I've made dozens of rice bags. As for the smell, it only lasts for a couple of "heatings". The rice also provides "moist" heat since it has the tendency to absorb moisture as it sits for awhile. My hubby and I have used some of them for years before the cotton cover wore thru. I make them over-sized. Each bag has 4-5 sections and is 24" long. I pattern them after one I received as a gift years ago. That person got it at her chiropractor's office!