Another steamer question!

[poiuytrewq]

Sorry! Big buy

A Haygain 600 is about £1450
on eBay you can buy a steamer for £250. (Simply steam horse hay steamer)
Sell me the Haygain, why is it So much better. It’s a huge price increase.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I can’t answer your question but last year I made an enquiry to Haygain seeking answers to several questions and in response I received an invoice. Put me right off TBH.

 

[MereChristmas]

I expect the Haygain is very efficient and apparently has been tested to what ever standards they apply.
Most wheelie bin and storage box steamers will lose heat quickly as the container is a single layer. Lots of ebay style ones are like this. Also the plastic can degrade and split in the heat.

My OH made a steamer and as far as I am concerned it works very efficiently.
will PM you

 

[Gingerwitch]

My haygain is 10 years old. Works perfectly abs is safe to operate. Satisfying insurance at numerous yards and fire risk assessments.

 

[rextherobber]

I expect the Haygain is very efficient and apparently has been tested to what ever standards they apply.
Most wheelie bin and storage box steamers will lose heat quickly as the container is a single layer. Lots of ebay style ones are like this. Also the plastic can degrade and split in the heat.

My OH made a steamer and as far as I am concerned it works very efficiently.
will PM you

Please could you pm me too? Have spent a freezing day trying to make a hay steamer from a wallpaper steamer and a plastic bin, but cannot get the temperature hotter than 80c, and apparently (according to Google!) it has to be 176c for 10 minutes...

 

[Tiddlypom]

Where Haygain scores is the efficient steam delivery system via the metal manifold spikes which enables the steam to penetrate all the hay and raise the temp to above 100°c throughout, plus the insulated double walled container.



If any other manufacturer can make a hay steamer as well as Haygain do, then good for them, but I don’t know of any. I love my Haygain.

https://haygain.co.uk/blogs/news-and-events/the-story-of-haygain-hay-steamers

It was found during further testing that steaming in a non-insulated box without the Haygain patented spike manifold system, failed to reach the required temperatures. This was because steam was going from the outside-in and heat was lost through the non-insulated walls which meant during colder weather the unit failed to reach high enough temperatures to kill mould and fungal spores. In addition, bacterial contamination increased.

 

[Green Bean]

Following on with this thread, has anyone bought a Simply Steam hay steamer? How have you found it? I am expecting mine this Wednesday so am gearing up to set it up and see how it goes. I just feel that at 70% cheaper than the Haygain - £250 vs £1495, even if it lasts for 2 years, it is still a win, price wise. It has a temperature gauge so you know if it is reaching the temperature required to be affective. Ultimately though, the proof will be in the use of it. The only thing it doesn't appear to have is a timer to switch it off, but once you know how much water is required per net to be steamed, you can use this as a timer as it apparently switches off when steam runs out.

 

[MereChristmas]

The only thing it doesn't appear to have is a timer to switch it off, but once you know how much water is required per net to be steamed, you can use this as a timer as it apparently switches off when steam runs out.

I don’t think that leaving the steamer to stop on it’s emergency cut out will do the element much good. Better perhaps to invest in a timer.

 

[Green Bean]

Good idea Meredith, I was thinking this might be an option, but as you say, not a good idea as a timer. I will go robust timer hunting!

 

[Steerpike]

I just brought a kitchen timer, I put my steamer on when doing yard jobs so can hear when it goes off

 

[Tiddlypom]

You will need a timer. Haygains don't come with them as standard either. I preheat my Haygain for 15 mins then run it at steam for an hour.

Where is the temperature gauge probe fitted in the Simply Steamer? It's very important that the steam penetrates right into the centre of the hay and brings the temp fully up there, otherwise steaming causes more harm than good.

 

[Green Bean]

I have now ordered a plug with a timer built in so can programme it for the length of time needed and it will 'switch off' the electricity when done. Hadn't even thought of that before posting so thanks everyone!

 

[Yardrat]

@Green Bean - did you get your Simply Steam hay steamer and how did you get on with it? I'm thinking of buying one.... Thank you

 

[Green Bean]

Yardrat, yes I did. It worked really well. Very happy with it for the time I had it. Had to sell it after 6 months only because my horse decided she didn’t want steamed hay anymore. It was no fault of the steamer, just my fussy horse

 

[Yardrat]

@Green Bean thanks very much for that. I'll order one today