Using Hand warmers as a UQ reactor

[daveocelott]

I used hot hands in my hammock this last weekend at the nehha hang. Worked very well. Had four in my sleeping bag two for the rear and one for the feet and a floater that ended up on my chest.

[Shane]

The thing about handwarmers is that they're a chemical reaction and so are prone to variation. If you have naturally sweaty or moist hands the warmers are going to burn out faster, and they DO burn. That's how they generate their heat. The idea is that the reaction is slow enough that they don't actually ignite. So, while they do provide heat as advertised you have to figure that they're going to provide more heat and faster for some people than for others and that different brands will work better than others.

The reaction inside the pouch is usually just rusting. They fill the pouch with iron powder or filings and as it rusts from the water that comes off your hands, they produce heat.

I thought they contained everything but the oxygen needed to oxidize the iron.

[Donk_67]

During last weekend's hang, I activated a hand warmer planning to use it to dry a hat some. I thought I'd hold it until it became warm before placing it in my hat... I fell asleep, waking 4hrs later sweating profusely and not understanding why until I found the hand warmer in my bag the next morning. :-)

[Storytellertn]

Great idea!

[HammockHunter]

I thought they contained everything but the oxygen needed to oxidize the iron.

Correct and when you shake them up it let's the O2 in and the reaction begins.

[Demeter]

I love toe warmers. Whenever the temp gets below 40* I use them when I go running to keep my toes from getting numb (circulatory problems, sigh).

Anyway, want to let you know that Walmart.com had them for $22 per case of 40 pairs. That works out to a little over 50 cents a pair! which is one-fourth what they are in the store.

I bought 2 cases cos I go through so many of them with skiing and hiking. They may still have them..

[_jstevens2010_]

I have had good luck w the 10-12 hour ones they make it through the night for me. I recommend the Large Size that you can get from Walmart. The small ones well they are just to small.. Interesting idea on putting them in the underquilt. Ill try that but as if now i like my handwarmers inside the hammock with me so that I can move them around to different areas for warmth during the night.

[Ospreydog]

Do you wait until you start getting a chill or do you just go ahead and put a few in the under quilt for insurance?

[Shane]

Do you wait until you start getting a chill or do you just go ahead and put a few in the under quilt for insurance?

I get them going about an hour before I turn in.

Also, this weekend at the Grayson Highlands hang(2.2 degrees!) , in the morning I took the handwarmers and put them in my boots a while before I got out and the boots were toasty then

[Ospreydog]

I will defiantly take several packs with me on my backpacking trips. Thanks great tip.