames with triple-wax-coated foundation for the two medium honey supers.
- 1 Bottom Board: Choose solid or screened.
- 1 Inner Cover: Fits beneath the outer cover.
- 1 Telescoping Outer Cover: Provides exterior weather protection.
- 1 Queen Excluder: Helps restrict the queen from entering the honey supers when properly installed and used.
Beekeeping Tools and Feeding Equipment
- 1 In-Hive Frame Feeder: For providing supplemental feed when appropriate for the colony.
- 1 Bee Smoker: Helps manage bee behavior during hive inspections.
- Smoker Fuel: Included for use with the smoker.
- 1 Hive Tool: For separating hive components and lifting frames during inspections.
- 1 Bee Brush: For gently moving bees from frames and equipment when needed.
Protective Clothing
- 1 Bee Suit or Bee Jacket: Select your preferred protective clothing option and garment size when ordering.
- 1 Pair of Beekeeping Gloves: Select your glove size when ordering.
Protective clothing reminder: Beekeeping suits, jackets, and gloves help provide coverage during hive inspections but cannot guarantee protection against all bee stings.
Educational Resources
- Beekeeping Book: Provides educational information to help beginning beekeepers learn about hive management and colony care.
- Beekeeping Magazine Subscription: Choose between American Bee Journal and Bee Culture when ordering for additional beekeeping education, industry information, and seasonal management guidance.
Before Ordering: Select your preferred woodenware finish (painted or wax-dipped), bottom board (solid or screened), frame construction, protective clothing, garment size, glove size, and beekeeping magazine subscription (American Bee Journal or Bee Culture). Review your selections carefully to ensure the kit matches your preferences.
Important: Live bees and a queen are not included and must be purchased separately.
Product Specifications
| Product | 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit (2 Deep + 2 Medium, Assembled) |
| Brand | Lappe's Bee Supply |
| SKU | BGNK-2448 |
| Hive System | Standard 8-frame Langstroth |
| Deep Brood Boxes | Two, 9-5/8-inch depth |
| Medium Honey Supers | Two, 6-5/8-inch depth |
| Deep Frames | 16 |
| Medium Frames | 16 |
| Woodenware Assembly | Assembled |
| Woodenware Finish | Painted white or wax-dipped, selected when ordering |
| Bottom Board | Solid or screened, selected when ordering |
| Frame Construction | Triple-wax-coated one-piece plastic frames or wooden frames with triple-wax-coated foundation, selected when ordering |
| Queen Excluder | One plastic queen excluder included |
| Feeder | One in-hive frame feeder included |
| Protective Clothing | Bee suit or bee jacket, with selected garment size |
| Gloves | One pair, selected glove size |
| Educational Resources | Beekeeping book and magazine subscription |
| Intended Colony Capacity | Equipment for establishing and managing one colony |
| Live Bees or Queen Included | No |
Which Honey Master Kit Options Should You Choose?
The Honey Master kit offers several configuration choices. Understanding the differences can help you select equipment that matches your beekeeping preferences.
Solid vs. Screened Bottom Board
Solid bottom board: Provides a continuous floor beneath the colony. This is a traditional hive-bottom configuration.
Screened bottom board: Uses a mesh floor that can support airflow and certain Varroa mite monitoring practices, depending on the board's design and accessories.
Which should you choose? Consider your ventilation preferences, seasonal management approach, and whether you intend to use a screened bottom board for mite monitoring. A screened bottom board does not replace a complete Varroa management program.
Wooden Frames vs. One-Piece Plastic Frames
Wooden frames with triple-wax-coated foundation: Use traditional wooden frame construction with separate foundation. They are suitable for beekeepers who prefer conventional wooden frames.
One-piece plastic frames: Combine the frame and foundation into one molded component, eliminating separate wooden frame parts.
Choose the available frame configuration that best matches your equipment preferences. Always use deep frames in deep brood boxes and medium frames in medium honey supers.
Painted White vs. Wax-Dipped Woodenware
Painted white: Offers a traditional white hive appearance with a painted exterior.
Wax dipped: Offers a wax-applied finish and a different exterior appearance.
Both finishes should be inspected periodically for weather-related wear. Select the finish that best matches your appearance and maintenance preferences.
Why Choose a Two-Deep, Two-Medium Hive Kit?
