Richmar HydraHeat Hot Packs | 5 Sizes for HydraTherm

Richmar HydraHeat Moist Heat Hot Packs

Richmar® HydraHeat™ Hot Packs are reusable professional moist-heat packs designed around a nonporous, wipe-clean polymer exterior rather than the woven fabric shell used by traditional clay or bentonite hot packs.

They are designed to be heated while fully submerged in water maintained between 120°F and 140°F (48–60°C). Richmar recommends its HydraTherm Deluxe Moist Heat Therapy System for the complete HydraHeat workflow. 

Choose from five shapes and sizes: Standard, Large, Oversize, Universal, and Neck Contour/Cervical. Each pack is sold individually.

Which HydraHeat Pack should you choose?

The important Large-vs.-Cervical difference

The large and neck contour/cervical packs both have nominal 17" × 11" dimensions, so size alone does not distinguish them.

Choose based on shape:

• Large — HP-1711-LG: general rectangular coverage.

• Cervical — HP-1711-CX: contoured configuration for the neck/cervical region.

Quick specifications

Why HydraHeat uses a nonporous exterior

Traditional moist-heat packs often use a woven exterior. HydraHeat instead uses a sealed polymer surface that Richmar describes as bacteria-resistant and simple to wipe clean. 

For a high-volume clinic, that changes the operational workflow:

HydraHeat Packs and the HydraTherm system

For clinics standardizing around HydraHeat, the natural companion product is the Richmar HydraTherm Deluxe.

The relationship between the two products is straightforward:

The HydraTherm heating unit for HydraHeat Packs, and the HydraTherm Deluxe is designed around up to a 12-pack inventory. 

If a facility is building an entire new moist-heat station rather than replacing individual packs, compare the standalone packs with the HydraTherm Deluxe configuration that includes a 12-pack HydraHeat assortment.

HydraHeat vs. Chattanooga Hydrocollator HotPac

These are both reusable professional moist-heat products, but they belong to different heating workflows.

HydraHeat and Hydrocollator packs should not be treated as drop-in equivalents based only on physical fit. Richmar's HydraHeat IFU specifies 120–140°F, whereas Chattanooga's normal Hydrocollator workflow uses substantially hotter water.

Can HydraHeat Packs be used in another brand of heater?

HydraHeat Packs are compatible with different types of heating units, but the manufacturer's IFU still requires the water to remain within 120–140°F for best therapeutic effect and pack longevity. 

So compatibility should be evaluated using three questions:

1. Can the heater reliably maintain 120–140°F?

2. Can the selected HydraHeat Pack remain fully submerged?

3. Does use comply with the instructions for both the heater and the pack?

A tank running permanently at a higher operating temperature should not be assumed compatible simply because the pack physically fits inside.

HydraHeat vs. reusable hot/cold gel packs

HydraHeat is also different from our Uni-Patch Reusable Hot & Cold Gel Packs.

Heating instructions that matter

HydraHeat Packs should not be prepared like ordinary microwave gel packs.

Richmar instructs users to:

1. Place the pack in a compatible heating unit.

2. Maintain water between 120°F and 140°F.

3. Keep the pack completely submerged.

4. Heat it for at least 20 minutes before use.

5. Remove it carefully with plastic tongs to reduce the risk of puncturing the pack.

6. Place a towel or enough towel layers between the pack and the patient.

7. Monitor the treatment area continuously.

Do not microwave HydraHeat Packs

Do not microwave the packs. HydraHeat uses a different preparation workflow.

Towel barrier and heat adjustment

A HydraHeat Pack should never be applied directly to skin.

Users should place a towel or layers of towels between the pack and the patient. Additional or fewer towel layers may be used to modify perceived heat while still following professional treatment instructions.

Use an appropriate towel or towel layers between every HydraHeat Pack and the patient's skin.

Between-patient cleaning

The wipe-clean surface is one of HydraHeat's strongest clinic-specific differences.

