Hello all:
Got some questions on old handwarmers. I inherited a couple of handwarmers from my late grandfather. Not sure how old either of them are, and there's not much in the way of markings. One of them has vent holes and a wick, looks like it might take lighter fluid. The other is a folding pencil-type case with a velvet exterior; the interior is lined with what looks like asbestos. I found some fuel sticks for it. They look like silver metallic bars (magnesium based?). I'm guessing you get one lit and then place it in the asbestos case and let it do a slow burn.
I'm wondering, are either of these safe to use? Are these something you use intermittently, and then blow out when they get too hot, or do they burn at low enough heat that it's safe to put one in a side pocket while it's still active? I'd like to put these to use on the next excursion, but thought I'd find out more before I burned a hole in my coat. Anybody got experience with either of these types?
Got some questions on old handwarmers. I inherited a couple of handwarmers from my late grandfather. Not sure how old either of them are, and there's not much in the way of markings. One of them has vent holes and a wick, looks like it might take lighter fluid. The other is a folding pencil-type case with a velvet exterior; the interior is lined with what looks like asbestos. I found some fuel sticks for it. They look like silver metallic bars (magnesium based?). I'm guessing you get one lit and then place it in the asbestos case and let it do a slow burn.
I'm wondering, are either of these safe to use? Are these something you use intermittently, and then blow out when they get too hot, or do they burn at low enough heat that it's safe to put one in a side pocket while it's still active? I'd like to put these to use on the next excursion, but thought I'd find out more before I burned a hole in my coat. Anybody got experience with either of these types?