The main advantage of this Honey Master configuration is having brood equipment and honey-storage equipment available together. You can begin with a hive arrangement suited to your colony's current strength and add the included boxes as the bees develop.
Two Deep Brood Boxes for Colony Development
A deep brood box is a Langstroth hive body commonly used for brood rearing and colony food storage. Having two deep boxes available allows the beekeeper to expand brood space when colony population, comb development, and available resources justify additional room.
Two Medium Supers for Honey Storage
A honey super is a hive box generally placed above the brood area to provide space for bees to store surplus honey. The two included medium supers provide honey-storage expansion equipment without requiring a separate initial purchase of those boxes.
Including honey supers does not mean a new colony will immediately produce harvestable honey. Honey production depends on colony strength, nectar availability, weather, seasonal conditions, and management.
Assembled Woodenware Reduces Initial Preparation
The deep brood boxes and medium supers arrive assembled, reducing the amount of woodenware construction required before setting up the hive. You will still need to arrange the hive components, check the frames and covers, and prepare the equipment for your bees.
What Lappe's Checks When Preparing Your Kit
When preparing this Honey Master kit, our team checks that the selected woodenware finish, bottom board, frame configuration, and other applicable options match the order.
We also check that the included equipment is appropriate for the selected 8-frame hive configuration.
Is an 8-Frame Hive Right for You?
An 8-frame Langstroth hive may be a good choice for beekeepers who want a standard hive format with fewer frames in each box than a comparable 10-frame system. Fully loaded 8-frame boxes generally weigh less than comparable fully loaded 10-frame boxes, although actual lifting weight depends on the contents.
| Consideration | 8-Frame Equipment | 10-Frame Equipment |
| Frames per box | 8 | 10 |
| Fully loaded box weight | Generally lighter when comparing equivalent boxes and contents | Generally heavier because of the additional frames and contents |
| Comb capacity per box | Less capacity per corresponding box | More capacity per corresponding box |
| Expansion | May require additional boxes to achieve comparable total comb capacity | More frames available within each box |
| Equipment matching | Requires matching 8-frame hive components | Requires matching 10-frame hive components |
Equipment compatibility: This kit uses standard 8-frame Langstroth equipment. When purchasing additional hive bodies, frames, covers, or bottom boards, choose components designed for the 8-frame system.
When Another Beekeeping Kit Might Be a Better Fit
The 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit is a good option for beekeepers who want a complete 8-frame Langstroth setup with two deep brood boxes, two medium honey supers, protective clothing, and essential hive tools. However, another setup may better match your existing equipment, lifting preferences, or beekeeping goals.
- If you prefer a 10-frame hive: A 10-frame beginner kit may be a better choice if you want greater comb capacity per box or already use compatible 10-frame Langstroth equipment.
- If you already own beekeeping tools and protective gear: Purchasing individual hive components may be more practical than buying another complete kit with a smoker, hive tools, gloves, and protective clothing.
- If you are just getting started: Compare beginner beekeeping kits to find the equipment package that best matches your experience, budget, and plans for colony expansion.
Compare your options: Explore the 10 Frame Beginner Beekeeping Starter Kit or browse Lappe's selection of Beginning Beekeeping Kits to find the setup that best fits your needs.
How to Set Up Your Honey Master Hive
Begin with a hive configuration appropriate for your colony's current size and development. The additional brood box and honey supers can be installed as the colony grows and requires more space.
- Choose the hive location. Select an appropriate location with stable support and practical access for inspections.
- Position the bottom board. Place your selected solid or screened bottom board on the hive support.
- Install the initial brood box. Position an assembled deep hive body on the bottom board.
- Check the frames. Confirm that the selected frames are properly seated and correctly arranged.
- Install the covers. Fit the inner cover and telescoping outer cover as appropriate for the initial hive configuration.
- Check the hive assembly. Make sure the boxes are aligned, the hive is stable, and the entrance is unobstructed.
- Prepare for the bees. Have your live bees, installation plan, and any needed feeding supplies ready before installation.
When Should You Add the Second Deep Box and Honey Supers?
Hive expansion depends on colony population, brood development, drawn comb, available storage space, and nectar conditions. Use the following considerations to determine when additional equipment may be needed.
