Neesie

Having used cracked corn in bird feeders, I can tell you it is VERY dusty! It also gets moldy rather easily, if it gets damp.

Jennie and Me

I made one with rice and hated the smell when it was heated. We only heated it for 45 seconds. Is there something that isn't quite so stinky?

Jan in VA

Corn in these bags smells like popcorn to me when heated....and I don't like it.

I use rice (cheapest you can find) or flax seed or both together with a small amount (1/3 - 1/2 cup) of scented lavendar flowers added to help with odor AND relaxation. Flax seeds make the bags more shapeable to the body part needing comfort.

The bags I make of cotton can be heated or cooled. These are sewn closed. Then I cover that with another bag of flannel because it feels soft and can be removed to wash.

Jan in VA

earthwalker

We tend to use wheat here in Australia....just good old plain wheat you feed 'chooks' (slang for chickens). I add lavender and dried herbs depending on what scents people like.

gjc2001

Thank you everyone for your responses. I have a lot to make to donate to the local food pantry to be used as a little extra gift with Christmas baskets. I also make them as gifts for the children along with pillowcases. I use flannel for the heat/cool pads. Thanks again.

maviskw

I used beans in mine. Regular dried navy beans. They didn't smell very nice for about a year. Now there is no more smell.
If you use something rough, like corn, I would use a double layer of fabric, or one layer of regular fabric and one layer of fleece or something like that.
Mine is two layers of drapery fabric, but I'm thinking that a fleece cover would make the heat felt less at first. That thing gets really hot on my neck! Or make a "pillow case" cover that can be washed occasionally.

Vintagesewist

I've made dozens of rice bags. As for the smell, it only lasts for a couple of "heatings". The rice also provides "moist" heat since it has the tendency to absorb moisture as it sits for awhile. My hubby and I have used some of them for years before the cotton cover wore thru. I make them over-sized. Each bag has 4-5 sections and is 24" long. I pattern them after one I received as a gift years ago. That person got it at her chiropractor's office!

carolynjo

I use rice in mine; they seem softer.

squires1042

I was always told to use cracked corn in mine as it will not pop like regular corn

sailsablazin

I make these corn warmers for many friends and teachers. I use whole kernel corn because it is cleaner and will hold the heat longer. My daughter's roommates at college steal hers all of the time.
I make the interior bag out of muslin or duck (I have a ton of duck) and sew it shut. Then the outside bag is made with soft flannel and can be removed to wash.