The right kit makes beekeeping easier. The wrong kit makes it miserable.
£29
You don’t need to spend a fortune to get started. But buying the wrong equipment, or skimping on the things that matter, can make beekeeping harder than it needs to be. This module helps you make smart choices from day one.
- 19 detailed video lessons on beekeeping equipment and tools
- Honest guidance on what’s worth spending money on and what isn’t
- Practical demonstrations of how to use, clean, and store your equipment properly
Good equipment, properly looked after, will serve you for years. This module shows you what to buy and how to use it.
This module is part of the The 14-Day Beekeeper (£149). Only buy this individual module if you’re specifically interested in this subject, without the context of the full course.
Why Buy This Module?
The wrong suit, a smoker that won’t stay lit, frames that fall apart on your first inspection—none of it is a good start. This module spares you all of that.
- You’ll know what you actually need. There’s a lot of beekeeping kit on the market and not all of it is worth buying. This module gives you a clear, honest purchase list based on years of real-world experience—so you spend money on the right things.
- You’ll use your equipment correctly. A smoker that won’t stay lit, a hive tool that tears comb instead of freeing it—this module shows you how to use everything properly, including some techniques that aren’t obvious until someone shows you.
- You’ll look after your gear. How to clean your smoker, how to store brood frames and supers, how to maintain your hive—well-kept equipment lasts longer and performs better.
- You’ll get support. Got a question about equipment choices? Reach out. We’re here to help you work through it.
Module Lessons
This module covers 19 specific topics. Each lesson gives you practical, experience-based guidance you can apply straight away.
1. Introduction
An overview of the equipment module—what you’ll need to get started and how to think about building your kit over time without buying everything at once.
2. Purchase List With Links
Laurence’s recommended purchase list for new beekeepers, with links to the specific products he uses and trusts. No guesswork, no wasted money.
3. Trusted Suppliers
The suppliers Laurence recommends and why. Know where to buy so you’re getting good quality at a fair price.
4. Second Hand vs New Equipment
Whether to buy second-hand kit and the risks involved. Learn what’s safe to buy used and what you should always buy new.
5. Bee Suits
What to look for in a bee suit, the different types available, and how to choose one that gives you confidence without overheating you on a summer inspection.
6. Gloves
The case for and against gloves—and when to wear them. Learn what types are available and how to balance protection with sensitivity.
7. Footwear
Why footwear matters in the apiary and what Laurence recommends. A simple choice that prevents a surprising number of stings.
8. Smokers
Everything you need to know about smokers—how they work, what types are available, and what to look for when buying one.
9. How To Light A Smoker Without Cage
The technique for lighting a smoker quickly and reliably. Sounds basic—but most new beekeepers struggle with this until someone shows them properly.
10. How To Clean Your Smoker
How to keep your smoker clean and in good working order. A simple routine that extends its life and keeps it performing reliably.
11. Hive Tools
The different types of hive tool, what each one is designed for, and which ones Laurence actually uses. The most important tool you’ll own.
12. Hive Tool Soda Bucket
How to use a soda bucket to keep your hive tool clean between hives. A simple hygiene habit that reduces the risk of spreading disease across your apiary.
13. Deep vs Shallow Supers
The difference between deep and shallow supers—weight, capacity, frame compatibility, and which Laurence prefers and why.
14. Wax vs Plastic Foundation
The pros and cons of wax and plastic foundation. Learn what Laurence uses and the reasoning behind his choice.
15. Foundationless Frames
An introduction to foundationless beekeeping—what it involves, the challenges, and whether it’s something worth trying.
16. The Abelo Hive Stand
A detailed look at the Abelo hive stand—why Laurence uses it, its advantages over other options, and how to set it up correctly.
17. Painting Your Beehives
Why painting matters for wood preservation and how to do it correctly. Learn what paint to use, how to apply it, and how often to maintain it.
18. How To Store Brood Frames
How to store brood frames safely when they’re not in use. Learn how to protect them from wax moth and keep them ready for when you need them.
19. How To Store Supers
How to store supers correctly after extraction. Learn what Laurence does to protect drawn comb over winter and have it ready for the following season.
Part of the 14-Day Beekeeper
This Equipment module is one of 14 modules in the The 14-Day Beekeeper—our complete training program with 300+ video lessons, the Beekeeping Blueprint system, and 12 months of HiveQ membership.
This is one of the very first modules in the course and is ideal for complete beginners. Working through the full course gives you everything in context—from your first bits of kit through to advanced colony management and the Beekeeping Blueprint.
What students say
Learn why beekeepers choose us.Learned so much
was watching your videos long before you started 14DBK. Your simple method of getting the information across and genuine love of beekeeping shines through. My wife and I have now finished the course but are still learning so much from the HiveQ community. The ability to return to relevant modules at any time is an absolute blessing.
All anyone needs to start beekeeping
14DBK – Bought when it first launched and it’s been invaluable. Books, although valuable, lack the ability to watch someone actually do what they teach. 14DBK and the youtube channels new direction to education is all anyone needs to start beekeeping.
A reference library
I loved this course, as a new beekeeper it has been very helpful and we certainly be a reference library going forward that I can go back to time and again, I can fully recommend this for newbies and experienced beekeepers
A wealth of knowledge
Purchased the 14 day beekeeping course for my mum for christmas. She loved it! And we are excited to be going into 2026 with a wealth of knowledge and understanding of bees that we didnt have before.
Why Learn From Laurence?
Laurence Edwards has been teaching beekeeping for over a decade. His YouTube channel has helped hundreds of thousands of people start beekeeping with confidence, and his Beekeeping Blueprint system helped him increase his own honey yields by 400%.
This isn’t theory from a textbook. It’s practical, tested advice from someone who keeps bees every single day and has made every mistake so you don’t have to.
