James, My extractor is a used two-frame from the local univerity apiculture club. It's a Root "L-10" which is galvanized. My neighbors got a plan for making an extractor and are using a recycled HDPE food grade drum. About chrome--doesn't the process of chroming put out a load of toxics? I'd guess that the resulting surface won't corrode but the solvents and metals dissolved in acids need to be disposed of somewhere. +I'd guess that you could buy a new one for what it'll cost you to have the insides polished enough for chroming - unless you're going to take in that load of dust yourself. Also, you might think a bit about resident times for your processing. I usually allow the honey to settle in glass gallons - instead of being in contact with metals. The extractor gets propped up to drain out before the next days' robbing bees appear. You know, just heating up your well-cleaned extractor and allowing a very thin beeswax to melt over the surface seems a pretty convenient protection. Seems like it's a level of technology we can live with and let's hope it stays legal for food use. On Sat, 22 Jun 1996, James Peterson wrote: > I have only received two messages on my pleading for information on > what materiel that the law ( what number ? ) allows to be used in an > extractor. I have only taken " Bee Culture" for about a year , but > go to a University library ofter and peruse the other periodicals. I > have not seen any articles on this subject before. If any of you can > give me some ref. on the above subjects , I would appreciate it. > > Could I please poll the bee list on what material their extractors > are made of. The material that contacts the honey. > > I have thought of having my extractor chromed by the local bumper > chrome company. I thought of this because it is the chrome content > in stainless steel that gives it its corrosion resistance qualities. > > My bee equipment supplier (stainless equiptment) told me that there > are a lot of bee keepers that are not using stainless. > > Please help me make a decision. > > James Peterson Ph.D. > > If it is to be, It is up to me. >