Homemade paraffin bath?

[CathyA]

I mentioned in another post that I was thinking of buying a good paraffin bath for my arthritic hands and feet. It would cost about $180, which would include 6# of paraffin. It is used in spas and clinics and is medical grade.
But now I'm seeing some sites that talk about using an oval crock pot for a homemade one. That would be $50 tops. But.......I'm thinking the safest way to go would be the more expensive one, since it is meant to be on all the time and has a better plug and more heat control.
I'm torn..........$130 dollars is a big difference. But I also don't want to waste $50.
Any thoughts?

[Nella]

Hmm. Interesting idea. I know that paraffin can be very flammable at high heat, which is why the paraffin baths are set as a very low, "slow," heat. I think I'd be comfortable using a crockpot at the low setting, but probably not the high setting. Do you really need to have it on all the time. The paraffin bath I used to use would take about an hour to heat up all the wax, but then I'd always unplug it. Of course, I didn't use it everyday.

[CathyA]

Thanks Nella,
I wouldn't keep mine plugged in all the time either. I guess the crockpot idea is a good one, but it concerns me a little that its not set up to do the right things (correct temp, etc.) I'll just have to think on this awhile.
Thanks again for your input.

[Nella]

One other idea... I see paraffin baths time and again at thrift stores. The home use type that is. That might be on option for you.

[puglogic]

Have you looked for the good ones on eBay, CathyA? It seems to me that a crockpot's temperature wouldn't go low enough....would it?

[CathyA]

hmmmm.....I hadn't thought about it not going low enough! I'm thinking I remember that even on low, its about 225F. The store-bought ones are 125-135F, so you're right about that.
Thanks for the suggestion pug.

[Aqua Blue]

My crockpot has a keep warm setting, but I don't know how hot it gets.