LG 9200 Bator, Foam how do you clean it?

[2txmedics]

Ok, my hatch is done, and I had a few eggs explode...how do you sterlize and clean a foam LG 9200 ....Im wanting to start again in about a week....

 

[Akane]

Since bad eggs exploded I would soak in bleach. Some will use their bathtub and dilute the bleach. I set mine in a shallow container that just keeps the water from leaking out the vent holes, dump in bleach until my container runs out, and top off with water. I leave mine over night. Rinse well and then if possible leave it to dry in the sun. There are some things that even bleach does not kill but are killed by simply sunlight. Wipe with vinegar to neutralize any traces of bleach and remove deposits if your in an area with hardwater. Technically bleach dries to a nontoxic salt solution but it seems to have trouble drying out of all the gaps in syrofoam and the bator still gives off fumes for quite awhile if you don't neutralize it. Rinsing off vinegar is optional since it evaporates quickly but it will be ready to go again sooner if you do. Make sure it is completely dry and there is no smell before using.

Between hatches if it wasn't a particularly dirty hatch like lots of blood, I really packed the bator and had tons of chicks hatching, or exploding eggs I will often just wipe with straight vinegar and let dry before setting the next batch. It's best not to go too long without a good cleaning though or you can lose eggs and hatched chicks to infections but since I often hatch small numbers of eggs I don't feel the need to really soak it every time.

 

[Junkmanme]

NOT trying to "run-off" with this thread...BUT have a question that "relates" to this topic:

I am rebuilding a "Parts incubator" (Hovabator). After cleaning the 'bator, I'm considering coating the inside with either "spray clear lacquer paint" or perhaps "Poly-urethane varnish" applied in layers for the purpose of making the 'bator easier to clean in the future.

Any comments on this idea?

-Junkmanme-

 

[FenDruadin]

I want to know too, junkman. The styrofoam seems so ridiculously hard to clean--there must be a way to make it easier. Anyone?

 

[2txmedics]

Im glad others can input, and no...your not running off with the thread but that is a good idea!!!! I would love to know also on this....maybe coating with something, but then again, maybe thats what makes it work, is the material and how its structured...???

 

[BeccaOH]

I use the diluted bleach solution and even use a rough sponge on spots.

But I've found that putting down paper towel over the wire right before hatch lock down helps to make cleanup much easier. Any liquid from the hatching egg is trapped in the towel and not down in the foam. And it doesn't seem to mess with humidity as I keep a cup of water in there along with full trays.

I had one egg start to seep and smell during incubating. I removed it before it could explode. I left a questionable one during hatch, and it seeped onto the towel. I took the towel and egg out, replacing the towel with new, and was able to keep the yuck away from the hatching chicks.

 

[SunshineSilkies]

I use Oxine to clean my bator....

 

[Akane]

Setting anything on the mesh has the risk of causing problems. People have had eggs get tipped while hatching and the edge of the egg or membrane come in contact with the paper towel which draws away moisture and gets the chick stuck. It's really not a good idea to lay anything on the mesh except maybe finer mesh. Any materials should be inert (the plastic shelf liners some use have given off fumes on occasion), nonabsorbent, and allow good air flow.

Coating the styrofoam shouldn't change how it insulates. The only problem is what will the material you coat it with do at 100F under high humidity in a very enclosed space? You need something that cures well so it doesn't give off fumes in the heat.

 

[2txmedics]

makes sense on placing paper towels on the mesh...I had read after you take them out of the turner place paper towels on the mesh and lay the eggs on it....didnt think that the paper towel would absorb moisture the egg might need...hmmmm learn something every day....

 

[Junkmanme]

I think the "rubberized mesh shelf liner material" is probably the best. Might be a good idea to wash the material first and let it "air-out" for a couple of days, however.

just my "guess".

-Junkmanme-