The Microwavable Hot Water Bottle
In Praise of the Hot Water Bottle
The days of mucking around with scorching hot water, boiling the kettle to fill a hot water bottle are over. One of the best, if underated, inventions of the 21st century is the microwavable hot water bottle. Not only do they last longer than ordinary hot water bottles but they are much easier to use and more effective.The bottles come in two forms - seed or water filled, the latter retaining heat for four hours or more...much longer than a conventional hot water bottle and of course, you never need to refill.
The simplicity and ease of use makes it a definite winner, as all you have to do is pop it in the microwave for a few of minutes and it's done - no fuss, no mess. As an added bonus, by placing them in the freezer they also work as a chiller pack, so if you have an injury or sore muscle that requires heat or cold, just whack one of these on there. They're extremely soothing and comfortable.
Buckwheat Seed Hot water Bottle
The Bucky Hottie Hot Water Bottle contains safe, non-toxic buckwheat seeds and comes with a machine washable, cosy cover available in a variety of colours.
These are great for hugging and if you have a sore, tender stomach or aching shoulder, they can really help. Soothing for menstrual cramps and tired aching muscles.
The Trouble with Electric Blankets
Before the invention of electric blankets, people used to use hot water bottles to feel snug and warm in bed and there's a lot to be said for it. For one thing you can direct the heat to wherever you wish, be it back, feet or some other body area and for another, the microwavable versions just make them so darn quick and easy. - heat one up while you're brushing your teeth, slip in into your bed and..voila, done!
Over the last few years there has been a greater consciousness of excessive energy usage and over-consumptiion of power appliancess. Apart from the rising costs of electricity, electric blankets do have another downside, as certain health risks have been associated with their long term use and I'm not just talking about the risk of burning the house down, though that does happen.
Electric blankets emit electric and magnetic fields. Sleeping on top of a device that emits radiation is not likely to maximise restfulness and could cause other problems. See the link below for a fact sheet on electric and magnetic fields:
Water Filled Microwavable Hot Waterbottle
The Jobri Hottie water filled hot water bottle at right offers, as the advertising hype states, " safety, convenience, comfort and warmth" without the risks posed by an electric blanket. Registered as a class 1 medical device this water bottle gives a therepeutic benefit and long lasting but gentle heat.
Each bottle comes with an acrylic/lambswool fleece and the bottle itself is a factory sealed laminate pouch, containing only water which has been absorbed on to a medical grade non woven pad.
Like the buckwheat bottle, this bag can be chilled in the freezer for cold pack purposes.
