I made a heating pad with rice out of a small square pillow case that I bought at the dollar store. I ripped out the zipper and sewed it up for microwave use. I used the pad maybe 20 times and then it exploded in the microwave. The rice was smelling like pop corn each time. When it exploded, the rice was burned. I used just plain white rice and heated it for up to 5 minutes each time as it was about 5 lbs of rice.
By Blessedx100
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I've been making, using and giving microwave heating pads to many people for the last 24 years and have never had this problem. I use feed corn sometimes called field corn. 50 lb bags for 10 - 15 dollars. Makes a LOT of heating pads. 5 minutes is too long. I think 5 pounds of rice is too much. I usually take a piece of printer paper (8 by 11) and use it as a rough pattern.
I use fleece which usually causes the pads to be a little moist sometimes. Sometimes I use cotton flannel. I fill the bags to just over half full, you don't want them too heavy. I tell people 2-3 minutes max. Yes these do smell a little funky at first but I usually add lavender buds, or essential oils. Lavender is nice and peppermint is really nice also. They stay warm for a very long time.
Cherry pits can also be used, you can get them online but I only use feed corn. You can just fill a sock up and tie the end and it will work. Ikea has these fleece/flannel blankets for like 2 or 3 dollars they have cut out pattern designs around the edges. You can make many heating pads and then make pillow cases for them with the decorated edges.
Very nice very "thrifty", loved by all . You can make many Christmas presents for under $20 yea! Microwave 2-3 min. If you live where it's cold heat one up before getting in the car and rest it on your lap, it will keep you warm till the car heats up. You can make them in many shapes and sizes. Also small ones for pockets, just heat them for about 1 minute. Oops! Sorry I got carried away. Oh, you can also put them in the freezer and use as a cold pack.
I never heat the ones I made with rice for more than 2 1/2 or 3 minutes on high.
I also agree that 5 minutes was likely too long. I have one my neighbour made for me; it is filled with wheat and she put 3 or 4 cloves in it for the aroma. I have had the cloves overheat and char the flannel, and make a little hole.
the time is too long... i cook mine for about 1:30 on high and its burning hot.. i say mine is about 3 or 4 lbs. and I've props cooked it more than 100 times so ya...... if u cook it for any longer, then it smells like burnt rice; but u can solve that problem by simply spraying it with some perfume
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