Gizmodo: heater

How Well Do You Think This Walnut Pause Heater Works?

Jason Chen — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:29:13 EST

We're always intrigued when a gadget tries to execute its function while simultaneously looking like it doesn't. This Walnut Pause Heater, which uses IR to heat your body, also has built-in speakers.

It's unclear how the IR heating works. Does it heat everything around the unit? Just bodies? Just water-filled bodies? How about a glass of water? Can you keep a drink warm by placing it on top? How about newspapers? T-Shirts? Underwear? At the very least, you'll always have a speaker handy when it becomes available in January 2010. [Iradium via Trendir via Unpluggd]

Giant Patio Heaters With Tiny Media Players Are Finally a Reality

Sean Fallon — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:20:00 EST

Don't get me wrong, the Poseidon is probably the coolest looking patio heater I have ever seen, but the media player? The unit is 6.5 feet tall, and It looks like someone duct taped an iPhone to it.

The product page doesn't mention the actual size of the screen, but you would surely burn to death trying to watch anything on this. Outside of that bizarre addition, the Poseidon from Chillchaser has a lot going for it. Features include: carbon fiber heating tubes that reduce power consumption and cut emissions by up to 50%, it uses a standard 220 - 240V electric supply instead of gas, 13-foot heating area at 110 degree angle, replaceable elements will last up to 8000 hours, safety auto-shut off, and durable all-weather construction.

Poseidon will set you back around $1419, but you could always forgo the useless media player and spend half that or less on Chillchasers other models. [Chillchaser via Appliancist]

Lego Radiator is the New Hotness

Sean Fallon — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:50:00 EDT

For many of us, it is the time of the year when we start thinking about staying warm. If you happen to be one of those people who is already lounging on a Lego couch or lighting things up with a Lego lamp, you will probably enjoy "Brick"—the latest product designed for the Italian company Scirocco. Apparently, a Lego motif actually makes for a thermally-efficient radiator.

The enhanced surface area of the blocks helps to spread heat more effectively, and each brick has a double plumbing connection—one for the heating system and one that allows you to snap together the bricks like actual Legos. How much all of this will cost to install is unknown—but nothing this nerdy ever comes cheap. [Scirocco via Trendir via DVICE]

Octocube: What the Heck is This?

Kit Eaton — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:02:00 EDT

If you can guess what this is at first glance then you're a better man than I ...

At second glance you might wonder about those pipes. And then you might realize it's actually a radiator, built entirely from 90-degree pipe pieces. It's designed to be a sculptural heater that fits in with any interior, according to designer Vivien Muller. At least there's some physics in there, though: a large surface area heater like this would be a good compromise between heating efficiency and compact size.

One thing, though: Vivien can't do much of the cleaning at home... can you imagine the dust this thing would collect? Just a concept. [Vivien Muller via Yanko designs]

Webasto Heater is Activated by SMS, Pre-Heats Your Ride

Haroon Malik — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:07:57 EST

The winter may bring with it romantic comedies featuring Hugh Grant, but the downside is the drop in temperature. Fortunately, the Webasto Thermo Top E Parking Heater allows users to send a text message to a car where it is installed, which then kicks it into action, ensuring your car is warm to the touch when you get in. The self-contained unit uses a tiny amount of fuel, and can also be activated by voice or remote control. The heater outputs 4.2kW for a maximum of 60 minutes at a time. Sure, that would keep you from hanging like a brass monkey, but the $1,695 price tag seems a little on the hefty side to us. Remember; it's not cold if it's free cold, whatever that means. [Red Ferret]

Tefal Quick Cup Boils Water Faster Than You Can Read This Abnormally Long Headline That We Are Stretching Out OK Done

Jason Chen — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:20:42 EST

Does the ability to heat eight ounces of water in three seconds interest you? Then take a look at this Teal quick Cup, which produces hot (we're not sure if it's near boiling) water by spinning the cold water you pour in around the spiral heating element. Not only is it fast, it's supposedly more efficient than a standard kettle or hot water heater because it only needs to be "on" for those three-ish seconds. Useful for your instant cups of tea or filling up a bathtub the dumb way. [Quickcup via Giz Mag via Boing Boing Gadgets]

Fireplace Heater Looks, Feels Just Like the Real Thing

Jason Chen — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:45:16 EST

Leave it to the Japanese to create a heater that's as ingenius as this. It may look like a cross between an LCD display and a space heater, but the display part of the gadget actually shows a "real" fireplace. The end result is that you get to imagine that your (really tiny) Japanese apartment has a fireplace in it while you're warming up your fingers and toes during the long Kyoto winters. Too bad it's 25,800 yen ($242) or we'd import one for ourselves. [Hammer Price via DVICE]

