whitby hamdwarmer....great, but how is it working

[ltcom]

I just bought one of these and it is great
http://www.whitbyandco.co.uk/whitby/fishing/hw10-hand-warmer
cheaper here:
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/whitby-warmer-handwarmer-p191924
But do you know how it works? Baffles me. They talk about catalytic stuff and platinum but I can't figure it out or find out. Nice and warm though.

 

[pvb]

Fumes from the fuel react with the platinum catalyst and create a flameless exothermic reaction.

 

[ltcom]

Fumes from the fuel react with the platinum catalyst and create a flameless exothermic reaction.

Thanks, but do you have more depth? A catalyst 'helps' a reaction doesn't it. And yet the internet says that the platinum wears out, so it does react as you say. (confused face here)
What reaction is going on that you mention that is exothermic? what does lighter fuel vapour do to platimum to create the heat? The replacement catalysts are £6 so wondering how good a purchase this is now.

 

[pvb]

Maybe you're overthinking this. If it works, enjoy it.

 

[forelle541]

Be careful, if you stick it in your trouser pocket you will end up with that flame pattern burnt into your leg, well I used to when fishing. Never felt it burning.

 

[ltcom]

Be careful, if you stick it in your trouser pocket you will end up with that flame pattern burnt into your leg, well I used to when fishing. Never felt it burning.

If kept in the felt bag I can have it next to my skin for hours.

 

[[70521]]

I'm a great fan of the ones with a charcoal stick in them. Last for hours and cheap as chips.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

I'm a great fan of the ones with a charcoal stick in them. Last for hours and cheap as chips.

I used to use those at school the classrooms were so cold.
Wonderful things.

 

[elton]

Thanks, but do you have more depth? A catalyst 'helps' a reaction doesn't it. And yet the internet says that the platinum wears out, so it does react as you say. (confused face here)
What reaction is going on that you mention that is exothermic? what does lighter fuel vapour do to platimum to create the heat? The replacement catalysts are £6 so wondering how good a purchase this is now.

The platinum "wears out" as it becomes contaminated. As I understand it, the platinum is chemically active in the reaction between the fuel and oxygen, but reverts to pure platinum at a final stage in the reaction. That's all I remember about catalysts from A level chemistry 42 years ago.

 

[ltcom]

I'm a great fan of the ones with a charcoal stick in them. Last for hours and cheap as chips.

I have 2 of those but it takes ages to get the stick of charcoal to light. How do you light yours?

 

[forelle541]

These ones use lighter fuel!!

 

[Plum]

I have 2 of those but it takes ages to get the stick of charcoal to light. How do you light yours?

Just hold the end of the stick of charcoal over the gas hob until 1 cm in length is glowing bright red/orange then put it in the container. Very quick.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk

 

[Hydrozoan]

As noted, the catalyst surface will become gradually ‘poisoned’ – e.g. by the irreversible adsorption of contaminants in the fuel, blocking its adsorption sites. My suggestion is to use quality, branded fuel in the hope that that will reduce the rate at which the catalyst is degraded. Having recently bought my wife one of the Whitby warmers, that is what I shall be doing – and I am pleased to hear from you that it works well.

 

[Skylark]

Zippo also make the lighter fuel type. I use them inside gloves in winter between flights when I’m playing with model aeroplanes.

They are very good. A fuel fill is good for at least 5 hours. Can’t recall their life expectancy but it’s measured in hundreds of cycles, iirc.

 

[[70521]]

I have 2 of those but it takes ages to get the stick of charcoal to light. How do you light yours?

Just hold the end of the stick of charcoal over the gas hob until 1 cm in length is glowing bright red/orange then put it in the container. Very quick.

As Plum says, or use the gas soldering iron, that doubles as a blowtorch

 

[jneale]

I had a large catalytic heater years ago which had to use unleaded petrol (which was very difficult to get then) - There was no visual sense it was working, and after hurriedly throwing a wet spinnaker in the cabin all was revealed later when it melted onto the floor