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Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sat May 11, 2013 7:50 pm
by Redgloves
A friend has talked about a sleeping bag warmer that was made of two cast iron pieces that contains charcoal, clamps together, and placed inside a cozy, then into sleeping bag.

I have never seen this device, but wonder if it really existed or a home crafted item?

Jean

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sat May 11, 2013 10:01 pm
by pmowers
I have never heard of one made of cast iron, but have seen plenty of bed or sheet warmers made from either copper or brass. Many were shaped somewhat like a skillet with a perforated cover and a long handle. You would fill it with coals then pass it back and forth between the sheets. Some would be filled with red-hot sand.
http://www.oldandinteresting.com/bed-warmers.aspx

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 5:13 am
by aggie79
Sounds like a recipe for death by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 8:24 am
by pmowers
aggie79 wrote:Sounds like a recipe for death by carbon monoxide poisoning.

You have a point there. In fact, some of the early warnings said the healthy people do not need them, and the weak should use sand heated red-hot, to avoid the fumes. Normally, bed warmers were used like an iron, being passed back and forth between the sheets to take the chill off, not left in the bed.

When I was on winter operations, I would keep some of the instant hand warmers in my ruck. When we bivouacked, I would roll out my bag and throw 2 of them inside. After crawling in later, I would take them out and drop them in my boots. Warm sleeping bag at night, warm dry boots in the morning. 8)

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 10:14 am
by Redgloves
Should have added in first post that I knew could be death by CO2. Sand inside a container is a great idea!

Would have loved using something like this last weekend while shivering for 30 minutes to warm up teardrop bed.

Will have to experiment with old pie tins and sand. An old cake pan with a cover.

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 11:51 am
by Woodbutcher
That's what Bella is for!

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 3:36 pm
by coop74
believe it or not, just boil some water and put it in a nalgene bottle and put it in the sleeping bag with you. I will put a lot of heat into the bag and will actually stay warm for a long time.

Avoid direct skin contact however.

Big Coop

Re: Cast Iron sleeping bag warmer

PostPosted: Sun May 12, 2013 5:16 pm
by Dean in Ct.
I have 2 ceramic bed warmers, we always referred to them as "pigs". Just fill em with hot water and don't knock them over. They are actually heavy enough that when full it isn't likely. They will hold heat for a looooong time Also don't let them freeze! One of mine met that fate.
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