In winters, we prefer to use hand warmers to keep our hands warm, which are small packets capable of producing heat on demand to warm cold hands.
While heating hand warmers, we always have the question of whether or not microwave hand warmers. You must know that yes, you can microwave hand warmers if the filling inside the hand warmer is made up of rice or other organic material.
To heat hand warmer in the microwave-
- Put the pair of hand warmer in the microwave.
- Run the microwave on high for 15 seconds.
- Flip the hand warmers and microwave for another 15 seconds.
- Take them out of the appliance carefully and ensure that they are not too hot before handling them.
Once hot, these hand warmers can make your hands warm for up to 30 minutes.
Tips to Keep Hand Warmers Clean for a Long Time
Since you cannot fully wash your hand warmer, you should follow a few things mentioned below so that these last long and remain clean.
- While microwaving them, always keep them on a clean surface in the microwave to avoid any grease, oil, or food left behind in your microwave from getting transferred to the hand warmer.
- Never submerge the hand warmer in the water. If the fabric gets wet, clean them and dry them completely before using it.
By providing this little care, you will be able to use hand warmers for a long time maybe year after year.
Different Uses of Hand Warmers
Apart from keeping your hands and feet warm, these hand warmers can be used in several other things also.
- Cold pack – Put them in the freezer for 1 hour and can be used as a cold pack.
- Heating pad – When heated, these can be used to soothe pains and aches.
- For keeping lunches hot – When microwaved, the hand warmers can be kept in an insulated lunch tote to keep your lunch hot.
- Aromatherapy – When the uncooked rice in the hand warmer is added with your favorite essential oil, you will get aromatherapy each time you use them.
- Warm your bed – During camping, you can keep them inside your sleeping bag to keep yourself warm and toasty.
How to microwave hand warmer mittens and gloves?
To microwave hand warmer mittens and gloves, follow the steps mentioned below:
- Place the hand warmer mittens or gloves in the microwave.
- Microwave them on high for 20-30 seconds.
- Turn the mittens or gloves so that the other side is heated equally.
- Microwave again for 30 seconds.
Take them out but be careful, they may be hot to touch. Use the hand warmer mittens and gloves as and when required.
These hand warmer mittens and gloves are used to keep your hand warm during winters. The other important use of these is for the elder people with hand pain due to rheumatoid joints, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, or can be used in inflammation.
Even for those who suffer from pain in fingers due to their job that involves long time use of a computer, these hand warmers can be very helpful in relieving the pain.
How long to microwave hot hands?
It takes around 30 seconds to microwave hot hands. Once 15 seconds are done, the hot hands should be flipped and microwaved for another 15 seconds. This will ensure both sides of the hot hands are microwaved equally and you can use them for a long time.
The time mentioned above is for the hot hands made up of rice. If you have chemical hand warmers, you should not microwave them as they can explode and damage the microwave.
How long do hand warmers last?
The hand warmers can last for 10-13 hours depending on the type and the source of heat:
Types of hand warmers-
- Air activated– These contain cellulose, iron, activated carbon, vermiculite, and salt. When it is exposed to air, heat is produced by the exothermic oxidation of iron. Such hand warmers take 15-30 minutes to heat up and remain warm for 1-10 hours but heat diminishes after 1-2 hours.
- Supersaturated crystallization type – It has a small metal disk that provides heat to the hand warmers when it is immersed in very hot water. This hand warmer remains hot for 7-10 hours.
- Battery-operated hand warmers – In these, the electric energy of the battery is converted into heat by making use of electrically resistive heating devices. It can provide heat for up to 6 hours.
- Charcoal hand warmers – These provide heat by burning charcoal and last up to 6 hours. These hand warmers are comfortably hot.
- Rice hand warmers – These hand warmers are made up of organic material and can be heated easily within 30-40 seconds. Such hand warmers last for 30 minutes.
Can hand warmers catch fire?
Yes, a hand warmer can catch fire if it is a liquid fuel hand warmer. In this, lighter fluid is filled in the hand warmer which is ignited at the catalytic burner unit.
When there is evaporation and oxidation of the liquid fuel, the heat is generated in it. It is capable of providing warmth for up to 12 hours.
In case, the user adds too much lighter fuel or uses inappropriate fuel, it can catch fire while igniting.
Safety tips while using hand warmers-
- Microwavable hand warmers – These are heated in the microwave and can be re-used. They can be harmful when fluid gets leaked. Therefore, it is advised to check the instructions before heating like suggested heating time, output power required of the microwave, etc.
- Sodium acetate hand warmer – These are heated by boiling in water for 10-20 minutes. There should not be direct contact with them for which the user should separate the bags with a towel from the bottom of the utensils. Also, never put them in the microwave for recharging.
Can hand warmers be reused?
Yes, hand warmers can be reused if it contains the supersaturated solution of sodium acetate.
When this hand warmer is heated, sodium acetate crystallizes and releases heat. When the used packet is boiled, the solution gets restored to its supersaturated state. In this way, the hand warmer is reset and can be reused.
On the other hand, disposable hand warmers are not reusable as they contain iron powder, salt, absorbent material, water, and activated carbon.
When the pouch containing all these is warmed, oxygen drifts outside the covering of the pouch and reacts with the iron powder in the presence of salt and water to form an iron oxide that releases heat.
Conclusion
The hand warmer is commonly used on cold days to provide comfort to the chilly fingers. To use a hand warmer, you need to heat it first and some of these can be microwaved for 20-30 seconds.
Many kinds of hand warmers can provide warmth in cold weather from 6-12 hours. The reusable hand warmers like those made from rice can be microwaved which helps you to embrace winters with warm hands.