Preparing for Winter

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

angelkissingdevil wrote: »

To be truthfully honest, I've never heard it on either. I've made and purchased both x[/quote

I can't speak for the wheat bags,as I don't have any but in the book that came with my microwave it says that there should always be some liquid or liquid based item in the microwave when it's switched on and suggests putting in a half cup full(still in cup of course) of water if not.It's all to do with the way a microwave works something to do with the liquid molecules.

oystercatcher

cheap_charlie wrote: »

I have recently purchased a couple of the wheat bags and there's nothing on the instructions about putting water in the microwave whilst heating them.

Can someone please confirm if you only need to do this with rice bags, or should it be done with the wheat ones too?

TIA :j

I have had two shopbought wheat bags for years and have never put water in with them as no instructions to do so.
The bags, the microwave and I are all fine

Oystercatcher

oystercatcher

Somehow hot water bottles are much more comforting than wheatbags. I think they stay warmer for longer too.

I also have two of those things that go warm when you click the metal thing which makes them crystallise. A big neck one and a little hand/pocket one. They are lovely but short lasting. I think I might keep them in the car in case of chilly breakdown.

Oystercatcher

Lesley_P.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE wrote: »

I know what you mean mardatha,I'm the same when my sciatica's bad.Nothing else feels the same.Even the smell of a hot water bottle when your'e filling it shouts comfort in an old fashioned way.

I don’t think there is anything as comforting and cuddly as a good old hot water bottle, and I know exactly what you mean, Mrs Tittlemouse, when you talk about the smell of the warm rubber. None of the modern alternatives even begin to compare either in terms of comfort or value for money. I could never be without mine; they are one of the best inventions ever!

kethry

re: rice/wheat bags and the reason for the water. What can happen with repeated reheatings of the rice/wheat is that they can get very very dry, and - again with repeated reheatings - they can get so hot that they start to smoulder. There was a warning from the New Zealand fire service a while back from people who had used their wheat bags to warm their beds, and suffered fires as a result. If you either spritz the bag with a little water (in theory could spritz with water mixed with a tiny bit of essential oil to make it smell nice) or put a cup filled with water in the microwave with it, it prevents that extreme dryness and smouldering occuring.

few links on the subject: one in the UK, the warning from NZ, instructions on using one here which does include the thing about putting water in the m-wave first, another one here in the UK, and finally a thread on them here from MSE which also includes warning info.

hope that's helpful!

keth
xx

Barneysmom

I'm looking on the Wilkinsons website for the condensation crystal but don't know what to put in the search box?

http://www.wilkinsonplus.com/icat/summertoysleisure

BigMummaF

I'm wondering if I could make up some "Preparing for Winter Survival Kit" thingies to give peeps next crimbo...just wish I'd thought of it in time for this year But then, I have the January sales to pick up hats, gloves, scented candles etc to put in them

rach

Please could anyone tell me where to get some of that foamy stuff to put around the doors as draught excluders? And the instant double glazing stuff for windows? I'm guessing B&Q would do it but its a bit of a trek. I can relatively easily get to woolies, wilkos and homebase or focus...

rosieben

BigMummaF wrote: »

I'm wondering if I could make up some "Preparing for Winter Survival Kit" thingies to give peeps next crimbo...just wish I'd thought of it in time for this year But then, I have the January sales to pick up hats, gloves, scented candles etc to put in them

Great idea BMF, I think I'll be doing that next year too :j

rach wrote: »

Please could anyone tell me where to get some of that foamy stuff to put around the doors as draught excluders? And the instant double glazing stuff for windows? I'm guessing B&Q would do it but its a bit of a trek. I can relatively easily get to woolies, wilkos and homebase or focus...

Wilkos is the most likely bet I would have thought but it depends on what size the shops are really, our local woolies is very small and has nothing much useful, so its usually a trip to the nearest town which is an hour away

pagangirl

If you try putting moisture trap or moisture trap refill - that should bring up condensation crystals for you in Wilko's catalogue - good luck !