Portable Steam Cabinets

[perfection]

Most of you have heard of the Steamy Wonder which runs about $1200. The steamy wonder covers a client who is laying on a massage table and the steam fills the canopy while the client lays on the massage table.

I found portable steam cabinets. Most are fabric and some are inflatable. They are on ebay, do a search for portable and steam and you will find them. They are rather inexpencive too, many can be had for under $80 and that includes the steam pot and shipping. You would have to provide a chair, I have seen some that include a chair on other sites, and they use one of those foldable camp chairs without arm rests that costs about $10 to $15.

Does anyone have this set up? Do you think clients would go for something like this? I really cant believe these units are so inexpensive while the steamy wonder costs a fortune! Are they really that different??

 

[Shorty15c4]

Yes, they really are that different - the Steamy Wonder is based on ayurvedic principles that you should be lying down for a steam bath, not sitting up.

You've also got to be very careful of teh sizing of the units on eBay - they're usually made for the Asian market where the average sized person is much smaller than average American, you will see eBay listinfgfs for the XXL sized steamers, but if you check the size, they still seem pretty small (and they're usually cost more than the standard size)

Individual sit up steam capsules have been around for decades - lots of '50s comedies had a health club scene with people in wooden steam cabinets, I think there was even some spy movie where they locked someone in one and turned the temp higher and higher, asking them questions while they begged for water......

 

[Kapacs]

Thanks for the info melb.

But what I meant by "are they all that different," I was mostly refering to the fact that these inexpencive portable units have a steam pot just like the steam wonder as well as a frame and material like the steamy wonder. The biggests difference is that in the SW you are laying down.

What really makes the SW so much more costly than the inexpencive seated portables?? Is the SW gold lined or something?? There is only one other type like the steamy wonder I have seen. It is on ebay and cost about $800. Even at $800 I think these things are way over priced for what you are actually getting.

 

[Thong Man]

I've have seen a Steamy Wonder and a Steamy Wonder copy - the materials used in the copy were nowhere near the weight used in the steamy wonder, I would imagine a $80 steam cabinet on eBay would be fairly lightweight polyester, more like one of those kids' play tunnels - the FIR version I have seen was REALLY flimsy, just like a kids' play tunnel, but I've not seen a cheap eBay steam cabinet. I've seen the solid sit up steam capsules, which cost about $2000.

http://www.steamembrace.com/ stock the Steamy Wonder and the Portable Comfort Steam Sauna, which looks like an expensive version of the cheapy eBay ones. They'd probably be able to give you a better comparision like size of steam pot, how long it lasts, how quickly it heats up, how much steam comes out the top and into the room, how much water collects under the client etc.


A steam cabinet you can have outside the massage you, so you could have people steaming and someone being worked on, at the same time, over table canopy, the table is tied up while they steam.

 

[Ann]

Melb,

I have never seen a steamy wonder up close and personal as you have. Even still, the materials involved as well as the steam pot cannot cost that much. I imagine the labor would be more expencive than the materials needed. Even with all that taken into account, the only reason I can see them getting away with charging such a high price is because there are virtually no other table top steamer models. And, those that are out there are still high, over $800. I found another one for sale from Hawaii.

They will sell a lot more if they bring the price down.

 

[Thrust Dawkins]

the materials involved as well as the steam pot cannot cost that much.

I'm pretty sure I've seen somewhere that they use marine grade fabric, it is very heavy duty but still very light canvas type fabric. Marine grade fabrics ARE a lot more expensive that normal fabric, just like the difference in the quality of vinyl used on a massage table.

I am sure the Steamy Wonder is a overpriced - how over-priced, I don't know, but they also provide a lot of additional information for you, treatment ideas/product, support. How much is that worth?

The big difference between the steamy wonder and a steam cabinet is they lie down for the steamy wonder. Is there any difference in the experience for a client between lying down on a massage table and getting a massage or sitting in a kitchen chair and having a massage? I know what I would choose, but if I never had a massage on a massage table, maybe I'd be happy getting a massage on a kitchen chair.

 

[dolphin]

Yes, marine grade fabric is more expencive. I have looked into building one myself, but I have my engineering limitations. Maybe if I asked my dad...

Getting the materials isnt a problem, I can buy a nice big piece of Stamoid on ebay for less than $100.

I wish there was some way to suspend it from my ceiling more tent style instead of the frame work that the steamy wonder and others have.

 

[dottie]

Sacred Stone for $779

Sacred stone therapt offers a similuar tent for $779 plus $30 shipping

http://www.sacredstonehealing.com/supplies.htm

I bought one of these and one of the sit up kind on ebay. It really depends on what you want although I have to say the sit up kind is just as effective and puts out good steam. In fact, I use the steamer on the sit up kind on the tent. Great with aromatherapy. It just has a little uncomfortable chair that is easily replaced. If you want your clients to lie down, then the one from Sacred stone is better. The one from sacred stone also offers a ceu class in Swedhana therapy and gives directions. You will get no assistance from the site on ebay. Sacred stone uses marine grade material and is nearly identical to the steamy wonder. As far as I can see, the only thing it doesn't have is a built in themometer. You can easily purchase one if you like at Walmart.

The table is also good for wraps and aromatic steams. It is a great add on to your service and portable. Drawbacks is that it is rather cumbersome in small rooms. Clients love both.
If you purchace one, tell her that Sarita Kalu referred you.