Hot Tub Forum

Original => Hot Tub Forum => Topic started by: pg_rider on September 12, 2006, 03:12:09 pm

Title: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: pg_rider on September 12, 2006, 03:12:09 pm
Was wondering if anyone used an electric towel warmer like the one pictured outside next to your spa?  I'd love to use one, but would of course be concerned with the safety of it.  Thoughts?

(http://i2.ebayimg.com/01/i/08/4d/73/76_1_b.JPG)
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: ORANGEPEEL on September 12, 2006, 03:39:23 pm
Never saw one before. What is the cost, and availablity?
Seems like would be nice when the temps are colddd!!!
Would think it would be safe if it is UL rated.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: drewstar on September 12, 2006, 03:40:58 pm
I doubt something like that is even rated for outdoor use.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: jfish63 on September 12, 2006, 04:03:42 pm
I used one for 2 years. I bought it at bed bath and beyond. It did work fairly well for 2 or 3 towels after that it was a little crowded. The biggest issue I had with it was forgetintg to turn it off. Now that I don't use it anymore I do miss it in cold weather.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: nicker on September 12, 2006, 04:12:35 pm
I don't think you can use them outdoors, as mentioned probably not rated.  We have one and I use it indoors and it does a nice job.  I don't think even if you could use it out doors it would do too well in the winter (cold climates anyway).
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Bonibelle on September 12, 2006, 04:19:27 pm
Several folks on here fabricated home made towel warmers.
I did something really simple, I made square fabric bags and filled them with herbs, spice, rice and flax. I heat the bags in the microwave (the rice and flax are great for retaining heat). Then I throw towels and the heated bags into a cooler. The towels are warm when we get out of the tub with the added benefit of a great smell from the herbs!. This is an inexpensive and very safe towel warmer...it works well and the only downside is that you will need to keep the cooler in the house when it is cold or you will use up the available heat just warming the container!  ;)
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: jfish63 on September 12, 2006, 04:20:13 pm
I used mine outdoors in a cold climate and it did work. Before I hear from the electric police it was under a covered porch and plugged into a GFCI outlet.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: pg_rider on September 12, 2006, 04:34:02 pm
Interesting...  We have a GFCI plug on our uncovered patio so I was thinking I would just plug it in when we go out to get in the pool and unplug it when we go back in the house.  I'd think it would be a similar concept to using it in a bathroom in terms of wet hands, etc.  Only difference would be -- is it safe to use while it's raining/snowing!
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: BIGPOPPA on September 12, 2006, 04:36:56 pm
i just get my female friends to put them undertheir buttcheeks and my towels are warmed just fine......... ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: ORANGEPEEL on September 12, 2006, 04:49:58 pm
Bonibelle:
Thanks, good idea, will try it.
BigPoppa:
Also good idea
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on September 12, 2006, 05:24:34 pm
I would think that if your female friend sat on that towel warmer........... oh, forget it.


Quote
i just get my female friends to put them undertheir buttcheeks and my towels are warmed just fine......... ;D
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on September 12, 2006, 05:31:20 pm
When I need a towel warmer here in Northern Minnesota that thing sitting outside is just not going to cut it.. I will build you one of these and shipp it anywhere in the US for 400 bucks. You choice of wood, light bulbs not included. (different wattages for different outside ambients.)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-680S.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-681S.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-682S.jpg)
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: windsurfdog on September 12, 2006, 06:16:16 pm
Quote
...I made square fabric bags and filled them with herbs...
Hhhmmm, herbs in a bag....now that's some happy soaking! :D
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Spatech_tuo on September 12, 2006, 07:03:19 pm
Quote
Quote
...I made square fabric bags and filled them with herbs...
Hhhmmm, herbs in a bag....now that's some happy soaking! :D

and I think they grew them inside that aluminum lined box that Roger built!!
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on September 12, 2006, 08:41:17 pm
Quote
Quote
Quote
...I made square fabric bags and filled them with herbs...
Hhhmmm, herbs in a bag....now that's some happy soaking! :D

and I think they grew them inside that aluminum lined box that Roger built!!


