Electric blanket use... any tips?

[gmoney]

I got an electric blanket for Christmas, and tried it out last night, but it doesn't seem to get very warm... not sure if I was expecting a heating pad or what. I have one that plugs into the lighter jack in the car, and that seems to get substantially warmer.

Yes, it's plugged in, turned up to 11 and all that. I used it on its own last night, with just the top sheet under it. It was OK, but not really any warmer than the blanket and down comforter I'd been using.

Should I put another blanket on top of the electric one to trap the heat better? I was thinking that the top setting should get to almost too warm, which would be why there are lower settings, but the top setting is so tame, I can't imagine anyone using the lower settings at all. Maybe safety concerns and such have led to today's electric blankets being so safe as to be worthless?

Any tips? Any chance this is a lemon?

[HopeHoops]

1. KEEP THE FUCKING CAT AWAY FROM IT.

[kimmerspixelated]

5. Or the non copulating one away from it as well!

Rim Shot!

[HopeHoops]

6. I was thinking more "claws + electricity = fucked-up situation".

[kimmerspixelated]

7. No doubt, HH!!!

Happy New Year, to ya, buddy!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. I haven't used one in years, but I remember this much:

You're supposed to warm up the bed before you get into it. I think that another light blanket on top would help too.

:shrug:

[kimmerspixelated]

4. CalPeg is right.

Pre-heating is KEY!

[gmoney]

8. Thanks for the tips everyone...

Yeah, I see in the instructions they have fancier ones that have a pre-heat timer so you can set it to start warming up at a specific time. Mine is just basic, although it does turn itself off after 10 hours.

So, I'll try adding another blanket on top and switching it on a while before I crawl into bed.

No cats to worry about, just me tripping over the cord...

[kimmerspixelated]

3. That's odd for a new blanket.

We were low on heating oil and finally found, after a lengthy search, our old cord and such for the elec.blanket. It hadn't been used in years. Sans cords we gave it a toss in the dryer first to kill any dust mites, anyway... it works just fine. I was thinking there was a good chance it wouldn't work well at all. I've always been against them...esp. in light of hot flashes or night sweats, etc. however, we have it on for a few hours and then sometime after 1 or 2 when I scamper into pee, I'll turn it off. Now, we're addicted to it.

[gmoney]

9. I'm guessing they don't make 'em like they used to.

Something tells me that back in the day, they got a lot hotter than they do now... yours might be "old school."

Try not to scamper directly into the pee though. ;)

[kimmerspixelated]

13. AHA! I like to scamper!

that's after I sashay!

[csziggy]

18. Now they have "smart" electric blankets

That are supposed to sense where you are under the blanket and only heat those parts. How it works for me is if my feet are really cold when I get under the blanket, it never warms up at the foot and my feet stay frozen. I have to pull the blanket up so it senses some warm part of my body, let it warm up, then pull it down over my feet and hope they warm up before the blanket gives up.

[elocs]

10. I love my electric blanket, keeping the bedroom cool and getting toasty warm underneath it.

I have a blanket over it and turn it on about 10-15 minutes before I go to bed and rolling back the covers will make it heat up faster. My top setting is 11 as well and the blanket works beautifully.

Eventually they do seem to peter out over a few years. I have a couple that do not work anymore, but when they worked they worked well.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

11. I have a heated mattress pad.

I think it's from overstock.com

It goes under the bottom sheet. It doesn't get nearly as hot as old electric blankets, but makes it warm enough that I don't have to wear a ton of clothes to bed.

[angryfirelord]

12. I agree, use another blanket

Otherwise, all the heat just radiates out. I don't use one, but my sister does because she tends to be affected by the cold a lot and she always puts a comforter on top of it.

[LiberalEsto]

14. I use two dogs

and one of those microwave-heated "bed buddies".

[david13]

15. Just one: don't. Just get a big quilt or comforter and a blanket or

two and save the electricity. Reduce the carbon footprint. Ecology, and all that.
dc

[StarsInHerHair]

16. is it Made in China pos? refund get another one

I'd donate working electric blankets to the elderly-so they could use them in the living room as well as on the bed, but I don't have the money.

[EFerrari]

17. I've returned 3 for not working right.

These aren't your parents' electric blankets. :)