Steaming hay - which container?

[clairencappelli]

The nice hay at the yard is running out so i need to so back to either dunking and draining or start steaming hay.

I have always fed wet hey but stopped when the weather got cold as the haynet froze and she stopped eating it. She doesnt have to have it soaked and has been fine on the nice dry hay.

The nice stuff has nearly all gone now and the hay there is still ok but its a bit courser and isnt as nice.

Id like to try steaming it but the last time i did this i melted a cheapo dustbin and the bottom buckled as the water went in.

What do you use to steam hay in?. can i get a thicker bin maybe made of a heavy duty rubber of plastic that i can put the lid on that wont melt?

Any ideas?. Need to be a decent size to get the haynet in?

 

[YorkshireLass]

metal dustbin or wheely bin.

 

[Persephone]

I use a B & Q bog standard "No hot Ashes" dustbin. It's been fine. I chuck three kettles in there and leave for 15 mins.

 

[MDJO]

Try B&Q's big green water butt for £10 - you can get 2 big nets in at once and it has an optional tap for the bottom so, if you wanted to soak, you can drain the water out. I've adapted mine with a cheap wall paper steamer in through the hole at the bottom and i just switch in on and do about 10 nets one after another. It's like the steamers you see advertised for about £150 except mine cost about £25

 

[Nosey]

I just use a normal plastic dustbin with 3 kettles - mines never shown any signs of melting. I do try and get most of the 3 kettles on the hay/sides of hay.

 

[Bert&Maud]

I used an empty bedding (Equisorb) bag which I rinsed out (check it's not got any holes - doh!). It held about 3 wedges and I rolled the top over - worked fine!