Easy Rice and Herb Microwave Heat Bag

It’s been cold with a capital BRRR! around here for the past few weeks, and on cold evenings every extra bit of warmth is welcome. We have several rice bags that can be heated up in the microwave. The Big Guy takes one to bed to warm up his toes, and the Little Guy and I like to cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and a rice bag while we watch TV.

Rice bags are very easy and quick to make. The instructions below are for two sizes. The larger bag is 11″x18″, and the small one is 5-1/2″x18″. You can make one large bag or two small ones from a fat quarter of fabric. I added herbs to mine because I love the smell, but you can leave them out if you prefer.

Large Herb & Rice Microwave Heat Bag

• Cotton fabric (fat quarter or cut to 22″x18″)
• 6 cups of cheap long grain rice
• 1/2 cup dried peppermint
• 1/2 cup dried lavender
• 1/2 cup dried lemongrass

A word about herbs: I’m lucky to have an herb shop and a health food store that sells bulk herbs both within driving distance, and I also purchase online from Mountain Rose Herbs. I’ve been a customer of theirs for several years and highly recommend them. Their products are excellent, as are their sustainability practices. (If you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.)

Assembly:

Fold cut fabric in half, right sides together, matching short edges. Stitch along one short side and one long side to form a tube. Turn tube right side out and press.

Turn down the raw edge of the tube 1/4″ and press.

Starting on one long edge, divide your tube into four equal sections and mark the lines with a pencil or marker. Stitch along each of the lines to make four long sections.

Divide your tube into two equal halves and draw a line across the middle.

Mix the herbs and rice together in a large bowl and spoon 3/4 cup of the mixture into each of the four sections. (I used a rolled-up piece of paper as a funnel to make it easier to fill the sections.) Shake the bag to get all the herbs and rice into the bottom, then stitch across the center line.

Repeat filling and stitch the top half of the bag closed.

Small Herb & Rice Microwave Heat Bag

• Cotton fabric (cut to 11″x18″)
• 3 cups of cheap long grain rice
• 1/4 cup dried peppermint
• 1/4 cup dried lavender
• 1/4 cup dried lemongrass

Assembly:

Fold cut fabric in half, right sides together, matching long edges. Stitch along one short side and one long side to form a tube. Turn tube right side out and press.

Turn down the raw edge of the tube 1/4″ and press.

Divide your tube into four equal sections and mark the lines with a marker or pencil.

Mix the herbs and rice together in a large bowl and spoon 3/4 cup of the mixture into the bag. Shake the bag to get all the herbs and rice into the bottom, then stitch across the first marked line.

Repeat filling and stitching each of the remaining sections, finish by stitching the top edge of the bag closed.

I store my rice bags in a sealed container to help the herbs keep their scent. To use, put the bag in the microwave for a minute or so. Depending on the size of your microwave, you may need more or less time to get the desired temperature. If a minute isn’t enough, add 30 seconds at a time and keep checking. Be careful not to over-warm the bags or you could scorch the rice inside. Stinky rice bags are not good!

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products or services I use and love myself. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”