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Heating pad type things without a microwave

post #1 of 7
Thread Starter 
The only thing I ever used our microwave for was heating up things like socks full of rice for sore muscles, headaches, etc. Now that our microwave is defunct, I'm really missing that I have no intention of replacing the dumb thing just for that one use. What do the rest of you microwave-free folks do for that? I used an electric heating pad once... for a few weeks until it gave me one heck of an electric shock in bed one night. Scared the bejezus out of me. No sireebob, don't trust the things. Besides, they're energy hogs.
post #2 of 7
i have one of those old fasion hot water bottles..you can buy them at CVS..walgreens..ect...i love it..i fill it full of hot water and use it instead of heating pad...they are like 8-10 dollars!
post #3 of 7
When I took a macrobiotic course, the teacher was against microwaves. He suggested heating up buckwheat groats (or rice) in the oven... and then pouring the hot grains into a pillowcase or sock. Not as fast as the nuker... but works the same. I think he said to put the grains on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at 250 for about an hour.
post #4 of 7
Thread Starter 
I considered a hot water bottle, but I most frequently use these things when I have a headache, and the smell of plastic makes me sick when my head hurts.

I also considered doing grains in the oven, but between how long it would take to get them hot enough, and the energy expense, I didn't feel that was practical. Over the winter, I could have kept a shallow pan of grains on top of the woodstove for this use, but now we're only using the woodstove at night. I guess the oven method is the only way, though. Hm... I wonder if they'd warm up more quickly if I put a pan of boiling water in the oven too? The steam would help heat them more quickly than dry air.

Thank you for the help!
post #5 of 7
I am hoping hoping you get more replies becuase I too have this dilemma. I was given a really nice neck warmer all velvety and delicious smelling...but it required heating in a microwave...so, re-gifted. Any more ideas anyone? I'm making note of the 'Buckwheat in the stove' idea too, thanks!:
post #6 of 7
Hot water bottles just dont settle around the body as well as a rice or whatever sock.
post #7 of 7
There are those plastic encased chemicals that contain a little metal coin and when you snap the coin it causes a chemical reaction and gets hot. Once you've consumed all its heat you boil it in water to get it back to its original state and you can reuse them. I couldn't tell you what's inside or how it works, but they do exist. Not sure if that's something you'd want to use or not?

What about putting those smooth little polished rocks into a frying pan for a few minutes, then pouring in a sock? Just thinking... Or why couldn't you just do that with rice or wheat? I would think it would be okay to heat them faster.
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