Click on the Questions to view the answers

What is in the pad?
How is the heat produced?
How do you reuse the pad?
How long will the Super-Heater™ Heat Pack last?
How many times can they be used?
What are the white crystals that form in the liquid pad?
What happens if the pad gets a hole in it?
What is the best way to use the pad outdoors when it's cold?
Can I recharge the pad without boiling?
Can I use the pad as a cold pack?

Q: What is in the pad?
The pad contains water, food grade sodium acetate trihydrate (an ingredient in salt and vinegar potato chips) and a stainless steel disc. When the pad is in its liquid state it is a "super saturated" solution.

Q: How is the heat produced?
Flexing the metal disc in the liquid pad creates a seed crystal that starts a chain reaction causing the pad to crystallize. This crystallization ALWAYS occurs at a temperature of 54o C.

Once activated, the Super Heater has available to it a predetermined amount of energy. It will use this energy to increase the temperature of the pad to 54o C and use whatever is left to maintain that temperature. This ability to produce heat for a period of time is accomplished because all of the liquid does not crystallize immediately. Molecules that were not required to heat the pad to its maximum temperature will remain liquid, and crystallize as required, to maintain the maximum temperature. This means that a pad that is warm will maintain its maximum temperature longer than one that is cold.

Q: How do you reuse the pad?
Once the Super Heater has given off all of its heat it will remain in its crystallized state until it is recharged. This is accomplished by placing the crystallized pad in boiling water for 5 to 20 minutes (depending upon the size of the pad) until all of the crystals are melted. Once completely liquefied, remove the Super Heater from the water and store it until it is required. The Super Heater should remain liquid as it cools. If crystals form as the pad cools it has not been boiled long enough and should be re-boiled.

Q: How long will the Super-Heater™ Heat Pack last?
This is a difficult question to answer. To start with, each heat pack has a different amount of time it will last. Depending on the size of the heat pack, temperature of where it is being used (inside or outside) and how well the heat pack is insulated or wrapped. The heat pack will vary depending on the situation and condition of where you live. In most cases the only way to really can tell how long the heat pack will last in your area or under the certain conditions you wish to use the heat pack is to test it out for yourself. Although, here is an average time on each heat pack that we have collected from some of our customers that have ordered our heat packs.

Average Times:

Q: How many times can they be used?
There is no limit as to the number of times a Super Heater can be used. There are pads still in use after eighteen years. The pad will not operate if there is a hole in the vinyl. Super Heater is manufactured from the same vinyl as is used in water beds and comes with a one year warranty.

Q: What are the white crystals that form in the liquid pad?
If the Super Heater has been stored in its crystallized state for an extended period of time, a small amount of water can evaporate from the pad and cause the solution to become more concentrated. This higher concentration is indicated by "snowflake like" crystals in the liquid pad. The pad will still operate but at a slightly higher temperature. This water loss can be substantially reduced by storing the pad in its liquid state and may be reversed by extending the boiling times and by leaving the pad in water to cool.

Q :What happens if the pad gets a hole in it?
If a liquid Super Heater gets a hole in it, it will activate. The pad is then not able to be recharged and may be disposed of with normal garbage. The contents are not dangerous and may be dealt with as if you were dealing with normal salt.

Q: What is the best way to use the pad outdoors when it's cold?
Just before you go out, pre-heat the liquid Super Heater in a sink of hot water. (the hotter the better) Store the pad as close to your body as possible (don't activate the pad) and you can use this heat to keep you warm as the pad cools. Once the pad has cooled to a point where you are getting cold, activate the liquid pad and it will heat to keep you warm longer.
Please note that vinyl gets brittle when it gets very cold and can be easily damaged.

Q: Can I recharge the pad without boiling?
Yes the pad can be recharged using other sources of heat. Do not Microwave the Super Heater. A food warmer will also melt the crystals. The concern is that you do not have it so hot as to melt the vinyl, while still
having enough heat to melt the crystals.
You also have to watch with any method you are using so that the pad
does not swell up and cause a seam to break.

Q: Can I use the pad as a cold pack?
Yes the pad can be used as a cold pack. Place the pad in your fridge (NOT THE FREEZER) for an hour before use then simply use it as you would a cold pack. The Super Heater will hold cold without being too cold.