Hay Steaming/Soaking - easy way?!?!

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KentOsteo

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Have just returned from the yard somewhat resembling a Yeti :eek:. Decided to wet the horses hay as new bale a little dusty.

What have people found as the easiest way to soak hay without getting soaked, freezing cold and covered in hay yourself :D ???

Clearly not the way I did it...

I would love a proper hay steamer - but they look a little too pricey!
 
Stick the hay in a bin liner and pour over a kettle full of boiling water, quickly tie the bag closed and leave for 10 - 20 mins. Haven't actually tried it myself as I have to soak for hours to remove sugar, but if its just for dust/spores I'm told this works. Might be worth a try, and a lot cheaper than a steamer!
 
Buy cheap dustbin, place a bucket upside down inside for the haynet to sit on (stops it filling with manky water) then pour kettle over and shut lid! Leave 20mins then ready to go!
Much cheaper than a haysteamer and just as effective.
 
I use an old water tank with a wallpaper steamer (£20 from Argos); just run the hose into the container. Works just as well as a fancy-pants/loadsa-money purpose built hay steamer, and I have mine on a timer switch so it is all ready to when I go up to feed. I also have a barrel with a tap at the bottom for soaking hay; fill the barrel, plunk in the filled hay nets then after allocated soaking time open the tap at the bottom (set up to run into the drain), et voila! Drained nets ready to lift out.
 
Cortez said:
I use an old water tank with a wallpaper steamer (£20 from Argos); just run the hose into the container. Works just as well as a fancy-pants/loadsa-money purpose built hay steamer, and I have mine on a timer switch so it is all ready to when I go up to feed. I also have a barrel with a tap at the bottom for soaking hay; fill the barrel, plunk in the filled hay nets then after allocated soaking time open the tap at the bottom (set up to run into the drain), et voila! Drained nets ready to lift out.
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pretty much as above. my friend has made her own with a wheelie bin with wallpaper steamer piped into the bottom. works a treat and a fraction of the price of a 'proper' hay steamer!
 
I do this with a bale soaker, it is basically a bale sized wheelbarrow with a drain plug in the bottom and wheels, cant remember where I bought it but I think it cost about £120, its been a neat solution and works well.
 
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