Are inner covers really needed?

[Finsky]

In Finland professional use often styrofoam hive and often they have no inner cover. They use plastic foil as inner cover, so burr does not lock the stryrofoam cover.

I use inner cover and insulation. It is handy in many purposes.  Yes, we may make conversation from everything, but covers, bottom boards, entrances, color of hives and what ever  ---- do not bring honey.

[Trot]

True - all the woodenware does not honey make...

In my 51 years as beek I can't think of setting up a hive without an inner-cover!  
That piece of woodenware has many functions and one that I would not want to be without is the use of inner-cover at feeding time, top ventilation, top entrance and the list goes on.

What is the problem here? Not enough left in the pocket to buy one?  Or too much work to handle it ?

If SHB hide too easily - cut identical size hole in the back and screen it and put something over the center one - and use it only for feeding...

[Michael Bush]

>That piece of woodenware has many functions and one that I would not want to be without is the use of inner-cover at feeding time, top ventilation, top entrance and the list goes on.

I don't know how many times someone asks a question and the answer involves an inner cover.

What do you do with wet supers?  Put them on top of the inner cover for the bees to clean them up.

How do I get the honey out of these frames without extracting them or setting off robbing?  Uncap them and put them above the inner cover.

How do I feed?  Poke some small holes in a jar lid and set it on the inner cover.

How do I get a top entrance for winter?  Cut a notch (if there isn't one already) in the inner cover and slide the migratory cover forward.

Yes, the list goes on.