emma
Olympic Poster
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Post by emma on Dec 31, 2010 0:08:52 GMT 1
I'm seriously thinking of investing in a hay steamer. They're not cheap but I have 1 with copd and another 2 who are really fussy. I had a look at the haygain at hoys and was really impressed. The hay came out much softer and smelt beautiful. My miniature pony isn't keen on dry hay and soaking it is a real pain. Does anyone have one of the bought hay steamers? I'm not making my own I like the idea of setting the timer and having it ready when I need to feed it
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Post by anastasia55555 on Dec 31, 2010 8:10:56 GMT 1
Emma you could always buy an egg timer to set if you make your own so you can turn it off when its done if you make your own steamer. Or you could buy one of those timers you put in a plug that turns things on and off automatically. You will save your self a hell of alot of money. But if you do still want to buy one im sure someone will have some info on them :-)
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Post by Lady Equine on Dec 31, 2010 9:36:06 GMT 1
We use a tug with 3-4" of boiling water and wrap it in a clear plastic bag, works the same as a steamer.
But this is only for one pony so may be difficult if you need to do it for more.
LE
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Post by lilaclomax on Dec 31, 2010 10:48:41 GMT 1
I am about to make one  Ingredients... A bin (small black one for small quantities or large wheelie bin for 3/4 bale) Space insulation (currently on offer in Homebase for a roll) Ties, duct tape and staple gun (need to work out which is best to hold it all together) Drill Jigsaw Wallpaper steamer Plywood Plug timer Silicone or flexible bathroom filler Anything else I may need - will update  1. Drill a hole into the side of the bin about 1cm up from the base, the same size as the steamer tube. 2. Push the tube into the hole so the exit point is in the centre of the bin. 3. Seal the hole around the tube and the bin, this should fix the tube into place. 4. Wrap the bin up with the insulation to keep as much heat in (need to figure out the best way of doing this still). Also cover the lid... 5. I am going to be cutting out some plywood and covering it in insulation to put inside the top of the bin so my 'lid' can move up and down depending on how much hay is inside. 6. Place the hay inside, attach the steamer to the timer (set for 15-20 mins) add water and plug in. I will try and get photos and write a proper guide when I make one |
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Post by lilaclomax on Dec 31, 2010 10:53:13 GMT 1
We use a tug with 3-4" of boiling water and wrap it in a clear plastic bag, works the same as a steamer. But this is only for one pony so may be difficult if you need to do it for more. LE x I was looking at doing it this way until it was pointed out to me that the hay needs to be as the steam is being produced, boiling water only produces a small amount of steam and although is will work on a small section of hey the rest is only getting damp as the water cools too quickly. I am still trying to find out the exact time to steam for, at the moment I am being told 20- 30 mins with constant steam but have no evidence to back this up - anyone  |
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Post by Lady Equine on Dec 31, 2010 11:39:39 GMT 1
Yes you are right it probably dosen't steam as well as a steamer, but we've found the hay softens well and has the lovely steamed smell, we did find it more effective when it was coldr as i guess more steam was generated.
That's a very ambitions project Lilac.... look forward to seeing the pics... I like home made stuff...!!
LE
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pip
Grand Prix Poster
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Post by pip on Dec 31, 2010 13:15:16 GMT 1
How much electricity do these steamers use? I was going to use a wallpaper steamer but thought it is the equivalent of letting a kettle boil for 20 minutes. I still use boiling water, but mix up the hay and pour the boiling water on different sections.
A local livery yard has a big steamer and is very pleased with it.
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Post by lilaclomax on Dec 31, 2010 14:06:27 GMT 1
Sorry for hi-jacking the thread! Should really add that I also like the idea of steaming, just like I prefer my vegetables to be steamed too! How much electricity do these steamers use? I was going to use a wallpaper steamer but thought it is the equivalent of letting a kettle boil for 20 minutes. I still use boiling water, but mix up the hay and pour the boiling water on different sections. A local livery yard has a big steamer and is very pleased with it. Will let you know in a moment... we have one of those energy reader thing-a-mi-jigs, I am guessing it would use as much as a kettle to heat up but then the energy used will go down once the water is hot as it is only maintaining the heat Our kettle = 22.41p an hour in electricity Steamer = 16.23p an hour (no change in heating up the element to maintaining the temperature) States it takes 12mins for 4 litres of cold water to heat up, took it 5 mins for 3 litres of warm water before producing a decent rate of steam. |
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Post by lilaclomax on Dec 31, 2010 17:39:58 GMT 1
Just found the answers I need regarding time... www.equi-therapy.net/equi-therapy/equine-nutrition/hay-steamer.shtml'Most hay steamers take 30 - 40 minutes to thoroughly steam hay.' Also found why using boiling water into a bin may not work... 'Some horse owners improvise with their own methods of steaming by placing hay in a dustbin and pouring a kettle of boiling water or the hay. The lid is then placed on the dustbin and the hay left for about 20 minutes. Although this may appear to work be aware that unless the temperature in the dustbin remains high enough for long enough it can provide a perfect breeding ground for bacteria to develop - a warm, damp environent is a gift to bacteria. A hay steamer will keep the hay steaming at a constant high temperature and avoid this danger.' |
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Post by june on Dec 31, 2010 19:10:42 GMT 1
Remember though that steaming doesn't work to remove sugar from hay. To do that you have to soak it. Its ideal for horses with COPD or sensitive to dust but not for the fatties or those susceptible to laminitis.
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emma
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Post by emma on Dec 31, 2010 20:57:00 GMT 1
I don't know if I can trust myself to make one! I'd use it for the stabled ponies so just 4 at the moment. I'm going to have a look at them at beta, I've been offered one on trial from haygain to see whether they prefer the steamed hay. If it makes no difference I'll save my money and they can just have it dry. I don't mind soaking it through the summer but in this weather it's a nightmare
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Post by barleym on Jan 2, 2011 15:02:11 GMT 1
Unfortunately, I had to get a steamer recently because one of the horses suddenly went from an intermittent cough to an outright asthma type attack. I now use a Haygain. They are just brilliant. Easy to load, easy to clean and does exactly what they say it will do. My hay was probably not the best and despite getting some better hay before the steamer, the breathing problem never let up. Since steaming, <touching wood> the problem has now gone. I had thought about making my own some time ago, but having now used something really designed to do the job, I fail to see how anything using a kettle or small capacity wallpaper type steamer will actually 'steam' the hay. If your hay has spores or whatever, then they will only be zapped if subjected to 100deg temp for 40+ mins! That's never going to happen unless you get at least a 5-7 litre steamer unit so you can keep it running for long enough. I guess though, if a homemade one appears to work then one can conclude that the hay isn't really the problem to start with? Just my POV  |
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anniearab
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Post by anniearab on Jan 2, 2011 15:32:35 GMT 1
I have an Earlex steam generator from Screwfix, same size 2750W(and looks remarkably the same) as the professional steamers, £154.99 with 2 year guarantee and large wheely bin from Wheelie Bins Direct 770 litre for £215 delivered. Holds 6 large haynets, 8 at a push. Have an ordinary plug in timer which I set for 45 mins to be ready when I arrive. I made it myself in June as one of the mares started having a cough, and used until mid Dec when I changed over to Haylage for the winter, very pleased with it and will go back to it in the spring.
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