A hand warmer is a portable packet that gives warmth to the hands, feet and other sensitive body parts during cold seasons. They are commonly used in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, skiing and fishing to keep the users warm and able to bear the freezing weather outside. Other types are also used to provide soothing heat and comfort for muscular and joint pains. Commonly, they are slipped inside the mittens, gloves, pockets or socks to keep the extremities warm. Depending on the type of warmer, these packets can last from 1 to 24 hours.

There are different types of hand warmers. The first type is the air-activated. This type generates heat in the process of exothermic oxidation. Once the packet is opened and exposed to air, the chemical reaction will already start. With salt and water present, the air will begin to enter into the tiny perforated holes in the packet and reacts to the iron that is inside the packet and form ferrous oxide and release heat. The absorbent material that is contained inside the packet, either vermiculite, pulverized wood or superabsorbent polymer, helps retain the moisture and prevent the heat leaving the reaction. On the other hand, the activated carbon present makes the heat produced evenly dispersed. This type of hand warmer is disposable and normally lasts from 1 to 10 hours.
The second type produced heat through exothermic crystallization of supersaturated solution. The magic in this kind of warmer is in the metal disc you see inside. Once the metal disc is snapped or clicked, the heat will then activated and starts the crystallization. Commonly, this type of warmer is reusable. Once the packet loses its warmth, you can easily place it in a boiling water to reset itself and ready to be used again.
Another type of hand warmer is the one which is powered by lighter fluid or liquid petroleum gas (LPG). It produces heat by reacting the lighter fluid or LPG in platinum catalyst by means of oxidation reactions. It can be reuse many times by simply refueling the warmer. Depending on the model, one can last up to 24 hours. However, the only disadvantage of this type of warmer is they produced a very distinctive smell.
Some hand warmers are battery-operated. This type is clean and very convenient as they do not produce unpleasant smell. Battery-operated warmers can use either disposal or rechargeable batteries. Disposal batteries are less costly, but they produced more waste. On the other hand, rechargeable batteries are more expensive, but they can be a wiser option as they can be reused many times.
Hand warmers do work, although some cannot provide enough heat, they still a great heat solution during unbearable freezing days. If you are enjoying outdoor activities like skiing, fishing and hiking, or simply have a lot of work to do outside the house, you can slipped them in your pocket, socks or gloves to provide you soothing warmth wherever you feel a chill. A hand warmer in the hand will help you bear the cold outside even for long hours.

Hand Warmer

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