Lighter fluid Hand warmers

Zradix · November 14, 2017, 02:49:00 PM

hey Gang,

I was given an old Jon-E hand warmer a couple years ago.
It was the "big" one.

I've used it a few times with lighter fluid.
Always worked very well, but had a definite lighter fluid smell.
..as such I never used it for hunting.

I've used the chem packs and hot snaps.
The hot snaps got very warm very quickly but don't stay warm long...and after about 10 uses I couldn't get them to stay liquid/ready anymore...they'd just go into reaction after a few minutes.

We all know about the chem packs...they work most of the time.
One of the nicest things about them is you can place them about anywhere...boots, collar, kidneys, pockets etc.

Anyway...as I'm getting older my hands keep getting more sensitive to the cold.

I know knew that old Jon-E got HOT and was thinking of using it...though I know the smell would drive me crazy thinking I'm stinking up the woods.

So I figured why not see how other things burn in it that might not be so stinky.

I've tried pure methanol 2 times now.
I filled the warmer up to the point it just wouldn't hold any more and lit it up.

The 1st time there was still some lighter fluid smell...burning of the old residue and such I'm sure.

The 2nd time there was almost no smell at all.
Just a bit of an odor when you put your nose right over it.
The smell really reminded me of a thermocell odor.
I burned it the 2nd time in a room that is about 12'x12' with the door closed.

When I entered after a few hours of burning I could smell it...but jeez it sure wasn't bad.

Anyway...each time it burned for almost exactly 6.5 hours of good/ too hot to touch the metal very long heat with the methanol.

It burns almost double that time with lighter fluid.

I'm not sure if the Zippo brand will work with methanol...but I sure don't know why not.

I'm going out with my Jon-E filled with methanol this weekend to give it a shot. Going to bring a little bottle of methanol with me for a refill as well if needed.
I figure the deer are gonna smell me if I'm up wind anyway....who knows..maybe they won't mind this very faint odor...maybe even like it...lol

Anyway...just thought I'd share.
Good luck in the woods Gang.

John

Terry Green · November 14, 2017, 02:52:00 PM

I don't know if they still make them haven't seen them for years and years and years but when I was in Scouts I bought a hand warmer it was basically alone flat piece of coal of some kind that was in a silky case that closed and that thing got hot I don't recall a smell at all I don't know if they still make them or what but they worked

Zradix · November 14, 2017, 02:58:00 PM

Yeah..I had one of those when I was a kid too Terry.
They did work pretty darn good.
..I can't remember any smell.
I know I wasn't worried about it though...I didn't hunt then and only used it during ice fishing.

I think I may have thrown it away after not being able to find the fuel sticks for years.

...of course you might be able to find them now that the internet is here...lol

Almost afraid to look now...might kick myself in the head for throwing out the case...lol

Zradix · November 14, 2017, 03:02:00 PM

...yep...still can get em

Very 1st spot I checked..$15 for the case.
and $10 for 12 sticks.
...may very well be able to find them cheaper.

Might have to add one to my Christmas list...lol

wood carver 2 · November 14, 2017, 04:32:00 PM

Has anyone tried the electric rechargeable handwarmers? I've been thinking of getting one or two.
Dave.

Zradix · November 14, 2017, 04:39:00 PM

not I

H1tman7 · November 14, 2017, 06:03:00 PM

Thermacell and just leave the repellent pads off, works great if you have a hand muff.

ksbowman · November 14, 2017, 06:35:00 PM

Great idea H1tman7. I have all ways noticed how much heat they put off.

David McLendon · November 14, 2017, 07:04:00 PM

I've got a couple of Jon-E Hand warmers and the red flannel pouches that they go into. They belonged to my Grandfather. I may go dig those out after reading this.

Roy from Pa · November 14, 2017, 09:06:00 PM

I just checked and I have two of those old red felt hand warmers. Mine gotta be 40 years old. Just ordered a pack of 12 refills for it..

John ya have a PM.

Dorado · November 14, 2017, 11:15:00 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by Zradix:
...yep...still can get em

Very 1st spot I checked..$15 for the case.
and $10 for 12 sticks.
...may very well be able to find them cheaper.

Might have to add one to my Christmas list...lol

I checked, Amazon has them fairly inexpensively.

knobby · November 15, 2017, 04:17:00 PM

I used to use the metal cased heaters, too.The fuel sticks burned well and they were really all I knew for hand warmers.
I recall one instance when I was walking toward the woodlot for an afternoon hunt when, strangely, I could smell something burning. I looked down to see a hole being burned through a pocket of my jacket! The case had opened and the fuel stick had smoldered it's way through the cloth. Stop, drop and roll!

November 15, 2017, 04:22:00 PM

Around here a number people heat their homes with corn burners, me too. To start them there is this semi gel fire starter stuff, kind of like Sterno. One hunter, shotgun deer hunter that actually gets out of his pickup to hunt, uses the old hand warmers with the corn burner fire starter. He has not burnt up yet, so maybe the stuff works.

Zradix · November 15, 2017, 04:27:00 PM

interesting

DDawg · November 15, 2017, 04:43:00 PM

I remember those old metal case heaters too, I used to light one and put it in my sleeping bag when I would sleep out on the back of my M1 Abrams tank on freezing nights out in the Mojave desert. I worked great, considering I had a summer issue sleeping bag with a broken zipper... Good Times....

Pointer · November 15, 2017, 10:01:00 PM

My dad used to have something similar to what Terry described...it took a solid fuel stick tat burned inside a case of some sort that was covered in flannel. Those things were awesome

STICKBENDER98 · November 16, 2017, 07:29:00 PM

I've got both styles, I have used the solid stick for ice fishing also, and can't remember any smell. The other ones that use the fluid on the other hand, i've heard of people have to put out smoldering pockets!!! I have never used them but my dad has told me the stories of using them.

Terry Green · November 17, 2017, 11:54:00 AM

Ah yes!!!...the 'old red felt'!!!!

Good stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sam McMichael · November 17, 2017, 12:05:00 PM

I had both the "red felt" JON-E warmer as well as the fuel stick type also described. I was always afraid of fire issues so seldom used them. I think some of them are still lying around here somewhere.

Terry Green · November 17, 2017, 03:22:00 PM

HA!...there were times I wanted a fire instead of a warmer!!!!!