Best American Bee Smoker

[@YappyBeeman]

No lie....great smoker design. You will enjoy it once you get it....

[@628DirtRooster]

Only the best for my bees. Haha

[@soccersoma]

I just got my first two colonies today. Thank you for all the informative videos/content! This should be a fun adventure.

[@628DirtRooster]

Exciting!

[@beaverc2884]

The interview at the end of the video was a delightful addition. Thank you for taking the time to stop and visit with him, I wish there were more mom and pop stores around. Thank you again. 😊

[@628DirtRooster]

Yes indeed! They are a dying thing. I frequent them when I see one.

[@cathymontgomery7295]

I was going to ask if you were going to put a diesel sticker on your new smoker. Then you did. Thanks for being consistant and dependable. Happy Easter

[@628DirtRooster]

Gotta have the sticker. :)

[@WrenchHead]

I have my dad's old Dadant smoker. It's 30+ years old. The "commercial" smoker I also have with the rubber type bellow lasted 2 years. But that aligns with the quality of everything these days...

[@628DirtRooster]

I think that rubber bellows one comes from Mann Lake.

[@WrenchHead]

@@628DirtRooster that's a 10-4

[@bryanbetournay5557]

You were looking at all those abandon bricks weren’t you Randy! Lol. 😂 love the photos Thanks for sharing. 14:43

[@628DirtRooster]

Not gonna lie. I need some more sidewalk bricks.

[@ivettecolon9823]

Cute kitty 😁 Happy belated Easter and God bless 🙏❤️🐝🐝🐝

[@628DirtRooster]

Thank you.

[@MikeBarryBees]

"Cause it's just garbage"....😂😂😂 Definitely a cool stop at the end. You're almost like an Itchy Boots and Peter Santenello cross. Great video! Oh yea, the beekeeping thing...I saw that part too😀😀

[@628DirtRooster]

Itchy Boots has the dream job.

[@robertmathurin739]

​@@628DirtRoosterA Great Tour Of Mama AFRICA on A Honda Africa Twin that is,,😄,,🇱🇨👊🏽👍🏽❤️

[@pirateprospecting707]

Great video Randy!! Great to see your wife and your great pictures! Kinda hurting here in Md about the bridge collapse ☹️

[@628DirtRooster]

Hated to see that bridge go down. Terrible for the guys who died and their families.

[@Brian.N]

That was a cool store,thanks for sharing. Great video

[@628DirtRooster]

Gene's Market is the best!

[@orshaharorna.shahar8921]

not only do I not feed the girls, I build all the hives and frames myself from used wood - even my tools are DIY, including the smoker I made 3 years ago from a coffee can and it still works!

[@628DirtRooster]

I'm not much of a penny pincher with most things but I do love homemade tools and equipment when done right.

[@paulcollin1398]

Nice one Rooster 👍. It's just about warm enough in Devon uk to look at our bees

[@628DirtRooster]

It's comfortable here lately. It'll be hot soon though.

[@GEEZBEEZ]

Nothing better than a Dadant smoker they are worth the money. Your bees look good. Loved the photos and Gene’s market in Clarksdale. You do a great job setting a mood with your photography. Liked the music too. Thanks for the video. Take care.

[@628DirtRooster]

Might have to make another photography trip across OK some time soon.

[@kathyhathaway8823]

What a great video an getting to pop the tops on some hives . It really brakes my heart to see all those empty stores just sitting there collecting dust. I always enjoy your pictures at the end . What a GREAT Name on the side of that building also he seems like he is a happy man but still a sad story. Hope you an your family’s are doing well . Hope your new bee keeper works out great I hope you do not have to fire her . LOL. Thanks for all you do for the bee keeping family. Thanks

[@628DirtRooster]

She's been fired and rehired so many times at this point I don't even bother any more. I gave her an employee of the month certificate last summer. LOL

[@davidbrenneman9447]

I Enjoyed the Music & Pictures (also the Bees)

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks David

[@Doxymeister]

Nice repair job, right down to the diesel sticker. Loved the end footage of old rural Mississippi. Dude played us a couple of bars of Malaguena-style guitar--loved it! Thanks, Rooster!

