Haygain hay steamers are an indispensable tool for the respiratory health and well-being of horses. Hay, as is well known, very often contains high levels of dust, mold and bacteria. Haygain is the only scientifically proven system to reduce all potential allergenic factors to 99%.
To keep its benefits intact and to keep your horse healthy, take care of your Haygain.
Let’s find out all the necessary maintenance for hay steamers.
Weekly maintenance
Let’s find out together the maintenance routine to be repeated weekly with all Haygain steamers models.
Cleaning the container
To properly clean the purifier container, turn off the steam generator and wait 30 minutes for it to cool properly, then follow these steps:
- Lift the lid of the container.
- Remove all forage residue from inside the container, including from the drain hole and steam manifold. (Be careful of the manifold tips because they are very sharp!)
- Rinse the container, using a pressure washer or hose with clean tap water.
- Use warm soapy water to scrub the manifold completely starting from the base with a brush. (If possible, use a non-corrosive veterinary disinfectant.)
- Be sure to also remove with a jet of water any dust and hay residue that settles under the collector.
- Rinse the whole area thoroughly with water.
- Allow the water to drain through the drain hole at the bottom of the container.
- Make sure the container is completely dry before closing the lid.
Steam generator cleaning
To clean the inside of the steam generator, turn it off and wait 30 minutes for it to cool completely, then follow these steps:
- Unplug the steam generator from the power outlet.
- Disconnect the steam hose by pulling back the quick-release coupling at the end of the hose and detaching the barrel.
- Completely empty the water contained in the steam pipe.
- Unscrew the steam generator safety cap and remove any residual forage or other material from it.
- Place the funnel in the filling spout.
- Gently pour clean tap water into the steam generator so that it is half full. (About 4 liters for the PB model included with Haygain 600 and Haygain 2000 and about 3.5 liters for the Jiffy model included with Haygain One)
- Remove the funnel from the steam generator, screw on the safety cap and tighten it by hand.
- To remove any residue from the steam generator, shake it vigorously.
- Unscrew the steam generator safety cap, empty the water through the fill spout into a drain or container.
- Repeat the process 5 to 9 times until the water is clear when it comes out of the steam generator.
- Screw on the steam generator safety cap and tighten it by hand.
- Connect the steam hose to the container and plug the steam generator into a power outlet.
Bi-monthly maintenance
The maintenance procedure to be repeated every 50 to 60 days is essential in order not to compromise the proper functioning of the Haygain system. Let’s find out together.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”10px”][vc_column_text]
Steam generator descaling
It is very easy for scale to accumulate in the steam generator. Normally the process should be repeated once a month. In cases where the purifier is used 3 or more times a day or in areas with more lime-rich water, it is necessary to repeat the descaling process 1 time a month.
For proper and complete descaling, follow these steps:
- Clean the steam generator before starting, following the instructions given in the previous section.
- Open the package of descaling agent and dissolve it in the required volume of hot water as specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Place the funnel in the filling spout.
- Pour the diluted solution gently into the steam generator.
- Remove the funnel from the steam generator and manually screw/tighten the safety cap.
- Turn on the steam generator. (For PB model supplied with Haygain 600 and Haygain 2000: press the power button which turns green and the heating light will turn orange; For Jiffy model supplied with Haygain One: turn the knob to “Steam” position and the heating light will turn red)
- When the water starts to boil and steam starts coming out of the pipe, wait 10 to 15 minutes before turning off the generator.
- Unplug the steam generator from the power outlet.
- Allow the steam generator to descale at least 4 hours.
- To remove any residue from the steam generator, shake it vigorously.
- Unscrew the steam generator safety cap, empty the water through the fill spout into a drain or container.
- Rinse and empty the steam generator until the water comes out clear.
N.B. Throughout the descaling process, especially during the 4-hour “action,” it is critical to label the steam generator to clearly indicate that it contains descaler. If you purify hay while the steam generator contains descaling agent, it could be very dangerous to your horse’s health.
Storage tips for Haygain steamers
If you are not using Haygain for more than a week, follow these steps to make sure it is stored properly.
- Make sure the container and steam generator are rinsed, clean and dry.
- Store the steamer in a dry place with a sheltered and coiled power cord. (Avoid storing it at too cold a temperature)
- Before using the steam generator after a long time, check it thoroughly. Make sure there is no damage to the plug or cord, as well as that both are clean and dry.
- Make sure the steam generator has been descaled.
