Haysteamers and hard water?

ElleSkywalker

ElleSkywalker

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Any one have a haysteamer in a hard water area?

I currently have a very old happy horse steamer that I resurrected earlier this year, the problem is it doesn't really work great (dispite new kettle bit) & I have to descale it every week as our water is ridiculously hard, we are on a bore hole, there is so much limescale that our water comes out the tap white!!!

I would love a haygain steamer, but am concerned that as you can't see the element I may not descale it enough!

Anyone have a similar problem? Do u just descale every few steams regarless, or do u have a filter for the steamer water? I did talk to haygain at Burghley, who cheerfully told me it would be fine, just buy their descale product, but I would like to hear from people who actual experience!

Kiwi fruit & oranges for all xx
 
I'm also interested to know about this as we live in a very hard water area. Can you use normal descaler stuff or do you have to buy theirs?!!! How often should it be done? Sorry to jump on your post but think we want to know the same answers!!
 
No probs *moves along to make room for carolineb*

The lady on the stand said u have to use their descalers, u mix it in a little pot & tip it in & boil it. She said to do it every few steams. The bags of stuff are £3-4 each.

I currently use descaler bags but they won't work in the haygain ones as hole not big enough to put them in :(
 
I've got a Haygain which I use once daily and have madly hard water!

I descale it every month or so, with white wine vinegar. I've had it 2-3 years.

I love my steamer, but filling it drives me nuts! Why have Haygain chosen a model with a small aperture and slow filling tubing!

Wouldn't be without it though.....
 
Hi,
I have a Happy Horse hay steamer and live in a hard water area!
I use a De-scaler from betterware which is so so good (actually recommended to me by Happy Horse as i asked them re hard water area as i was having to de-scale every other week with original de-scaler i used.). I now only de-scale mine every month over the winter as it does so much steaming but it also comes out clean / new like after a de-scale.
I also find for filling it up, i use a watering can which i fill up in the morning and leave to stand during the day... i find less limescale when i do this! Dont know why but it does work!!! I also try not to fill it up and leave water in the unit: Fill up - steam - cool - empty!

Good luck. Btw they are the most helpful / friendly people at Happy Horse so im sure they would give you advice / help if you call. x
 
Email from Happy Horse...
Thank you for your enquiry.

You will need a liquid de-scaler (the same as you use for kettles), Oust is a good make, or similar. Do not use crystals or tablets, as we find they are not strong enough to de-scale properly.

Mix the de-scaler, as per instructions, (making sure it covers the element) - heat up (do not boil), then switch off and leave for an hour or two - then simply rinse out.
 
^^^ I use oust in mine, it does work, lasts about a week :)

It's the Haygain one am looking at as it gets hotter, & it's the one with the stupid small hole & element u can't see! Wish could splice the 2! :D
 
I have a hay gain, sorry soft water area so no help there but I fill it by using a large petrol funnel, it fits in really well and I can just pour or hose water in to my hearts content (with the odd slight overflow but not too often) I've tied it to the handle so I don't have to hold it. And the tube bit of the funnel is about 30cm. I'll take a photo :)
 
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its a flexi something :)
 
Lovescobs, you are a superior Haygain owner & I bow to your genius! Heads off to Halford.....

2-3 years I've been using the tiny funnel they sent with it, whilst moaning every time.... ;-)
 
Lol! I run a swimming pool plant room as part of my business, I spend 1/2 my life trying to find an easier way to do something :)
If it over fills and you have water in the funnel just put the can on the ground and quickly lob the end back in it. Never caused me a problem (but I'm in soft water so I get 2 steams out of one full kettle thingy)
Hope you enjoy filling it from now on ;)
 
Sorry, I know this thread is 8 years old so I dont know if i'll get a reply but I was wandering if you are still using your steamer and how you de scale it with the white wine vinegar? Like the ratios and timings ect
 
Scarlett Jane said:
Sorry, I know this thread is 8 years old so I dont know if i'll get a reply but I was wandering if you are still using your steamer and how you de scale it with the white wine vinegar? Like the ratios and timings ect
Click to expand...

I'm currently on my second haygain steamer and use their descaler packets :)

For the old one I used descaler packets from wilkos or similar that are designed for kettles. Put enough water in to cover element well, boil, turn off once boiled, leave a few hours. In that time agitate the water and descaler a few times to try and help loosen. If really bad bring to boil a second time.

Be warned if very scaled up descaling can cause element to crack as the limescale dissolves as it might be holding it together so use circuit breaker and dont leave unattended while boiling :)
 
ElleSkywalker said:
I'm currently on my second haygain steamer and use their descaler packets :)

For the old one I used descaler packets from wilkos or similar that are designed for kettles. Put enough water in to cover element well, boil, turn off once boiled, leave a few hours. In that time agitate the water and descaler a few times to try and help loosen. If really bad bring to boil a second time.

Be warned if very scaled up descaling can cause element to crack as the limescale dissolves as it might be holding it together so use circuit breaker and dont leave unattended while boiling :)
Click to expand...
Thank you thats really helpful! Out of curiosity why do you now use the haygain packets, was there a issue with using normal descaler?
 
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