[@628DirtRooster]

There's a lot to look at in those old towns.

[@johnbettiebishop6673]

Happy Resurrection Day to you and your family. Prayers for your Dad and Mom. Great video

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks for the prayers. Hope to see y'all some day soon.

[@dsummerscm]

“If you’re limber enough” 😂 It’s always nice to see Elizabeth on a video. What a cool market!

[@628DirtRooster]

I love old places like that. Reminds me of my childhood I guess.

[@SlugLamer]

Love your music choices for your vids - along with good editing makes your vids a pleasure to watch :)

[@628DirtRooster]

I appreciate that.

[@TennesseeTim73]

I have a metal trash can with a tight lid that I keep my smoker and extra fuel in. It won’t flair up inside the can. I still have my original one I got after you suggested it to me. Another great video

[@628DirtRooster]

That’s a great tip. I’ve seen some guys use the big ammo cans so they can keep their smoker in their vehicle without having to smell it.

[@evonnewhalen9794]

I enjoyed the video plus learned a lot about smokers. I loved the pictures along with the store tour. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@628DirtRooster]

Thank you Evonne

[@dannsherstone1037]

Thank you for the slide show! Love Gene's Market!

[@628DirtRooster]

My pleasure.

[@stanpatterson5033]

You manage to out-do yourself each and every time. Come for the Bee-roll footage, stay for the photography (and video) at the end. Always, nicely done !

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks so much Stan.

[@WrenchHead]

We have an old country store like that my way, but they also have auto parts, hardware and gas. It's rare they have to order something 😂

[@628DirtRooster]

That would be a good one to take a tour of.

[@WrenchHead]

@628DirtRooster we often joke it goes underground because, from the outside of the building it doesn't appear big enough to stock all that they have.

[@Steelhorse741]

DirtRooster, if you’re in Atlanta sometime look up Mt Paran Country Store.

[@tommychew6544]

I gotta ask, did you know that GoPro you gave to Mike was a bee magnet? LOL His bees attack that thing like it was a bear!

[@628DirtRooster]

Haha! I didn't know that, or maybe I did. wink wink LOL

[@GrammyMidwife]

Dadant 10” smoker is my favorite so far! Diesel fuel only! 🔥🔥

[@628DirtRooster]

Get the sticker! :)

[@HappyBees]

That ol boy could play the crap out of them guitar's 🎸 . Sad his friend passed I can relate to his illness. Beautiful artwork and tribute ❤️

[@628DirtRooster]

Next time I’m up there I’m going to see if I can get him to play a little more for us.

[@albigham66]

When you opened the first bee box, I saw a hive beetle. Won't Peppermint just feed the hive mites? Doesn't the febreeze pad work? I ❤❤❤ Leo. To me, gray, black, & orange kitties are so special!!! Give Leo & his sister, if you can, lots of ❤, hugs, & 💋💋 for me. I have an orange kitty named Phoenix. He'll be 19 this year. Trying to keep him here for as long as possible. He's the love of my life along with my adult kids!!

[@628DirtRooster]

Swiffer pads do work over time. Mites and beetles won't feed on the mints.

[@phillipduncan2497]

The store reminds me of the small town grocery store my folks owned when I was a kid in the early 1960s.

[@628DirtRooster]

I wish we were still in those days before Walmart pretty much killed the mom and pop store.

[@phillipduncan2497]

@@628DirtRooster I agree. Now with Amazon it is even worse.

[@garyRt23Bees]

Gonna miss that sticker! LOL Love the photo bomb kitty! LOLOLOL

[@628DirtRooster]

If I didn’t know any better, I’d think that Cat was trying to get on the videos. Every time I hit record, he shows up.

