Seeing Sue's bear in Projects that holds a rice packet, reminds me of something. My sister bought me this little animal at Bed Bath and Beyond. It had a little packet of some kind of seed. You were to heat the packet in the microwave, insert in the little animal and keep in your pocket, to keep your hands warm. Only thing was, it smelled so strong and bad ! My BIL came over one day and I had heated it earlier. He finally asked after a while, what was that bad odor!- Does the rice work like this, meant to keep you warm?- My sister had good intentions for my hands, just couldn't stand the odor. Always Cold Toogie

I think you are looking for buckwheat at the health food store. I have some here somewhere. You can also scavenge a microwave heat bag and use it for your own. The pellets have an odor to them also, some will find it distasteful. The only sure thing to not smell that I can think of is crushed quartz. I saw a pillow made from it at the Gem show a few years back.

I have made my own microwave heating pads with rice. I do think after a while the rice does brown too much and takes on an odor. It does hold the heat though and any rice seems to work. I just used cheap white rice. I personally do not like lavender. You could even just spritz it with your favorite perfume.

2 comments

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

Do you use a special fabric or any type fabric/scrap will do? This looks like muslin.

by Janus48 05 Oct 2014

I have used calicos...and one time a fleece one and two out of flannel. You can make a plain muslin one...and then make pretty pillowcases to fit. Just be careful you don't "overcook" them in the microwave.

Pee ewe!!! Not sure why it had an odor because I am not familiar with this type of thing..but you can keep it, I don't want it! I know you will figure it out, Hugs Suzanna

1 comment

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

May try to make a little bag of rice and try that .

You can use rice or wheat in a fabric bag, microwave it for a couple of minutes and it will keep warm for quite a long time. I have wheat pack round my neck now, it is very relaxing!

1 comment

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

As I am unfamiliar with buying wheat , what kind of store do you get it at? Maybe a health food store? I can buy rice, readily enough.

It might be flax seed and maybe it was heated too long and burnt.

1 comment

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

It said to heat for so many seconds with a cup of water beside it. I don't know, but nobody could stand the smell, not even sis.

Cute! I love the concept, maybe not the odor. lol!

1 comment

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

I was hoping it would work, for the warmth factor.

I'm wondering what was in it to make it smell so Bad Toogie, Try opening a seam dumping what's in there and putting lavender seeds or rice in it. Or just make a new bag and fill it./Lillian

1 comment

by toogie 04 Oct 2014

I had to get my glasses,but it says 50% wheat filling and 50% lavender. Maybe as it gets older, it will loose some of the powerful odor/scent. Do you know if the rice works to keep you warm? I couldn't think of any other reason for it.