I just use an electric kettle. I'm to lazy to use a pan . Once the water is boiled I open the lid of the kettle and hold the tube over it for about 15 seconds then turn the tube over and do the same.
But so as hooves, horns, finger nails etc which are made of keratin, the same material as feathers. With my pea sized brain I can not see how moisture will penetrate the feathers. The woods/concrete have pores bigger than water molecules allowing water vapour to get into. Feathers don't have. Interesting topic I find. Anyone knows who started this steaming thingy?
I am guessing that it is the vapour tht act like a surface lubricant helps the little hooklets to keep the barbs and vanes in shaped. I dont think it reinforces or strengthens the rachis ie the backbone of a feather. With this, the old shuttles that have lost most of its natural oil will still be as brittle as before.
