What better than being able to heat up your hands instantly during chilly winter days? If you wonder ‘how’, the hand warmer may surprise you with its effective, yet easy operations.
Hand warmers are heat packs or can be battery-powered devices, designed to be held in the hands to offer sufficient warmth. The electric heat warmers have compact and ergonomic designs that you can easily slip into your pockets while traveling. These models have rechargeable batteries that can offer up to 6 to 12 hours of heating. The other type of heat warmer is the single-use air-activated heat pack that can warm your hands in just 20 to 30 minutes.
These ready-to-use hand warmers are best used during hiking or on your camping trips. You can also use them while traveling to ensure that your hands stay warm, even during the cold winter days. Hand warmers are available in different types and that is why it is important to know which type to buy as per your usage.
Types of Warmers
Air Activated
The most common type of warmer is the air-activated hand warmer that is designed to be used for one time. As the name suggests, these hand warmers use the free flow of air to get activated and generate heat through the rusting process. They are made of ingredients like iron powder, activated charcoal, sodium chloride, and vermiculite. The porous activated charcoal serves two purposes; one is to provide water for rusting process and the second is to ensure the even spread of the heat.
Supersaturated Solution
Supersaturated solutions are very similar to how air-activated warmers work, except for the fact that you can use these warmers more than once. They have a gel filling; the gel of sodium acetate mixture. The solution gets activated by a release button or popping of a small pliable metal disc that triggers a thermodynamic reaction to give out heat. To reuse the same packets again, you will need to put them in boiling water. Once the solution turns into a liquid state, you can again pop the metal disc to repeat the heating process.
Lighter Fuel
A light fuel warmer is another type of hand warmer that uses a combustible lighter fluid in the reservoir to produce heat. Some of these hand warmers like Zippo 12-Hour Refillable Hand Warmer do not produce visible flames but they still carry out chemical reactions that burn the lighter fuel. While using this type, you may still need a lighter or matches to start the burning process. However, the downside of this type of warmer is its fuel cost, setup time, and the release of carbon monoxide which can be hazardous.
Battery Powered
The battery-powered handwarmers are the most economical and environmentally friendly way of keeping your hands warm. Such hand warmers use battery power to convert electrical energy into heat energy through the resistive heating panels. The battery life of these devices can range from 6 to 12 hours based on heating levels and use.
How do Hand Warmers work?
Hand warmers are available in distinct types as explained above, and each type has its unique working mechanism. The common working principle that every type follows is to trigger the heat source which can be either fuel, chemical components, or the heating panel to generate heat. The warmer can get your hands warm in up to 30 minutes and then your hands will stay warm for many hours. Some models like OVALDENT Hand Warmer can also be used as a portable power bank.
Hand warmers are especially useful for your camping trips, along with top-rated camping hammocks. You can also read our other blog to know what are the benefits of buying a camping hammock.
How hot does a hand warmer get?
The hand warmer can easily reach the average temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit, while some other models can reach the maximum temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit. The electric warmers feature adjustable intensity levels that allow you to set the temperature as per your heating needs. The Zippo Rechargeable Hand Warmer offers 6 levels of intensity and up to 120 degrees F or 50 degrees C of operating temperature.
Do hand warmers have side effects?
Well, the answer is yes. If you are using hand warmers the wrong way, you may end up with burns on your hands, or if you mistakenly or accidentally ingested contents of hand warmer, then it may lead to the oral cavity and gastrointestinal disorders. It is important to not place hand warmers within direct contact with your hands. You also need to be extra careful when using air-activated hand warmers.
How to use a hand warmer?
Using a hand warmer is easy and can provide you with warm hands for long hours. Follow the below-mentioned steps to use a hand warmer effectively.
- Tear the outer package and expose it to air. Shake the warmer to activate the ingredients inside
- Wear your thin liner pair to avoid direct contact
- Place the warmer on your liner’s palm from the adhesive side
- Now, wear a pair of winter gloves
These steps are for using air-activated hand warmers. For electric warmers, you need to charge them before use, and once charged, you can simply hold them bare-handed. Make sure you keep the heat intensity level as low in such models. However, to use them at a higher heat intensity setting, you can use them while wearing a thin liner pair.
Conclusion
Hand warmers are an excellent purchase to ensure that your winters go comfortably and smoothly. Whether you are working outdoors or going camping, warm hands will add more comfort and functionality to your trips. You will be able to carry out your tasks more effortlessly. And, the best way to get warm hands is to use the right type of warmer. These hand warmers or top-quality camping hand warmers not only warm your hands, but you can also use them to warm your feet too.
Along with a camping hand warmer, you will also need to carry other camping essentials on your next camping trip. If camping is on your list you must read our other blog for the 3 camping essentials you will need for your next camping trip.
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