Steamed hay - what is it supposed to look like?!

[starryeyed]

We've finally treated ourselves to a hay steamer ( a thing of pure beauty) after far too many years of messing around with freezing water buckets several times a day! But we tried it for the first time last night and we're not sure if we're getting the right result as we've never seen steamed hay before..

After the full hour, it seems a bit damp on the outside but on the inside is still quite crisp - we shook it all out so that the steam could get around it but we're not sure whether it's supposed to appear wetter than it is?
The horses absolutely loved it but we're just a bit concerned as the one has COPD so needs to be completely dust free and after soaking for so many years it just seemed a bit too dry! x

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Only ever steamed with kettles in a dustbin, but just looked damp!

 

[Suelin]

It should steam right through, have you overfilled it? If it's packed tight the steam can't get in. I only steam mine for 30 minutes and it gets the job done. I always load the haynet first and put the whole thing in the steamer and then let it cool for 10 or so minutes before feeding. Hope that helps.

 

[zoelouisem]

We chuck a bucket of water over the hay in the steamer, our said to do that in the instructions, then it steams all the way through. If we dont do that then its still dry on the inside.

 

[katherine1975]

My hay steamer instructions say to put 'several litres' of water on the hay before steaming if you are steming a large amount of hay.