DIY hay steamer - advice?

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AbFab

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I want to steam my hay as Saf is very sensitive to dust. It is lovely hay and will smell delicious steamed :) I've read you can put some boiling water in a big bin and just put the hay in there and leave for a few hours. Has anyone tried this to good effect? Or any other recommendations?
 
Was worried when my daughters horse had to have prolonged Box rest for a fractured Tibia last year as her horse would cough a lot even on soaked hay when in for more than a day.
We decided to try and steam it so we just put the hay net in a big plastic bag poured a kettle of boiling water over it and then sealed it with clothes pegs and left it for 6 or 7 hours.
It worked a treat he liked it and he never coughed so he still has his hay done like this every day.Simple but worked for him.
 
I used the kettle and the bin method last winter during the frozen weather and it worked well!
I will use it again this year when the taps freeze to save on limited water. I wouldn't leave it for longer than an hour though as it can get a bit pongy :)
 
Thanks for the feedback, I'll give it a go! I hate filling nets and always feed off the floor anyway so I wish there was some sort of giant vegetable steamer on the market that I could steam hay in! I might see if I can get some sort of grill tray to go above the water so the hay doesn't get wet. Actually, it's not the end of the world if some of it gets wet is it? Mind vomit..:D
 
Tilda said:
I used the kettle and the bin method last winter during the frozen weather and it worked well!
I will use it again this year when the taps freeze to save on limited water. I wouldn't leave it for longer than an hour though as it can get a bit pongy :)
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If you put a small up-turned bucket in the bottom of the bin and put your hay net on top of that the hay isn't actually in the dirty water and should be fine. I leave mine overnight and it's lovely and ready to feed first thing in the morning. For a 4-5kg net I pour over 2 kettle loads of water then turn the net over and pour over another 2 kettle loads and then leave to cook. Works a treat :) (You do need a dustbin with a closely fitting lid).
 
Hi there! I agree steaming hay is fab and there's no need to spend a fortune; I used to use a bin and kettle but last year and this am using a large wheelie bin with a milk crate (metal one but only cos I found one!!), in the bottom to raise nets off the bottom. Thru the crate I feed the wallpaper steamer hose and it holds the end nozzle in place nicely! I used my hoof nippers to cut a wee 'vee' out of the lid thru which to feed the hose, then I just squash in the net (holding up to 20 lbs so not small!!), close the lid and then turn on the timer for an hour. It is said that they should be steamed for at least 50 mins but it takes at least five for the water to heat up. It really is a godsend as my mare Jasmine was so ill before from dust and coughs etc. the only prob now is her eating her bedding but I 've already had a yack and moan about that on here!! Good luck! I did find that a kettle and bin method is fine for lightweight nets but for biguns you need somat a bit bigger and more robust! Do it first thing in morning to allow them to cool well for their supper!!! Yum yum!!
 
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