[@kevinogden4363]

I am treatment free, don't give the bees anything to supplement feed except when goldenrod is in bloom just so they brood up good before winter. Pull all supers and use double deeps. Lost 2 out of 17 coming out of winter. I was waiting for him to play, hope he gets a lot of business cause this video. I pray we all have a very prosperous bee season.

[@628DirtRooster]

I like going into winter heavy too.

[@penzame12]

I love my videos. And I really like your pictures... Putting them to music was fantastic. I really like the interview as well You're such a good guy Thanks for the entertainment

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@KajunHomestead]

That was an awesome old store at the end.

[@628DirtRooster]

Hope we sent him some extra business.

[@sarashappyhives1828]

It’s better to have it going and not need it than the other way around 😊 Thanks Randy!

[@628DirtRooster]

That's a fact

[@KajunHomestead]

Great video , Randy , Good luck with the bee season.

[@628DirtRooster]

Same to y'all

[@ericgandy1291]

I have been putting my hot smoker in an outdoor wood stove when it is hot and it either goes out or burns everything out. The last time there was some combustible material I didn't see that caught on fire and burned my smoker bellows. I have a backup that has holes in it. The guy at the local bee store only had a cheaper one and he said the best one is a Dadant. I have a Dadant on order and a replacement bellows for my old one. I have watched your smoker burn more than I have my own. It's nice seeing you recommend the smoker while I wait for them to ship. I am on day 3 with no shipping confirmation.

[@628DirtRooster]

You're going to appreciate that smoker when you get it.

[@doak4886]

Happy Easter. He is risen.

[@628DirtRooster]

Amen! He IS risen!

[@tommychew6544]

Great video! I miss the old stores like that we used to have in my area back in the 70's when I was a kid. Hope the cold spell I saw that you guys had here a few days ago didn't stunt the trees like it did last year.

[@628DirtRooster]

Hey Tommy. Thankfully that cold spell didn't do anything. It's looking like this year may make up for how hard last year was.

[@therealbebos]

Nice shop owner. Wish more stores were family owned and run by nice guys like that.

[@628DirtRooster]

He was so nice. Wish I had more time with him.

[@Fummy007]

Came for the bellows. stayed for the look around clarksdale, that cool store!

[@628DirtRooster]

Haha Glad you stayed

[@bighouse6120]

Nice montage

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks Bighouse

[@ducamuk]

Gene has some really valuable acoustic guitars. Seems like a very nice guy. He can play as well, too. Classical guitar is very in depth playing skill. Love it! 💕

[@628DirtRooster]

He plays it like he’s been doing it since he was a child

[@babybeeapiaries8667]

Yes best smokers on the market! Slow shipping.

[@628DirtRooster]

We agree!

[@timmorris7022]

My first smoker was an old used dadant just like you have.Its broke in good and the one i prefer over the new one. Good video and the store was pretty cool.Also great music choice Randy!Always thanks for posting.

[@628DirtRooster]

Can't beat those smokers.

[@jonathanhodgkin6546]

Hello from Australia,been following your bee adventures for a while,love the content it has made me a better observer of what they contribute to our food production,also have to say I love the photographs and videos you put at the end ,if you ever put a book of them together let us all know it would probably be a best seller,have a great day.😊

[@628DirtRooster]

I'd love to make a book some day. We'll see

[@jonathanhodgkin6546]

@@628DirtRooster That'd be so cool. Keep us in the loop! I'd buy one!

[@tonyandric4380]

Amen on Dadant vs cheap smokers! Someone stole my Dadant out of the back of my truck a week or two ago... I'm doing the same thing with using a cheap one for now until I get a new Dadant. First world problems!

[@628DirtRooster]

LOL Real first world problems.

[@BrooklynHudson]

What an interesting guy and a cool old store. Happy Easter Randy and family. I bet that little boy cat is part Ragdoll Kitty. That breed has that floppy, cuddly way about them.

[@628DirtRooster]

I know he's the type of cat that doesn't like to get wet. haha

[@One29Homestead]

I've always wanted to go to clarksdale.

[@628DirtRooster]

It’s an interesting town. Good food and good music.