- Second deep brood box: Evaluate brood development, frame occupancy, drawn comb, colony population, and available space.
- First medium honey super: Consider colony strength, existing storage space, and the local nectar flow.
- Second medium honey super: Add further storage space when colony activity and available capacity justify it.
Spring installation, summer expansion, fall preparation, and winter management vary by climate and colony condition. A fixed calendar date cannot determine when every colony needs another box.
What Else Do You Need to Start Beekeeping?
Before installing your colony, arrange for a package of bees or a nucleus colony suited to your hive setup and local availability. You should also have any necessary supplemental feeding and Varroa monitoring supplies ready.
Additional ongoing supplies may include:
- Supplemental bee feed and feeding supplies when colony conditions require them
- Varroa mite monitoring and management equipment or supplies
- Additional 8-frame hive bodies, supers, and frames as the colony expands
- Replacement or maintenance supplies for hive equipment and protective clothing
Beekeeping requires ongoing colony inspections and management. The equipment in this kit supports those activities but does not replace the need to learn about bee biology, nutrition, queen performance, pests, and seasonal colony care.
New to beekeeping? Explore the Lappe's Bee Supply Beekeeping Blog for additional information about hive management and seasonal beekeeping.
Care and Maintenance of Your Hive Equipment
Routine equipment inspections help identify wear, damage, and conditions that could interfere with normal hive operation.
- Woodenware: Check for loose joints, warping, damaged edges, moisture deterioration, and poor alignment between boxes.
- Exterior finishes: Inspect painted and wax-dipped surfaces for weather-related deterioration. Maintain painted exterior surfaces when needed.
- Frames: Watch for damage, excessive burr comb, and buildup that interferes with normal frame removal.
- Covers and bottom boards: Check fit and condition, including signs of persistent water intrusion.
- Frame feeder: Inspect for leaks, contamination, and damage before use.
- Protective clothing: Check fabric, seams, openings, and closures before working bees.
- Unused equipment: Store in conditions that minimize moisture exposure and pest damage.
Previously used comb equipment may require additional protection against wax moths and other equipment pests during storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit include live bees?
No. The 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit includes hive equipment, beekeeping tools, protective gear, and educational resources, but live bees must be purchased separately.
Are the hive boxes already assembled?
Yes. The kit includes two assembled 8-frame deep brood boxes and two assembled 8-frame medium honey supers. You will still need to arrange the hive components and prepare the hive for installation.
Can I use this kit with 10-frame Langstroth equipment?
No. The kit is designed for standard 8-frame Langstroth equipment. Size-dependent 8-frame and 10-frame hive components are not interchangeable, so future expansion equipment should match the 8-frame format.
Do I need to install all four hive boxes when my bees arrive?
No. The amount of hive equipment installed should match the colony's current strength, drawn comb, available space, and seasonal conditions. The additional deep box and medium supers can be added when colony development justifies expansion.
What is the difference between painted and wax-dipped woodenware?
Painted white woodenware has a conventional painted exterior, while wax-dipped woodenware uses a wax-applied finish. Both finishes require periodic inspection, and neither guarantees a particular equipment lifespan.
Does the kit include equipment for honey production?
Yes. The kit includes two assembled 8-frame medium honey supers and a queen excluder for honey-storage management. However, it does not guarantee honey production, and separate harvesting or extracting equipment may be needed when honey is ready to harvest.
Is the Honey Master kit suitable for a beginning beekeeper?
The Honey Master kit may suit a beginning beekeeper who wants assembled 8-frame Langstroth equipment, basic beekeeping tools, protective gear, and room for future hive expansion. Beginners will still need live bees, ongoing colony-management supplies, and practical beekeeping knowledge.
What should I select before ordering the kit?
Review the painted white or wax-dipped woodenware finish, solid or screened bottom board, available frame options, and any protective-clothing or other selections offered for the kit. Confirm that the 8-frame format matches your existing equipment or planned hive system.
Get Ready for Your Beekeeping Season
The 8 Frame Honey Master Beekeeping Kit provides a coordinated Langstroth hive setup with equipment for colony establishment, routine inspections, and future honey storage. With selectable finishes, frame configurations, and protective clothing, you can prepare a setup that fits your beekeeping preferences.
Choose your preferred kit options and get your equipment ready for your next beekeeping season.
