neck and shoulder pad
 

Made this at my quilt class last Thursday. The bigger part drapes over your neck and shoulders and the smaller two parts go in front laying on your chest. You heat it up in the microwave and it serves as a heating pad. Here is my problem...it if filled with almost 6lbs of white rice, well I have a real problem with that. Using food in it. I would appreciate any suggestions from you as to what else I could use in that would be safe in the microwave instead of using a food item. I could have fed my grandkids with that much rice over a period of 2 weeks. Help!!

My friend uses corn kernels, the kind farmers grow for pig food.

I have used rice in hand warmers, and it works wonders! Rice is relatively inexpensive, so just go ahead and use it!

Rice warming pads will sometimes cause infestation of pantry moths which are hard to get rid of. I got those an it took months to rid my house if them. You can use deer/squirrel corn ($5 at Walmart or order cherry pits for crafting online. The pits are clean, work really well and you can add fragrant oils such as lavender.

I've heard of using deer corn! These pads are wonderful!!

I have never heard of a non-food item used in one of these. The other alternatives are going to be a food items: corn, buckwheat hulls etc.

I have used flax seed and deer corn with good success. Hope you find something that works for you!

What about plain old sand? Would that get too heavy?

Probably a really ignorant question, but - The corn won't pop in the microwave?

The corn doesn't pop, but it does get a toasted smell which I don't like. My favorite was scented buckwheat hulls, but the dog helped herself to that one. I don't see how any varmints could live in a bag that's heated often.