Brando's Infrared Thermal Patch is Just a Lousy Heater

Jason Chen — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 14:35:32 EST

We've been lucky enough to not have to deal with carpal tunnel, but those of you who do might be interested in this Brando "Infrared Thermal Patch." We're not sure which part of it is infrared, or which part of it is a patch, but it's just a little plastic plate you place on the affected area that will warm it up to relieve stress at temperatures up to 40~45 Celsius. Or, you can just wipe your ass with a twenty and two ones and be done with it. [Brando]

Keep Your Lunch Fresh With the Power of NASA Technology

Sean Fallon — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:30:43 EDT

According to the product page, the Franklin Digital Cooler uses "a tiny NASA microchip" that allows the device to go from "hot to freezing cold in a matter of minutes." So, theoretically, you can keep you hot dishes hot and your cold dishes cold when traveling. There is even an LED thermometer and thermostat that allows the user to set the exact temperature, and a car adapter kit to keep things fresh—even on long drives. Let's just hope that NASA builds their cooler microchip better than they build their shuttles. The last thing I need is a piece of foam or something breaking off and smacking me in the face while I'm driving. Available for $49.95. [Product Page via TRFJ]

USB Mini Fridge And Heater

Jason Chen — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:35:33 EDT

This USB Geek mini fridge and heater may look like the USB mini fridge we've seen before, but it's got a whole 100% more functionality—namely, heating. Not only can you keep your already chilled drinks from warming up slightly slower, it does the same thing in reverse for hot drinks. If only all our gadgets could perform their functions in reverse, we'd be able to blow the dust in our living room instead of just sucking it. [USBGeek]

Panasonic Makes Creepy Furry Snake Heaters

Jason Chen — Tue, 01 May 2007 18:45:28 EDT

Panasonic demoed a "No-Constraints Carpet" concept recently, and for once we're glad this thing is still a concept. It's a carpet/rug that's shaped like a furry snake in order to mimic the feel of a hot pet. The hot part? That comes from small heating elements buried inside.

In essence, you've got a gigangic furry snake thing you can step on, wrap around, and caress whenever you want. Hmmm, on second thought, Panasonic? Make these now! – Jason Chen

Panasonic puts the "pet" in hot carpet [Pink Tentacle]

Desk Heater Warms Badly Circulated Extremities

Jason Chen — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 16:49:26 EST

We've always been cursed with cold hands and feet, probably because we sit at our desks for 15 hours a day. A space heater and sock combination will protect our feet (somewhat), but what about our hands? Thanks to the "World's Smallest Big Heater" from Sharper image, that's no longer a problem.

The heater is a compact 150-watt space heater that fits nicely onto your desk, and has a high, low, and even fan mode for summer days as well. Better yet, it's only $39, has a neat blue ring, and turns off by itself when you flail around wildly to the Numa Numa song and accidentally knock it over. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Sharper Image via Crunchgear]

Brando USB Warming Mouse

Jason Chen — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 13:45:14 EST

Similar to the Thanko USB Warmer Mouse, this Brando mouse keeps your hand warm with USB power. The mouse gets up to about 45 degrees C, which is about 113 F, which means it actually gets pretty hot.

This mouse is $22, compared to the Thanko's $25, so I'm totally getting one right now. My hands are always so freezing, it's a wonder I can typasdfjlzxvcio. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Brando]

Bistro Table Patio Heater Keeps You Warm Even in a Blizzard

Charlie White — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:56:11 EDT

There's less than a week until Autumn arrives, and we're already starting to feel a chill in the air. That's why you'll need to start thinking about warming up that chic sidewalk bistro where you hang out. The Bistro Table Patio Heater can help, keeping its heat down low where you need it rather than blowing almost of its heat up into space like those tall heaters do.

Fueled by propane, this swank-looking table has a hammered bronze powder coat finish, and can run for 26 hours per tank at its High setting, and 45 hours on Low. Now you can party all winter long out on that patio—just fire up the patio heater and you're good to go. Available now, it's $359. – Charlie White

Product Page [Outdoor Leisure]

Radiator Heat Wave Gives a Warm Look to Your Walls and You, Too

Charlie White — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 16:10:57 EST

Droog Design cranks up the heat with Radiator Heat Wave, a piece of wall art that actually generates radiant heat. Made of concrete and aluminum, the whole thing is held together with glass fiber and is available now. Droog Design says a water version of the Heat Wave is on its way in 2007. There s something pleasing when function follows form. Nice, job, oh my brothers.

Art Work that Creates Actual Radiant Heat [Gadget Review]

Product Page, Droog Design