[@johniacomini8785]

I gotta take a grind to mine. I burn pine needles too and the creosote that built up is glueing it all up!! Fun video, thanks.

[@628DirtRooster]

Right on

[@poorhouseracing]

Ole' clarksdale ms, you close to my neck of the woods

[@628DirtRooster]

You in the delta?

[@DRIECUTHoney]

Bought an old Kelly’s smoker and the bellow wasn’t working. Took it apart and discovered a mud dauber had built inside of it. Good as new now, only a bit of rust and character

[@628DirtRooster]

I have a really old galvanized smoker. I can't remember the manufacturer but I've never used it because I didn't want to ruin it.

[@ray37876]

Lot of history in the little mom and pop shops.

[@628DirtRooster]

They were keeping that one pretty much original

[@ckingclosur]

Thank you, sir, for sharing this post, and I noticed a sentence you said about China syndrome and its products. I use to think this way too and I was %100 convinced that Chinese product sucks until I looked into it. I would like you not to misunderstand me, but our problem here, our problem is the North American companies, not China. What I mean by this is that China does not manufacture these cheap goods on purpose to piss us off, which makes us angry about them. Our problem is the American merchants themselves, they and the Canadian merchants are the ones who choose the quality of the goods and then say, “Make these goods for us with these specifications.” They have poor and bad specifications and they choose them because they are cheap and they do not need a large capital to manufacture their goods, also they won't last long, so they keep on selling and making money , they will never make something that would last years and years, even if they can, they will never do it. What does this mean ?? This means that our problem is with the merchants and not with China. China makes what is asked of it. Does China have first class materials?? Yes, they definitely have. Let's remember something important They are the merchants and I will give you an example. I bought a Stanley saw. It was so bad that I threw it in the trash, but it was a Stanley brand and it should have been a good one, but it wasn't. Why ?? Because Stanley Company was the one that requested its specifications. Very cheap materials Very cheap labor They always make/want you to buy their product. Maximum profit. China syndrome is because our trades' men are greedy. and just to be fair I would like to say that running a business now/here in North America is next to impossible with all the material cost and the overhead expenses pulse the wage issue.

[@joegilly1523]

Ok yes American company’s want it done cheaper, But we don’t have Prisoners for forced labor Or little kids to do the work. .

[@628DirtRooster]

I completely agree with you. China wouldn't manufacture it if America and other countries wouldn't gobble it up and demand more of the same. My China Syndrome label had a dual meaning though. It referred to the cheap quality of Chinese produced goods, but it was also a reference to an old movie about a nuclear melt down, which I expect that smoker to do at some point. I figured someone might get the movie reference, but no one did.

[@Susietacoma]

Happy Easter! ✝️ Jesus loves you and the bees. 🐝

[@628DirtRooster]

Happy Easter Susie

[@joanneganon7157]

Happy Easter✝️. Happy Spring🌺🐦🌷🐰🌸🤗! JO JO IN VT 🫢

[@628DirtRooster]

Hope y'all had a great Sunday Jo Jo

[@WildwoodsBeekeeping]

Nice job Randy :) have a great Easter 😎🐝😁

[@628DirtRooster]

Have a wonderful Easter weekend Grayson.

[@angelacross2216]

Great video thanks.

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks Angela

[@sonofone1-263Bees]

i have had a china syndrome smoker for 3 seasons now Randy. It has been outside but not in direct weather. i have had to replace the plate in the bottom this year.

[@628DirtRooster]

Oh man! I'm going to have to loan you a proper smoker. haha

[@sonofone1-263Bees]

I would love to have a better smoker, but the girls need more equipment. So i have to make what i have work. This year maybe they will help me pay for them. I may have 18 hives by 4/6/24.

[@OkieRob]

Can't beat the large dadant smoker.

[@628DirtRooster]

My brother ran over one with his truck. We beat in back into shape and used it for three more years.

