merge edit

I disagree with the suggested merge. A hand warmer is similar to a heating pad, perhaps, if anything, it can be considered a type of heating pad at best. But heating pads are often used as medical devices, particularly for athletic injuries, whereas hand warmers are jsut about always used for cold-weather comfort. furthermore, I've never heard of a handwarmer that could be plugged into a wall socket. If anything, this article should be expanded, and hand warmer should be merged here, not vice versa. Shaggorama 06:17, 12 January 2006 (UTC)Reply

I misread the merge proposal because it was not specified anywhere. To clarify, I agree with merging Hand warmer into this article. Shaggorama 20:17, 18 January 2006 (UTC)Reply

Although some of the material is duplicated, the problem is really one of definition. If a hand warmer is something quite distinct from a heating pad (and I think it is) then I suggest separate articles are more appropriate as long as there are clear links between them and any overlap is explained. The fact that they might operate on the same principle is not relevant to the argument, but perhaps those principles should have their own articles. --Shantavira 19:48, 27 February 2006 (UTC)Reply


I Disagree with the Proposed Merge, as the items described by each page are clearly different. Some designs of each may have similarities, ie. method of heat production, but a rigid hardwarmer containing a stick of activated carbon would be no use to you following an injury. The two pages should stay separate, and perhaps the information on the recrystalisation heat generation method should be moved to a separate page. Sandothegrate 15:17, 1 March 2006 (UTC)Reply


  Not done. No consensus; no discussion since 2006. -M.Nelson (talk) 22:14, 24 February 2010 (UTC)Reply

Supercooled/Supersatuated edit

Supercooled is the term used for a liquid that has temperature below its freezing point but does not have the energy required for the change. Supersaturated is the wrong term, as it applies to solutions that have a greater amount of solute than the solution can normally hold at its temperature. -Tabmoc72 17 January 2006

Agreed - in this case it is a supersaturated solution. Sodium acetate trihydrate dissolves in its own water of crystallisation when heated and doesn't re-crystalise when cooled until triggered. The solution is therefore super-saturated not super-cooled nor is it below any freesing point. Add a little more water to make it a normal solution at NTP and the freezing point will be found somewhat below 0 degrees C. Velela 09:04, 18 January 2006 (UTC)Reply

Considering the edit war over this point, I think something to this effect should be added to the article. Lots of people have mistakenly believed that the solid formation is due to freezing rather than recrystalisation. njh 09:30, 18 January 2006 (UTC)Reply
Happy to do that but would suggest this is left for a couple of days to ensure all contributors are content that we have the right answer. Velela 09:38, 18 January 2006 (UTC)Reply


The heating pad information is useful in part because of the link to heating (easy for a student to make the connection), so if you do merge, please consider merging handwarmer into heating pad

Fomentation edit

Is this the same as fomentation? I typed in fomentation and was redirected to this article, but there's nothing in the article mentioning fomentation. 86.138.46.95 (talk) 10:42, 25 March 2010 (UTC)Reply

Not really. Fomentation is probably an archaic term which refers to the moist hot compresses much beloved of Victorian doctors and involved mustard plasters, wheat bags etc. It was both the moistness and warmth that was apparently beneficial and they were intended to relieve pain and discomfort. Not quite the same as a heating pad which is simply designed to warm cold extremities.  Velella  Velella Talk   11:45, 19 December 2010 (UTC)Reply

ignition of wheat filling citation edit

The article mentions the need for a citation for ignition risk. Three potential instances of ignition were mentioned in a news article yesterday: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-04-30/coroner-recommends-public-warning-over-wheat-bag-fire-risk/4661084 — Preceding unsigned comment added by 121.215.213.254 (talk) 23:58, 30 April 2013 (UTC)Reply

failure modes edit

It seems to me that discussion of failure modes for different types of heating pads could be part of the article. Hot water bottles can leak. Electrical pads can short out. That is, not a how to guide, but statistics on less than desirable outcomes. Gah4 (talk) 20:57, 4 April 2018 (UTC)Reply

Agreed. See next section. yoyo (talk) 18:54, 2 July 2019 (UTC)Reply

Microwave hot gel bottle edit

Recently I've seen advertisements for a "microwave hot gel bottle", which apparently is:

  • a bottle analogous to a traditional hot water bottle,
  • filled with some kind of gel (presumably one of high specific-heat capacity) instead of water, and
  • intended to be heated in a microwave oven.

Some reviews of such products also mention "toxic gels". I believe that the article now needs to:

  • be updated to include information on such devices; and
  • include information on the safety and health risks of the various device types.

yoyo (talk) 18:52, 2 July 2019 (UTC)Reply

That will need good reliable and independent sources. Advertisements are not appropriate sources.  Velella  Velella Talk   19:04, 2 July 2019 (UTC)Reply

How about adding a section on Infrared heating pads? edit

How about adding a section on Infrared heating pads?

See: Inframed Therapy Systems 6115 - 4 Street SE Calgary AB T2H 2H9 https://www.thermotex.com https://www.thermotex.com/product/thermotex-gold Thermotex GOLD How to use on Back https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGnRv1NgFJ4&list=WL&index=1 Using Far Infrared Heat for Pain Relief - Ask Doctor Jo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZWbyxPT-lQ&list=WL&index=3 Cdnrav4x4 (talk) 05:03, 12 November 2021 (UTC)Reply