Kraft Paper Strips for Beekeeping

Food-Grade 450mm × 30mm Strips

Some of the best beekeeping tools are also the simplest — and kraft paper strips are a perfect example. Ask any experienced apiarist what’s always in their kit, and these pre-cut food-grade cardboard strips will almost always make the list. They light easily, burn slowly, produce clean, cool smoke, and have at least half a dozen other uses around the hive. Once you’ve got a stash, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.

Our kraft strips are made from food-grade, high-density cardboard, pre-cut to a convenient 450 mm × 30 mm — ready to use straight out of the pack. Available in packs of 20, 100, or 1,000, they suit everyone from the hobbyist with a single hive to the commercial operator running hundreds of colonies.

What Are Kraft Paper Strips Used For?

Kraft paper strips are remarkably versatile. Once you have a pack on hand, you’ll find yourself reaching for it constantly. The most common uses include:

• Smoker kindling and starter: Easy to light, slow-burning, and chemical-free — produces clean, cool, calming smoke for hive inspections
• Hive ventilation spacers: Wedged between boxes to encourage airflow and reduce moisture build-up
• Comb and frame management: Handy during brood inspections, queen rearing, and general hive work
• Beeswax and DIY projects: Clean, food-grade cardboard is useful in candle making, wax processing, and other beekeeping crafts

Why Choose Kraft Strips Over Other Options?

There are plenty of materials beekeepers traditionally use — pine needles, hessian, old newspaper and wood pellets. Each has its place, but kraft paper strips offer something different: consistency. Every strip is the same size, same density, same burn rate, so you get predictable results every time. They don’t contain printing inks, glues, or chemicals like newspaper. They light far more reliably than pine needles in damp weather. And they’re vastly cheaper than commercial smoker pellets, especially in the 1,000-pack. For beekeepers who value reliability and don’t want any surprises during a hive inspection, Kraft strips are the smart, simple choice.

Are They Safe to Use Around Bees?

Absolutely. Our kraft strips are made from food-grade cardboard with no chemical treatments, dyes, glues, or inks. When burned in your smoker, they produce a clean, calming smoke — nothing that could harm your bees or contaminate your honey. They’re also safe to use inside the hive as ventilation spacers, since the food-grade material won’t introduce anything unwanted into the brood chamber.

Which Pack Size Should I Buy?

The right pack size depends on your scale. The 20-pack is perfect for new beekeepers wanting to try kraft strips out, or for occasional users who only inspect a few times a year. The 100-pack suits hobbyists and sideliners who use their smoker regularly and want a few months’ supply on hand. The 1,000-pack is the smart commercial option — best value per strip, ideal for serious operators running multiple inspections every week, beekeeping clubs, or anyone wanting to stock up for the season.

Who Are They For?

These strips suit every type of beekeeper. Beginners love them for how reliably they get a smoker going — no struggling with damp pine needles or unreliable kindling. Hobbyists appreciate the consistency and clean burn. Sideliners and commercial operators rely on the 1,000-pack for serious savings and dependable performance across hundreds of inspections. They’re also a favourite of beekeeping clubs and training courses, where reliable smoker fuel makes every demo go smoothly.

Specifications

• Material: Food-grade, high-density kraft cardboard
• Strip size: 450 mm × 30 mm (pre-cut)
• Pack sizes: 20, 100, or 1,000 strips per pack
• Chemical-free: No dyes, glues, inks, or treatments
• Burn characteristics: Easy to light, slow-burning, produces cool, calming smoke
• Versatility: Suitable for smoker kindling, hive ventilation spacers, comb management, and DIY beekeeping projects

Why Buy From Beekeeping Gear?

Beekeeping Gear has been Australia’s trusted source for everyday beekeeping essentials since 2016. We supply real Australian beekeepers from our showrooms in Granville (next to Clyde train station) and Meadowbrook (QLD), with fast Australia-wide shipping on every order. Our team is practising apiarists — drop in or call us on 1300 692 766 for honest, expert advice on choosing the right consumables for your apiary.

Order your kraft paper strips today — and stock up on one of the most useful, affordable tools in modern beekeeping.