Shhhhhhhhhhhh.....dude relax!!
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Reese on September 12, 2006, 08:52:12 pm
Quote
Hhhmmm, herbs in a bag....now that's some happy soaking! :D
We were invited to dinner at a new friend's house last week, along with 2 other new couples.  After a fun meal with lots of wine and laughter, and everyone bonding well, sharing stories of youthful transgressions... the hostess said to her husband:  "Jeff, get the pot!  I really think we should get the pot out."  I thought, "I'm really going to like these guys!" Then the coffee arrived! :(
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Dr. Spa™ Ret. on September 12, 2006, 09:19:29 pm
And your still thanking yourself for NOT being the perfect houseguest and saying, "don't trouble yourself, we can share mine".

 :D ;D :D ;D :D :D :D :o :D ;D :D ;D :D :D :D
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Reese on September 12, 2006, 09:43:09 pm
 ;D ;D Now that would have been bad! Luckily, I'm not that quick to share. ;D ;D
I did share my disappointment with the group (I'm not a coffee drinker ;)), and we all had a good laugh.  They seemed eager to please.  Perhaps they'll factor my dietary requirements into our next meal there. 8-)
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: rin-spa-aic on November 25, 2013, 08:46:10 am
When I need a towel warmer here in Northern Minnesota that thing sitting outside is just not going to cut it.. I will build you one of these and shipp it anywhere in the US for 400 bucks. You choice of wood, light bulbs not included. (different wattages for different outside ambients.)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-680S.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-681S.jpg)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/Tman122/MVC-682S.jpg)

I was looking into towel warmers and came across this old post Tman122.
Bump for a great idea.

In the short run I think I'll try the Brookstone, but I'll be putting a variation of this on the rainy day project list for some time in the future!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045DO720/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0045DO720&linkCode=as2&tag=r1rinaicfavor-20
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on November 25, 2013, 07:01:38 pm
Yea my second one turned out a lot better. I used cedar real easy to work with instead of that tongue and groove ash. But I had more time and more experience. I now have one 500W quartz bulb with better metal shielding and can maintain 90 degrees even in 10-20 below temps. And I put a timer on it so it doesn't start the world on fire.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: dakota7557 on November 25, 2013, 09:01:29 pm
The US Government spent millions of dollars inventing a pen that would write upside down...The Russians used a pencil...I use a towel, make a mad dash for the tub when it freezing out but before I do I put another towel in the dryer so it's nice and toasty when I finish...lol
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on November 26, 2013, 05:42:53 am
The US Government spent millions of dollars inventing a pen that would write upside down...The Russians used a pencil...I use a towel, make a mad dash for the tub when it freezing out but before I do I put another towel in the dryer so it's nice and toasty when I finish...lol

I spent nothing. But I understand most people aren't capable enough to make their own.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Spoiledrotten on December 01, 2013, 08:34:35 am
Rin-spa-aic, that's the one we have sitting by our spa.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: rin-spa-aic on December 02, 2013, 10:04:46 am
Rin-spa-aic, that's the one we have sitting by our spa.

Thanks.  Was wondering how it holds up in the elements and if it could really heat a towel in it's 10 minute cycle when its sub 30 degrees out.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Spoiledrotten on December 02, 2013, 10:24:30 am
Rin-spa-aic, that's the one we have sitting by our spa.

Thanks.  Was wondering how it holds up in the elements and if it could really heat a towel in it's 10 minute cycle when its sub 30 degrees out.

I wouldn't be able to answer that one. Ours works well with our very moderate temps of 35 - 45* winters. I surely wouldn't indorse the item for those temps since it would only be an opinion and not a real experience.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on December 02, 2013, 07:00:54 pm
Don't leave it out in the weather and it may hold up better. Or put it inside something. Maybe one of those poly deck boxes.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: H823Putt on December 05, 2013, 06:51:48 am
I just throw a couple towels in the dryer for a couple minutes then put them in a cooler. They are still warm when I get out of the tub 20-30 minutes later.
Title: Re: Anyone use a towel warmer outdoors?
Post by: Tman122 on December 05, 2013, 07:30:13 pm
Yea if you roll them up tight and put them in a little 12 pac cooler it seems to hold heat for even longer.