Alpkit
  • Whitby & Co: Hand Warmer

    Review of the Whitby & Co Hand WarmerReview
    Whitby & Co Hand Warmer
    By John Fenna

    Hand warmers that run on lighter fuel are not a new idea, but the Whitby & Co Hand Warmer is new to their range and works very well.


    Basically you have a chromed steel fuel container, a flameless catalytic burner and a vented cover. The container is filled with lighter fluid such as “Zippo” or “Swan”, using a supplied filling cup, the burner is lit and the vented cover fitted. The Hand Warmer is then slipped into the protective fleece bag and you are good for 6 hours (single filling), or 12 hours (double filling) of toasty warmth. The flameless burner will give around 90 uses of 12-hour burns and replacements are available separately.

    This very attractive, simple, efficient and user-friendly hand warmer measures approx 10.5cm x 7cm x 1.5cm, weighs about 85 gms, comes with a 2-year warranty and a detailed instruction manual.

    I have been giving the review sample a real battering; it still looks as good as new, and functions flawlessly – although there is a constant odour of fuel, just as you get when using a Zippo type lighter!

    I really like this hand warmer and, as it costs only around £15, I am sure it will be very popular.

    For more information visit www.whitbyandco.co.uk
    Tel 01539 721032
    Comments 10 Comments
    1. Black Sheep's Avatar
      Black Sheep -
      I've got 3 old "Empire made" hand warmers that work on the same principal.

      They work really well infact they can get too hot (I burnt my leg with one in my pocket) and they smell of lighter fuel. I wouldn't recommend using one in a sleeping bag dure to the heat and smell.

      Richard
    1. tintock's Avatar
      tintock -
      My wife uses a couple of Peacock handwarmers of similar design to the review product for our night-time/winter sea angling sessions. They've been on the go for a good 6 years and work as well today as they did when new.

      I note that the Peacocks currently sell for £25.95 + £2.95 p&p, so if the Whitby model is of similar size and heat output, then it is definitely a good buy.

      THe only note of caution I would add is that the burner units will eventually burn out and require replacement - the time-frame is dependent on frequency of use, of course. I see that Whitby sell replacement burners, but I couldn't find a price on their website. The standard Peacock replacement burners currently sell for £9.50 + £1.50 p&p which, if replaced regularly, represent a significant additional cost to ownership.

      Still, my wife swears by them so they are a "must-have"! And she can go one better than burning her leg, as mentioned by Richard above. In the interests of decency, I won't mention the affected body part, but the injury could only be ameliorated by compression with 2 frozen mackerel brought along for bait!!!

      Keith
    1. charleslockerbie's Avatar
      charleslockerbie -
      I use the zippo one when it gets a bit chilly, and iv found it to be one of the cheepest name brand ones. @£12.09 and only £5 inc postage for the burner replacement. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Zippo-Handwa...6400432&sr=8-1
    1. willowherb's Avatar
      willowherb -
      very good piece of kit.
    1. 3bears's Avatar
      3bears -
      I have one of these, but have a real hard time getting it lit, any tips chaps?
    1. charleslockerbie's Avatar
      charleslockerbie -
      I have trouble too, but perseverance normally does it, if there is an easier way id like to know to.
    1. tintock's Avatar
      tintock -
      Quote Originally Posted by 3bears View Post
      I have one of these, but have a real hard time getting it lit, any tips chaps?
      I can't speak for the Whitby handwarmers, but they do resemble the Peacocks closely and they are very reliable. I actually phoned the the guy that sells them when I had a similar problem. He told me simply to hold the handwarmer upside down while lighting it. Works a treat! Also, you may need a new burner as they become less effective after a while.
    1. 3bears's Avatar
      3bears -
      I've got it down now, it seems that after a few burns it's a lot easier to light for some reason- the element takes to glowing almost instantly now.... strange huh?
    1. ex member pyrophil's Avatar
      ex member pyrophil -
      I got a zippo one yesterday for £10.79 plus £1.49 from here http://www.firebox.com/product/2618/...armer?aff=1108 40% off normal price so hurry if you want one guys. replacement burners can be picked up at lots of places for 4.50
    1. doctorrez's Avatar
      doctorrez -
      Just to let you know these are made in the same factory as the peacocks and zippo...peacocks have the best build quality but otherwise the same.
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