Product: ZIPPO 12 HOUR HAND WARMER
Price: Average $37.43 CDN (as of November, 2021)
Places to buy: Amazon.ca (Canada) / Amazon.com (USA)
Warranty: 2 year manufacturer’s limited warranty, (due to defects in materials and workmanship)
Recommendation: An essential item for your outdoor activities if you suffer from cold hands and fingers
Zippo 12 Hour Hand Warmer, Product Overview
If you have come to this page you already know that Karolina and I hunt and enjoy nature in general. Most likely you have also come across our post on How to Keep Warm While Hunting. In that post I mention that I suffer from Raynaud’s Phenomenon a condition that causes your body to restrict blood flow to your extremities which then results in extreme discomfort and/or pain.
Well, Canadian spring and fall hunting seasons do not have ideal weather conditions for someone with my condition. Looking for solutions I came across a somewhat old school solution with a modern day design and packaging.
The Zippo 12 Hour Hand Warmer is a flameless refillable hand warmer that will provide warmth for your hands and fingers for up to 12 hours. The hand warmer uses lighter fluid as its fuel source (readily available in most hardware stores, and online). Zippo provides a small measuring cup with a built in nozzle to accurately fill the hand warmer with the correct amount of lighter fluid without the risk of over filling. A small velvet pouch is also included which you place the hand warmer in after you have ignited the burner, so that you can comfortably hold the hand warmer without the metal feeling too hot.
The burner will need to be replaced periodically depending on the amount of use you subject your Zippo to. They can be purchased through various providers, here are some Amazon links -( amazon.ca CDN / amazon.com USA).
The features are pretty basic which is one of the great things about this device. It is reusable, flameless, comes with a “warming bag”, and filling cup. It uses lighter fluid, and will need to be filled prior to each use. The burner is also a consumable component so will need to be replaced periodically (depending on use you may get anywhere from 1-3 years before you notice a significant difference in the abilities of your Zippo Hand Warmer.
Something that you need to understand is that once you activate the hand warmer, you can not turn it off. You will need to allow it to continue to warm until it has used all the fuel that was put in the unit. Also the unit is intended to be held upright when in use.
Practical Use Experience
I have used this on many fall hunts. My practical experience has convinced me that I need to always ensure I have it on hand (pun intended). I find that the claim of 12 hours seems to be pretty accurate (usually lasting anywhere from about 10 – 12 hours). I also do not use the “warming bag”, as I find the heat generated is good, but not severe enough to cause discomfort.
There are a few things that may cause people to have a dislike for this hand warmer option. The heat is not 100% consistent, so at times it may feel cooler or hotter while in use. I believe this just depends on the lighter fluid and how well the burner is being fueled based on the position of the hand warmer. Ideally you need to keep the hand warmer in an upright condition, and also allow for some airflow to allow the burner to function properly. I have at times shoved this into a tight glove and with the restricted airflow the unit has gone out and needed to be re-lit
That being said, if you have a hand muff or large pockets the heat should remain consistent for the full duration of the burn.
Pros and Cons of the Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater
Pros:
- No moving parts
- Flameless
- Run time ( 10 – 12 hours per fill approx. 0.4 oz)
- Warranty ( 2 year limited manufacturer warranty)
- Durable metal construction
Cons:
- Requires a secondary device to ignite (opportunity to buy a Zippo Lighter – lol, I use a small disposable lighter)
- Must be kept upright
- Requires adequate airflow
- Need to carry lighter fluid, if you will need to refill it more than once
Is It Worth It?
My opinion is that if you want something beyond gloves or mitts to add a warmth factor to your fingers this is a great option. There are battery powered hand warmers on the market as well, but I prefer not having to ensure I have enough battery packs for recharging, or a power source. Also many the battery powered hand warmers will not provide the same amount of warming time.
12 hours of heat, lasts for a whole day of hunting, especially if I don’t need to turn it on right away. Also carrying a small can of lighter fluid can come in handy if starting a fire isn’t going so well. The other element I like is that batteries have a tendency to not work to their full potential when they are in extreme cold conditions. With this Zippo 12 Hour Hand Warmer the only issues I have is ensuring I light it before my fingers have lost too much feeling to move properly.
Keep Smart – Stay Warm
If you like the modern day conveniences that can be subtly added to your outdoor adventures, this is a recommended item. Keep Smart, take precautions, stay warm, and feel free to drop comments about your experiences once you take our recommendation and buy your own Zippo 12 Hour Hand Warmer
Scott