FAQ

It happens all the time, HotSnapZ have a WOW effect when you first use them that will cause you
to share their warmth, comfort and happiness with all your family, friends and coworkers. It's okay, it happens to all of us.

Who doesn't want a bit more warmth, comfort and happiness in their lives? Besides that, their reusability and instant heat are features you won't find in using traditional disposable hand warmers.

The chemistry inside HotSnapZ is a safe and self-regulating reaction.
The maximum internal temperature reaches 128-130F and typically
115-120F at the surface during normal use.

The temperatures that HotSnapZ operate at are considered to be non-burning when used as directed.

• HotSnapZ reusable hand warmers and heating pads contain water, a small metal disc and sodium acetate, a safe food grade salt ingredient.

• When first boiled the mixture inside the pouch is heated to completely dissolve the sodium acetate in the water. This makes the contents clear and liquid.

• After cooling, the sodium acetate remains dissolved producing a solution that is supersaturated.

• This means that the heat energy that was required to dissolve the sodium acetate into the water still remains in the system even though the temperature has dropped. Almost like a Heat Battery!

• The clicking of a disk within the pad triggers the precipitation of the sodium acetate crystals. When the crystals precipitate, it releases the energy that was required to initially dissolve it and stored in the pouch.

• The release of energy raises the temperature to a maximum temperature of 130F (54C). The process is theoretically repeatable indefinitely. HotSnapZ are sodium acetate hand warmer.

•Really simple... HotSnapZ® operate like a rechargeable heat battery.

Once the heat has been exhausted, simply drop your HotSnapZ™ hand warmer or heat pad in gently boiling water for 5-10 minutes depending on the size of the product.

• The heat from the boiling water reverses the chemical reaction inside your HotSnapZ. The crystals will return the liquid form, storing heat inside the product for later use.

• Once cooled to room temperature, HotSnapZ® are ready to used again.

The stored heat energy inside your HotSnapZ does not decrease over time.  Activate your HotSnapZ today or 2+ years from now and the energy will be released

• In theory, the number of times that a HotSnapZ can reused is infinite. However, the consequences of real life usually take their toll on HotSnapZ at some point via wear-n-tear, being torn, stepped on, forgotten in the boiling pan or having one of your friends walk off with them.

So, we expect and tell the average user to expect 200-300+ uses if properly used and stored.

• Please note: For long-term storage, it is important to reactivate and store HotSnapZ products in the liquid ready-to-go state.

• Heat duration depends on the product's size, how the product is used, & how well the product is insulated during use. 

• We rate our heat times on the average expected use by our customers, so no inflated numbers here at HotSnapZ.  Our larger Rectangles products are rated at 2+ hours of heat. Our green Pocket Warmers at 50-60 minutes each and 30-40 minutes for our 4" Round Hand Warmers and Heart Hand Warmers.

• Since HotSnapZ are Reusable, extended heat times are achieved by having some extra ones in reserve!  Remember....HotSnapZ are REUSABLE! This is why our Buy One Get One Free sets are so popular.

• First, it is very important to think of HotSnapZ as a reusable heat battery. After activating your HotSnapZ, heat performance is dependent on how this energy is managed during use.

• Second, keep cold air away from the hand warmer and heat pad. For hunters, fishermen, hikers and campers, we recommend that you keep your HotSnapZ stored on an inside pocket of your jacket or coat until they are ready to be used.

You will find this significantly improves the performance and use of your HotSnapZ for outdoor activity. See...if the HotSnapZ starts at a cold temperature, a good amount of the released heat energy is reabsorbed back into the product to first warms itself up before giving off heat to you. Just as much you like the warmth, HotSnapZ do too!

• Third, keep the pack insulated if possible. Use an insulated pouch, muff, covers, etc. This will make a big difference by preventing heat energy being lost to the cold air.

• 'Hot-Snaps'. We get a lot of people that will say "HotSnap-Zee" which is fine with us. We only capitalized the Z years ago so we wouldn't confuse it for HotSnaps with an "S".

Yes. Your HotSnapZ products come with a 30 Day Full warranty and covered, thereafter, with our HotSnapZ lifetime warranty.

For more detailed information on our warranty please visit our Warranty page.

Yes, by VERY carefully following our microwave instructions and video here, your HotSnapZ can be reactivated in the Microwave.

• Yes. The contents of each HotSnapZ are Safe, Non-Toxic and Non-Hazardous. (Water and Sodium Acetate)

The sodium acetate salt used in HotSnapZ is used for many industrial uses, including:  Food flavoring for salt and vinegar potato chips, IV bag solutions for hospital patients, deicing of bridges, a safe food preservative and more.

Coloring of HotSnapZ products incorporates safe food grade water colors.

HotSnapZ pouch material is a Phthalate and heavy metal free flexible PVC film.

You bet they are! Because HotSnapZ are REUSABLE, you will be sending fewer of those metal filled disposable hand warmers to the land-fill.

• To ensure longevity of your HotSnapz hand warmers and heating pads it is recommended to reactivate them as soon as feasible and to store them in the liquid clear state for long term storage.

• No problems and here is what has happened.  Should your HotSnapZ harden after recharging
them, it only indicates that the boiling time was not sufficient and
needs to be extended.  FYI.... the crystals will only start to form once the product cools down to 140-150F if they were not reactivated long enough. 

• To fix.....simply reboil until all signs of crystals are gone and
leave the products in the heated water for one to two minutes longer. Longer boiling times will not affect the product or their performance.

• Yes, they can! We have many customers who use
HotSnapZ for scuba diving and snorkeling. Unlike the disposable kind
that are typically sold in sporting goods stores HotSnapZ™ will continue
to work, even in the water!

Please note that final decisions of traveling with any product are those of TSA and the information provided here is only currently available information regarding air travel with HotSnapZ reusable hand warmers.

Please consult these TSA Links:

-TSA Travel Tips Tuesday: Hand Warmers
-TSA Liquids Rule

According to current guideline, our 4" Round HotSnapZ hand warmers meet the rules for liquid carry-on (3.4 oz), while all other HotSnapZ items exceed this amount and would need to be in checked baggage for
travel. 

As an added safety measure, we would always recommend storage of your HotSnapZ products in a sealed bag or container during air travel.