How do you heat these up to use as hot packs? Boiling water soak? Anyone tried these yet to keep hot food hot?
1588130
We have only used these for keeping things cold and they work great. We soak them in water and then freeze them. Not sure about heat but i would try putting them in boiling water but don't boil them.
1479477
Yes, it can be heated in a pan. Bring pan of water to boil (enough water to thoroughly cover pack, but do not leave pack in water). Remove pan from heated stove top and submerge pack in hot water for 6-8 minutes. Remove pack from water with kitchen tong, and wipe dry. Using a thin hand towel wrap pack in towel and apply to area. Don't put hot pack directly on skin.
685729
I wouldn't use them for boiling hot items...they do go through the dishwasher safely and leave no tastes
19491
I have used them for veges and home made soup, on Med heat. You need to partially thaw first to make sure there are no holes in the bag. Probably would work for Spaggeti sauce, but I wouldn't boil the water then put the bag and contents in if its a rapid boil. Have to experiment.
1879919
Boil them...pressure cookers are great for this. You can also clean them w bleach.
2023695
I own these and I wouldn't pour boiling water in them. I have had hot liquids in them before, but not at boiling temperature.
695729
There is a small disk that can barely be seen in the photo, you simply snap the disk and the entire pack will begin to crystallize. That is how it heats, it is a self heating pack. To get them to go back to a liquid state you boil them in water for 15 minutes and you can then use them over and over again.
1583633
I am not sure about boiling water. They do hold up in Temps of 170 for several hours.
1422766
I threw away my packaging but I am almost positive it said not to boil it or immerse it in hot water. I think it might melt or heat unevenly.If you don't have a microwave, I used hand towels I soaked in hot water until I got this item, they just lost their heat faster and got my clothes wet but they did work.
1368806
Yes! You can boil these. If you are concerned about them melting, you may want to bring your water to a good rolling boil then throw them into to the pot and put a top on it. Turn off the heat and let it sit there for about 10 minutes. Then take them out with a pair of tongs and let air dry on a clean towel. I hope this helps! :)
519899
They can get hot. For example I microwaved broccoli in one of the bowls with a plate set over the top yesterday for 3 minutes and I had to usepot holders to take out out. Just a typical plate of food for a minute or two doesn't get overly hot.
562041
They're hard plastic, so I would use soap and water. Probably not boil them. (I didn't really use them much because they were too hard and uncomfortable for me.)
632165
The hotter the water you soak them in the better. I usually put them into my pot of boiling water and let them steep in it for at least an hour on the edge of the fire before even trying to do things with them. It does help to season the water with salt, pepper, garlic while steeping. The final texture isn't quite like fresh but they do soften up very well. If you're preparing them at home for use in soups or stews about 2-4 minutes in the microwave covered in water works quite well also. I have used the peppers and onions in this manner in potato salad and they remain crisp in the salad and don't fall apart or get mushy. The celery would probably work just as well too. The hotter the water you soak them in the better. I usually put them into my pot of boiling water and let them steep in it for at least an hour on the edge of the fire before even trying to do things with them. It does help to season the water with salt, pepper, garlic while steeping. The final texture isn't quite like fresh but they do soften up very well. If you're preparing them at home for use in soups or stews about 2-4 minutes in the microwave covered in water works quite well also. I have used the peppers and onions in this manner in potato salad and they remain crisp in the salad... » Read More The hotter the water you soak them in the better. I usually put them into my pot of boiling water and let them steep in it for at least an hour on the edge of the fire before even trying to do things with them. It does help to season the water with salt, pepper, garlic while steeping. The final texture isn't quite like fresh but they do soften up very well. If you're preparing them at home for use in soups or stews about 2-4 minutes in the microwave covered in water works quite well also. I have used the peppers and onions in this manner in potato salad and they remain crisp in the salad and don't fall apart or get mushy. The celery would probably work just as well too. « Show Less
1801299
They did just fine in boiling water. That was how we washed them at our girl scout camp. When we came home, I put it all through the dish washer for an extra cleansing.
1441322
I have placed them in boiling water before to heat contents. Just don't let the bag rest against the hot pan out of the water and only Boil long enough to to heat the contents
1565629
We have only used these for cold items. Though I have not tried hot items, I can say they keep the cold food cold for at least four hours in my children's school lunch bags. We do not use ice packs.
617846
They do last better with lower heats. I have one pan I use to boil water. It eventually ruins the nonstick finish, but it's just one pan...the others are still like new.