An indirect hot water cooling device for a steam humidifier. The steam humidifier has a body of hot water and a drain valve for draining the body of hot water. The device includes a reservoir separate from the steam humidifier and receiving hot water from the steam humidifier drain valve; a connection from the steam humidifier drain valve to the reservoir; a re-circulating source of chilled water; a connection from the re-circulating source of chilled water to the reservoir; and a drain outlet from the reservoir. A method of draining a steam humidifier includes the steps of: draining the hot water in the humidifier to a separate reservoir; supplying re-circulating chilled water to the separate reservoir; and draining cooled water from the separate reservoir.