Do you know what this is? For those of you in the colder parts of the world this may be an easy question but for a California girl like me, I was so surprised to see these nearly 30 years ago when I came to Japan and in the winter I always keep one in my pocket. This is a kairo, in the dictionary translated as "a portable body warmer". My kairo is stainless steel and it opens so that benzine can be poured inside and then lit with a lighter. After it is closed, it is slipped into a bag (so the user won't get burned) and I carry it around in my pocket or slip it under a belt. (That's not such a great idea because then it slips down my leg and into my long underwear). Depending on the amount of benzine I put in, it will stay warm all day and will provide a pinpoint of warmth.
And do you know what this is? I have heard that these are only found in Japan. These are also kairo but these are disposable kairo. I was watching a TV program the other day where foreign residents in Japan were asked what was their favorite gift was to take home to their countries and these nifty little things ranked within the top 5. I've never taken them back to Southern California because I only go back in the summer anyway and even S. Cal. winters don't get cold enough to need handwarmers. I'm afraid I can't tell you the scientific reaction that causes disposable kairo to heat up, but anyway, once taken out of their plastic wrap and lightly rubbed between the hands these little packs that look like paper start to get warm. Disposable kairo too will produce heat all day long and when they finally cool down are just thrown away. I have no idea whether they are environmentally sound but they are small, inexpensive and come in all different sizes. Some have sticky tape on them so that they can be slapped to your undershirt (solving the problem of kairo in the long underwear), some are shoe sole shape and they fit into shoes and keep your toes toasty warm. Some are very small (for children) and they can be slipped into a special little stuffed animal so that the child can play with them all day. These are extremely popular items during this season and I see kids playing with them on their way to school, and some of my women friends swear by them when they have a shoulder or backache. As I say, I'm not sure they are that great for the environment so I stick with my benzine kairo but with their popularity I think disposable kairo are here to stay!
Unfortunately for warm-blooded me, the cold season is deepening and I've started wearing a muffler and legwarmers to bed at night. (Pity my poor husband!) However I've got two cats on each side of me so I'll save my kairo for daytime use.
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Yes, we have them, but they aren't as cute, hi-tech, or available in variety. Ours have activated charcoal in them and when you rough them up they have some chemical reaction that produces heat. I've only seen them in little plastic packets like 3x4". I've actually seen them for sale on the counters of Walgreens here in Arizona, it's 60 during the day and COLD, haha.
Then we have the heat wraps, I suppose if you're desperate. They're supposed to be for injuries, they come in boxes of 6 or so, made to fit your back, shoulder, etc.
I made some small ones with cracked corn and cotton squares (resembling bean-bags) that I would reheat in the microwave. Only problem, I smelled like a corn muffin all day. No matter, I was working in a freezing cold open air apple orchard market! Lots of people make them with rice, some have bits of lavender.
This reusable kairo looks wonderful, I can't figure how it works tho. It stays lit in your pants? lol
My friend who's from Japan but lives in USA brought some back for our Thursday Quilters group, the ones that fit on the bottom of the feet and have adhesive. We all wore them last winter one day at bee and kept our feet all toasty warm all day. They were a big hit with all of us.
I have seen something similar in a hunting store...
Ahhh - kitty body heat, you can't beat it - but why can't I get someone to warm up my toes?
i have the heat wraps and I made a soba neckwrap for myself a couple of years ago. You just stick it in the microwave for a few seconds and it really helps with neck pain or just plain feeling cold. For some reason even when I'm warm elsewhere-my neck and shoulders get chilly.
We have those disposable ones here in the US. I buy them in either Wal-Mart or Home Deopt, and I use them when shoveling snow...I stick them in my gloves, but they get really warm.
I have seen the little metal case ones, but only one time...our Belgian exchange student had one. I seem to remember it having some ind of stone inside of it.
I haven't seen the metal ones, but the disposable ones are being sold everywhere this year. I think it is a little late - since I no longer have to wait outside for buses and no longer work outside. I'm sure they come in handy for people who do though!
I've used the disposable ones, but the re-useable metal ones seem much more practical. I wonder why they don't sell them here?
I can't wear anything on my legs at night so I just have to add an extra quilt to the bed. I think it's from all those years in the south sleeping in t-shirts.
I haven't tried any of the warmers but I remember seeing them when we went skiing a few years ago.
So it's not just us who are feeling the chill at the moment. As for the rice or wheat bags to heat in the microwave, to stop them smelling of the filler add a few drops of aromatherapy oil like lavender or geranium to make them smell sweet and make you feel better
I still have my hand warmer from when I was in marching band in high school! I couldn't have sat through those COLD football games without it.
They are good, we put them in the ski boots when we go skiing so the feet are warm.
BUON NATALE E FELICE 2008
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY 2008
ciao ciao
I have never heard of metal kairo- or even heard that name!
I have seen the sports warmers here, but we dont get many really cold days in Winter, so I suppose we dont need them.
I like the idea of having them for shoes to keep you toes warm!
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