[@thomasrape4616]

If you need a good smoker don't buy that smoker they sell a tractor supply, piece of junk. I needed a smoker, any smoker, in a hurry. I bought one and the lid hinge broke the 3rd time I used it, poor spot welds. I like the dadant smokers too.

[@628DirtRooster]

Typical of what Tractor Supply carries.

[@Cryocide]

Loved the video, but I stopped dead in my tracks for the guitar near the end. It would be really cool if your shopkeeper friend could do some music for the channel

[@628DirtRooster]

Next time I’m up there I’ll see if he’ll tune it and play some more.

[@philrobinson9113]

Good video, nice ending

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks so much Phil

[@Susietacoma]

Is that a waffle ice cream cone? Yummy! I saw 👀 that!

[@628DirtRooster]

That's what she always gets.

[@jkell42]

22:19 cool guitar solo!

[@628DirtRooster]

I wasn’t expecting that level of playing.

[@Susietacoma]

I want to try to catch a swarm. I have a nice yard without chemicals and pesticides.

[@628DirtRooster]

Build some swarm traps. You can do it.

[@ianhegan-rumohr791]

Dumped my trivet first inspection and haven't seen it sense. Might have to pull out the metal detector lol.

[@628DirtRooster]

LOL That's a good beekeeping video.

[@Goodnews4man]

I need to go to the candy store.

[@thebeecommander]

Awesome video brother!💯❤️

[@628DirtRooster]

Thanks my friend

[@bingo45373]

I would love to hear him play

[@628DirtRooster]

Next time I'm up there I'll see if I can get him to put on a mini concert for us.

[@bingo45373]

@@628DirtRooster sweet

[@maryjensen5112]

Darlin I am not a troll. I am just a person that gained to much weight. I just love you and your wife and care about you. I love all your videos and all that you do. I just want to ask you to please lose some weight. I understand this might be a bit much for me to ask, but I am overweight, and I don't want you to go through what I am. I have started to show signs of Lymphedema and I breath really hard when I just get up to take a nature break. I know it is up to you, but I hope me saying something might help you. If you want to ignore me that is fine. I will always support you and care about you. Please don't hate me, just understand.

[@cynvision]

Ordered the bellows and had to swing by Tractor Supply for a new sticker? I got my sticker ready but had not splurged on a large smoker. Did not keep up with videos to know they peppermint candies were still a work in progress.

[@628DirtRooster]

It makes more smoke with the sticker. :)

[@kat2641]

If I was down south?? I probably wouldn’t feed . But up here in Michigan the girls have to deal with snow ice an bitter wind. An my bib pants are straight coz my belly an legs are too big to bunch up 😂😂😂😂 But I always over winter 2 deeps an 1 honey super. (otherwise I seam to loose the hives due to dead out) but in February I pop the lids and if I got 5 frames full of bees in the top honey super? I know the girls are running out of food stores. A piece of old newspaper over half the hive a dump a cupple pounds of sugar . If the hive looks weak? I might toss 1/2 pollen paddy on them to give them a boost. For the last few years I been experimenting to see what works an what doesn’t an it seams if I wrap 2” blue board stro around the hives I have noted less dead outs an food stores are better due to the sub zero an wind chill not getting to the girls. But!!! I am going to definitely try the peppermint ❤❤ first coz when you add pollen paddy the hive Beatles multiply worse than rabbits!! But if I didn’t have to deal with sub zero temps I would not spend the money but honestly I don’t believe in over feeding. Lol seams the new hives first winter? They are not too smart an always run out of food but after they go through a winter? Seams like they are smarter 🤷🏻‍♂️ Except the native bee swarm traps? Them girls seam to always pack the hive to 99.9% packed. So I think it honestly depends on on where you live on if we got yo feed the girls. But one thing I learned ( the hard way) uninsulated hives are weaker an depending on first part of winter can run out in late January ~ February. By March? ☠️ But I am definitely going to town this week an this old man is buying himself an the girls some candy 🤪🤪

[@628DirtRooster]

Take them to the candy store with you and I'll bet you can get some free treats. haha