Richmar directs users to clean the pack surface with a non-chlorinated, non-abrasive wipe before returning it to the heating unit.

Recommended workflow

1. Remove the pack from the patient.

2. Allow safe handling as needed.

3. Inspect the surface and seams.

4. Clean the exterior with an approved non-chlorinated, non-abrasive wipe.

5. Follow the wipe manufacturer's required contact-time instructions where applicable.

6. Inspect for punctures, seam failure, or leakage.

7. Return an intact pack to the heating unit.

Long-term storage

If a pack will not be used for an extended period, Richmar recommends removing it from the water and storing it dry and flat, rather than leaving it in the tank indefinitely.

That is especially relevant to clinics that close for extended periods or rotate specialty shapes only occasionally.

Inspect before returning a pack to service

Do not continue using a HydraHeat Pack with the following:

• A punctured exterior

• A split or visibly weakened seam

• Leakage

• Significant deformation

• Surface damage that prevents effective cleaning

Clinical safety essentials

The manufacturer's IFU states:

• Do not apply directly to skin.

• Do not use over desensitized skin.

• Do not use where circulation is compromised without appropriate medical guidance.

• Do not apply directly over cuts, abrasions, or open wounds.

• Do not sit or lie on the pack.

• Use particular caution for people who cannot reliably communicate excessive heat.

• Do not add chlorine additives to the heating water.

• Do not microwave the pack.

We already have broader heat-vs.-cold and modality guidance in its Hot and Cold Therapies resource.

What sizes do HydraHeat Hot Packs come in?

Models: Standard 12" × 10", Large 17" × 11", Oversize 17" × 13", Universal 19" × 5", and Neck Contour/Cervical 17" × 11". 

What is HP-1905-UN?

HP-1905-UN is the universal 19" × 5" HydraHeat Pack 

What is the difference between HP-1711-LG and HP-1711-CX?

Both have nominal 17" × 11" dimensions, but HP-1711-LG is the large model, and HP-1711-CX is the neck contour/cervical model. The latter uses a cervical-oriented shape. 

How hot should a HydraHeat Pack be heated?

Richmar instructs users to maintain heating-unit water between 120°F and 140°F (48–60°C).

How long does the pack need to heat?

The manufacturer's IFU requires a minimum of 20 minutes fully submerged before use.

Can HydraHeat Packs be microwaved?

No. Do not microwave them.

Can they be used in a Hydrocollator?

Do not assume normal Hydrocollator operation is appropriate. Richmar's HydraHeat instructions specify 120–140°F, while current Chattanooga Hydrocollator systems typically maintain 160–165°F. Any non-HydraTherm heater would need to meet the HydraHeat temperature and operating instructions.

Is a special terry cover required?

HydraHeat does not require a bulky dedicated terry cover, but the IFU does require a towel or towel layers between the pack and the patient. 

Are HydraHeat Packs reusable?

Yes. They are designed for repeated professional use when intact and thoroughly cleaned and maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. 

How should a pack be cleaned?

Richmar instructs users to clean the exterior with a non-chlorinated and non-abrasive wipe before returning it to the heating unit.

Should chlorine be added to the tank water?

No. The HydraHeat IFU specifically says not to add chlorine additives to the water.

Are HydraHeat packs latex-free?

HydraHeat Packs are non-latex. 

What is the warranty?

One-year warranty on HydraHeat Packs.

Can you sit or lie on a HydraHeat pack?

No. The manufacturer specifically warns against sitting or lying on the pack.

What heating unit does Richmar recommend?

Use the HydraTherm Deluxe Moist Heat Therapy System for best results.

Professional-use notice: HydraHeat Packs contain stored thermal energy capable of injuring skin when used improperly. Maintain the heating-unit temperature within the manufacturer's specified range, always use an appropriate towel barrier, monitor the application and follow the current Richmar instructions.