I sewed a couple of hand warmers this afternoon for my husband's outdoor walks. I filled them with cracked corn. When I heated them in the microwave, they came out kind of wet. He liked the warmth, but said that the wetness would concern him while outside in the cold.

I also sewed myself a foot warmer and was looking forward to nice, warm "piggies" tonight. But if the warmer is going to get the sheets wet, it won't do me much good, will it?

Anyone else have these problems? Or solutions?

Thanks--Sue

I just bought deer corn to make warmers. I was going to put rice in them but another quilter said that deer corn was better as rice breaks up after much use. I haven't made them yet so I would be interested to the answer to your problem.

I will give you the secret! Use Flaxseed! It works wonderfully! Just don't over fill.

I think rice works as well as anything. I would think that corn would have more tendancy to get wet. I have seen commercial warmers that are loaded with nut hulls. Actually the thing probably wouldn't heat without catching on fire if it didn't have some moisture in it.

MY neck warmer is filled with buckwheat hulls.

Maybe a few more warmings and the corn will become dry enough to use. Or empty the warmer and bake the corn in the oven at a very low temp for a long time.

I would use the rice, we have a few made w/rice and no problems and we have used them for literaly years...

that corn will get moldy...

Where would be a good place to find flaxseed? I have made them with rice and really like how they work.

I've used rice and regular popping corn with no problems. They heat up nice and hot!

If you leave it in the microwave to long do they pop?

Warm hands and a snack.. Who knew!

I buy 50# bags of flaxseed at the local feed and grain store. You can buy smaller bags at health food stores.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. I wondered if the corn would eventually dry out from heating. I may empty the warmers and give that cracked corn to the birdies. Perhaps rice would be better.

Sue

I use rice and mine have been frozen for cold packs and heated in the microwave for a heat pack. The rice holds up well, so far, and I've been using it for over a year.

I also have been using rice with lavender or vanilla scent in the bag. The rice molds (sits well, not nasty mold) around the neck or on my piggies.

I've got bags filled with feed corn that have held up for a couple of years; they do get a bit steamy but not enough to dampen the sheets. And we haven't had any popping yet!

I use flax seed! Works great! You can buy it at a health food type of store, or try a store that has bulk bins~

I have made tons of these rice bags, we call them heaties, and I use the cheapest rice I can find and I have never had a problem. All my friends love them and request them. They are especially good for neck and back problems.

I've used corn for years. It doesn't mold. It does feel a little damp at first but it only takes a couple uses and it dries right out.

I think you need a bit of moisture to help prevent scorching. One site recommends spritzing bagwith water to add some moisture or just put a cup of water in micro. with the bag. That said, i have several that have been used for years with out anything additional being done to them. I have evem filled an odd sock with rice for a fast heating bag.

rice puts off a moist heat, but the bags do not get "wet" nor does the rice mold :D:D:D

Also make sure you use a natural fiber fabric to make the bags.

i have rice bags that have lasted 6 years now...and they don't smell like popped corn! and they do not get (wet) when you heat them or hold moisture, they just hold the heat. what kind of fabric did you use? i found ones with fleece seem to be much (wetter) than ones made in a muslin bag then inside a flannel cover. nice and warm without moisture or smell

Rice is cheap and works well, I would just go with that.

[quote=Jeanniejo]I just bought deer corn to make warmers. I was going to put rice in them but another quilter said that deer corn was better as rice breaks up after much use. I haven't made them yet so I would be interested to the answer to your problem.[/quoteI

I think rice or flaxfeed would be my choice.

I have used rice, I understand corn works better, stays warmer longer, but I get a bit concern about bugs and such with that. I will try flaxseed and seehow that works, thanks much!

Maybe the corn still had some moisture in it? Corn must be REALLY dried out.

I have used buckwheat hulls and not had to worry about moisture.

We use rice also, with lavendar or mint. A polarfleece cover absorbs moisture from the air and makes it damp. Very soothing
but we take the cover off if we don't want moist heat. I will try flaxseed too.

I used muslin for the inner bags and flannel for the outer "pillowcases". Don't know what the problem is. Maybe after I heat them a few times, they will dry out.

In the meantime, I'm going to make a couple of inner bags filled with rice. My cold feet can't wait any longer!!

Sue