[@DC_PRL]

Dadant smoker is a way to go....better quality, blows harder. Going to wrangle my bees tomorrow...curious what my girls did in two weeks, yay

[@CherishedCards]

So question from a person who doesn’t keep bees but finds your videos interesting. Can you please explain to me about swarm cells. I know the bees swarm but why do they make swarm cells? Is it to make new queens? I thought that was what queen cells were for. I hope that isn’t a dumb question I’m just curious

[@628DirtRooster]

Swarm cells are queen cells. Many times you can tell by the placement of the cells within the hive what the cells were made for, whether it be to swarm, to replace a failing queen or to replace a queen that has died or completely failed. Swarm cells are typically on the bottom edges of frames or outer edges of brood combs in feral hives.

[@CherishedCards]

Thank you!

[@trevelynbrown4444]

Randy how is your dad doing . Going to open my box tomorrow .

[@628DirtRooster]

He's back in the hospital. Not doing well. Hope your bees are good.

[@jonclemons1421]

Was that a swarm over your shoulder in the tree at 13:22 ?

[@628DirtRooster]

It was comb from an old open air colony.

[@3Beehivesto300]

Have you tried Alton’s peppermints? They are curiously strong…

[@628DirtRooster]

I haven't but I bet the bees would have really fresh breath.

[@philaandrew100]

At 13:18, is that a small swarm in the tree above your head?

[@628DirtRooster]

It is comb from an open air colony that was up there last year.

[@davidlewis4179]

What brand of peppermint candies?

[@628DirtRooster]

Dollar general

[@davidhorsley4657]

Was that a swarm at 13:21 in the tree over Randy's head?

[@628DirtRooster]

Old comb from an open air colony. It was a swarm that I couldn’t reach, and they built out on that limb. There aren’t any more bees in it now though.

[@daniel327david]

Is that not a swarm in the tree at 13:23 min mark over your right shoulder

[@dennistaylor7653]

Whats the name of that material you have used as a top cover? It's got the print on it.

[@628DirtRooster]

It's HDO plywood. I can't remember the brand on this one.

[@clamhomesteadadventures2932]

Rooster, do you ship nucs to Georgia?

[@628DirtRooster]

We may bring a load up next year but currently we don’t.

[@aleset1]

Gene was a peach!!!

[@628DirtRooster]

Very cool guy

[@murpheybees]

I always buy a new smoker when I get a hole in the bellows, I didn't know you could buy them. How easy was it to replace?

[@628DirtRooster]

Really easy, Four nuts and it's off unless the studs spin and then you just sink a cut off wheel across the back of the studs and it comes right off.

[@murpheybees]

@@628DirtRooster I’ve burned holes in a couple of my smoker bellows.

[@taddrienstra7247]

Your equipment? You mean your equipment you got from Jeff a few years ago is done when it hits the burn pile...😂😂🤣😅🤣😂

[@628DirtRooster]

Ha! Close but no cookie. I've never gotten any of his boxes.

[@taddrienstra7247]

@@628DirtRooster Man, all that shiney stuff he gets every year and you don't get any of the leftovers? Whoa!!! Oh, I know why. If he gave you his old stuff, he couldn't razz you any more about 'the Dirt Roosters junk equipment!' 😂🤣😅

[@628DirtRooster]

@@taddrienstra7247 I go by there once a year and put Dirt Rooster stickers on all his newest equipment so if anything ever happens to him I can go claim it. ;)

[@jkell42]

What type of place is that where you have to be 25 to enter?

[@628DirtRooster]

It was a bar in the hood. I guess that keeps some of the more immature troublemakers out.

[@danphillips4590]

Whats up with Mr Ed?

[@628DirtRooster]

He’s still kicking

[@watchtower4870]

Merica.....

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

🤝🏾🇺🇸👍🏾🫡

[@628DirtRooster]

Have a great weekend Reggie

[@reggieringgoldjr68]

@628DirtRooster You as well Randy, great seeing you dropping some Videos and information.......🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾🫡