Frequently Asked Questions
After operating our family-owned Click It Hot Packs for many years, we decided to rebrand our product in name only, to better identify our product and bring clarity to the consumer. Our new name is INSTANT HEAT PACKS. Same owners, same family, same product quality and family-like customer service we've been delivering for years.
Q: How long do they stay hot? How about cold?
A: For heat, here's a secret to getting your packs to stay hot longer: once the gel begins to react to the click, gently massage the pack to mix up the gel to all one color before applying it to the body. Be sure to place it under clothing, a towel or under the covers so the heat can't escape easily.
Heat times:
Handwarmer: 30 to 40 minutes
Knee & Joint : 45 to 60 minutes
Back & Abdomen: 60 to 90 minutes
Neck & Shoulder: 60 to 90 minutes
Keep in mind if you need it to stay hot even longer, just wrap it up in a towel, under a blanket, under some clothes or anything else of the sort. You might get double or even sometimes triple the heating time this way.
For refrigerator temperature cold, you'll get 20-30 minutes regardless of the size. Although, as a note, they remain naturally cool at room temperature. Remember, don't place it in the freezer as it will merely activate and heat up your pack.
Q: How do the Instant Heat Packs work?
A: When squeezing (or clicking) the metal disc, a reaction is set off, causing the liquid inside to immediately crystallize and heat up to about 130 degrees.
Q: Do I need to click all the “buttons” on the larger sizes to activate them?
No. The buttons you see on the larger sizes are only there to allow for more flexibility of the pack. Activating the pack only requires clicking the single metal disc.
Q: Will the Instant Heat Packs reset themselves after I am done using them?
No. To reset the packs, place them in a non-stick pan full of boiling water (it doesn't matter if you put the packs in the pan before or after the water is boiling) and keep the water boiling for the designated amount of time needed for the crystals in the packs to return fully to their liquid state.
Recommended boiling times:
Neck/Shoulder : 20 minutes
Back/Abdomen: 15 minutes
Knee/Joint : 10 minutes
Hand Warmer : 5 minutes
Time may vary depending on how much use the product has had, how long it has been since it has last been reset, etc. The above recommendations are the typical lengths of time needed. If you don't see all crystals completely boiled out, or if a pack starts to recrystalizes on cooling, it needs to be left in the boiling water for a few more minutes.
Allow to cool to room temperature before reusing.
Q: Why is my pack rock solid?
When activating the heat packs, crystals form immediately. They remain soft for a while but as they cool down, they begin to harden. Eventually, the pack will become solid if left in the crystallized state. To return the pack back to its liquid state, simply boil for the recommended length of time.
Q: How do I make it a cold pack?
In its liquid state, place the pack inside your refrigerator for 1-2 hours. The pack can remain in the refrigerator for an unlimited length of time without causing any damage. Never place in freezer or leave in freezing temperatures.
Q: I like to interchange hot and cold therapy. Will clicking the coin make my pack become nice and hot immediately after taking it out of the fridge?
Yes. However, for the ideal heat temperatures, allow the pack to return to room temperature first before clicking.
Q: Can I place my Instant Heat Pack in the freezer to make it cold?
No. PLACING IN THE FREEZER CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PACK and voids all refund or exchange policies. Placing them in the refrigerator is the proper way to get a cold pack.
Q: I put my Instant Heat Pack in the freezer and now it’s rock solid. How do I “unfreeze” it?
The pack never actually froze in the first place, but activated due to the freezing temperature. To reset your pack, simply boil in a pot of water per recommended length of time for your pack (see question below). By resetting it to liquid at once might still salvage the pack for you. Leaving it in a hard state for a prolonged period of time could destroy the hot pack.
Q: How long should I boil my Instant Heat Pack for?
Recommended boiling times:
Neck/Shoulder : 20 minutes
Back/Abdomen: 15 minutes
Knee/Joint : 10 minutes
Hand Warmer : 5 minutes
Time may vary depending on how much use the product has had, how long it has been since it has last been reset, etc. The above recommendations are the typical lengths of time needed. If you don't see all crystals completely boiled out, just add a minute or two as needed.
Q: I boiled my Instant Heat Pack but it is crystallizing all over again by itself. Is my pack defective?
Not necessarily. More than likely, the pack wasn’t boiled long enough (see above for recommended times). Just boil it again and longer until the pack is completely clear, then remove from water and allow to cool. If it continues to re-crystallize on its own after boiling, the pack may be defective. See page entitled “exchange policy." Keep the water boiling while your hot pack is resetting. Do not just place it in "hot" water as boiling water is needed to convert the crystals back to liquid.
Q: I tried clicking the coin but it won’t work. It looked so easy when the representative showed it to me at the expo…
If the coin has never been clicked before, it may require several clicks. Afterwards, simple pressure on the coin will cause the pack to activate.
To activate a pack which has never been clicked before, you will want to snap the coin similar to how you would snap a hair clip (or hair barrette). A better explanation would be to get the coin into a corner of the pack and place both thumb tips in the center of the coin (curved side facing up) while placing your fingers on the underneath edges of the coin. Press your thumbs down while pulling the edges up. This will cause the coin to invert and "click."
Q: What if one of my kids or my dog break it open? Are the contents toxic?
The liquid in Instant Heat Packs is simply water, vinegar and baking soda.
The plastic glove of the pack is PVC plastic and is BPA-free. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics since the 1960s and there are many controversial reports that BPA may pose certain serious risks to health. For this reason, we ensured that our packs were manufactured with BPA-free plastic.
Instant Heat Packs are environmentally safe, non-toxic & FDA approved.
Q: Can the Instant Heat Packs puncture if poked with something sharp?
Yes. Try not to poke it with sharp things.
Q: What if there is something defective with my Instant Heat Packs but it is a
manufacturer defect?
We'll replace it for you within one year of purchase for a manufacturely-defective product. See page entitled “Exchange/Terms" located in the drop-down box under "Contact Us."
Q: Can I boil my Instant Heat Pack in the microwave?
No. There is a metal disc inside the pack and could cause damage if placed inside a microwave.
Q: What is inside my Instant Heat Pack?
Sodium acetate, which is a vinegar, baking soda and water solution; it is non-toxic. Furthermore, as there is no electricity involved, Instant Heat Packs safer to use than electric heating pads.
Q: Is the temperature of the Instant Heat Packs safe? Will it burn me?
The packs will heat up to approxinately 130 degrees. This is typically the same temperature that massage therapists use for “hot rock” massages. Once the pack's heat is activated, it will slowly become cooler but you must be the judge of what amount of heat you can tolerate and if you have particularly sensitive skin, be sure to place a towel or clothing between your skin and the hot pack.
Q: How many times can I use my Instant Heat Pack?
As long as you take good care of it, there is no known limit on how many times it can be used. You can expect at least a couple good years out of them, although experience has shown they can last much, much longer!
A: For heat, here's a secret to getting your packs to stay hot longer: once the gel begins to react to the click, gently massage the pack to mix up the gel to all one color before applying it to the body. Be sure to place it under clothing, a towel or under the covers so the heat can't escape easily.
Heat times:
Handwarmer: 30 to 40 minutes
Knee & Joint : 45 to 60 minutes
Back & Abdomen: 60 to 90 minutes
Neck & Shoulder: 60 to 90 minutes
Keep in mind if you need it to stay hot even longer, just wrap it up in a towel, under a blanket, under some clothes or anything else of the sort. You might get double or even sometimes triple the heating time this way.
For refrigerator temperature cold, you'll get 20-30 minutes regardless of the size. Although, as a note, they remain naturally cool at room temperature. Remember, don't place it in the freezer as it will merely activate and heat up your pack.
Q: How do the Instant Heat Packs work?
A: When squeezing (or clicking) the metal disc, a reaction is set off, causing the liquid inside to immediately crystallize and heat up to about 130 degrees.
Q: Do I need to click all the “buttons” on the larger sizes to activate them?
No. The buttons you see on the larger sizes are only there to allow for more flexibility of the pack. Activating the pack only requires clicking the single metal disc.
Q: Will the Instant Heat Packs reset themselves after I am done using them?
No. To reset the packs, place them in a non-stick pan full of boiling water (it doesn't matter if you put the packs in the pan before or after the water is boiling) and keep the water boiling for the designated amount of time needed for the crystals in the packs to return fully to their liquid state.
Recommended boiling times:
Neck/Shoulder : 20 minutes
Back/Abdomen: 15 minutes
Knee/Joint : 10 minutes
Hand Warmer : 5 minutes
Time may vary depending on how much use the product has had, how long it has been since it has last been reset, etc. The above recommendations are the typical lengths of time needed. If you don't see all crystals completely boiled out, or if a pack starts to recrystalizes on cooling, it needs to be left in the boiling water for a few more minutes.
Allow to cool to room temperature before reusing.
Q: Why is my pack rock solid?
When activating the heat packs, crystals form immediately. They remain soft for a while but as they cool down, they begin to harden. Eventually, the pack will become solid if left in the crystallized state. To return the pack back to its liquid state, simply boil for the recommended length of time.
Q: How do I make it a cold pack?
In its liquid state, place the pack inside your refrigerator for 1-2 hours. The pack can remain in the refrigerator for an unlimited length of time without causing any damage. Never place in freezer or leave in freezing temperatures.
Q: I like to interchange hot and cold therapy. Will clicking the coin make my pack become nice and hot immediately after taking it out of the fridge?
Yes. However, for the ideal heat temperatures, allow the pack to return to room temperature first before clicking.
Q: Can I place my Instant Heat Pack in the freezer to make it cold?
No. PLACING IN THE FREEZER CAN CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE PACK and voids all refund or exchange policies. Placing them in the refrigerator is the proper way to get a cold pack.
Q: I put my Instant Heat Pack in the freezer and now it’s rock solid. How do I “unfreeze” it?
The pack never actually froze in the first place, but activated due to the freezing temperature. To reset your pack, simply boil in a pot of water per recommended length of time for your pack (see question below). By resetting it to liquid at once might still salvage the pack for you. Leaving it in a hard state for a prolonged period of time could destroy the hot pack.
Q: How long should I boil my Instant Heat Pack for?
Recommended boiling times:
Neck/Shoulder : 20 minutes
Back/Abdomen: 15 minutes
Knee/Joint : 10 minutes
Hand Warmer : 5 minutes
Time may vary depending on how much use the product has had, how long it has been since it has last been reset, etc. The above recommendations are the typical lengths of time needed. If you don't see all crystals completely boiled out, just add a minute or two as needed.
Q: I boiled my Instant Heat Pack but it is crystallizing all over again by itself. Is my pack defective?
Not necessarily. More than likely, the pack wasn’t boiled long enough (see above for recommended times). Just boil it again and longer until the pack is completely clear, then remove from water and allow to cool. If it continues to re-crystallize on its own after boiling, the pack may be defective. See page entitled “exchange policy." Keep the water boiling while your hot pack is resetting. Do not just place it in "hot" water as boiling water is needed to convert the crystals back to liquid.
Q: I tried clicking the coin but it won’t work. It looked so easy when the representative showed it to me at the expo…
If the coin has never been clicked before, it may require several clicks. Afterwards, simple pressure on the coin will cause the pack to activate.
To activate a pack which has never been clicked before, you will want to snap the coin similar to how you would snap a hair clip (or hair barrette). A better explanation would be to get the coin into a corner of the pack and place both thumb tips in the center of the coin (curved side facing up) while placing your fingers on the underneath edges of the coin. Press your thumbs down while pulling the edges up. This will cause the coin to invert and "click."
Q: What if one of my kids or my dog break it open? Are the contents toxic?
The liquid in Instant Heat Packs is simply water, vinegar and baking soda.
The plastic glove of the pack is PVC plastic and is BPA-free. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics since the 1960s and there are many controversial reports that BPA may pose certain serious risks to health. For this reason, we ensured that our packs were manufactured with BPA-free plastic.
Instant Heat Packs are environmentally safe, non-toxic & FDA approved.
Q: Can the Instant Heat Packs puncture if poked with something sharp?
Yes. Try not to poke it with sharp things.
Q: What if there is something defective with my Instant Heat Packs but it is a
manufacturer defect?
We'll replace it for you within one year of purchase for a manufacturely-defective product. See page entitled “Exchange/Terms" located in the drop-down box under "Contact Us."
Q: Can I boil my Instant Heat Pack in the microwave?
No. There is a metal disc inside the pack and could cause damage if placed inside a microwave.
Q: What is inside my Instant Heat Pack?
Sodium acetate, which is a vinegar, baking soda and water solution; it is non-toxic. Furthermore, as there is no electricity involved, Instant Heat Packs safer to use than electric heating pads.
Q: Is the temperature of the Instant Heat Packs safe? Will it burn me?
The packs will heat up to approxinately 130 degrees. This is typically the same temperature that massage therapists use for “hot rock” massages. Once the pack's heat is activated, it will slowly become cooler but you must be the judge of what amount of heat you can tolerate and if you have particularly sensitive skin, be sure to place a towel or clothing between your skin and the hot pack.
Q: How many times can I use my Instant Heat Pack?
As long as you take good care of it, there is no known limit on how many times it can be used. You can expect at least a couple good years out of them, although experience has shown they can last much, much longer!