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Can cold packs be reused

Updated: 8/9/2023
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Wiki User

13y ago

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I assume you mean the chemical cold packs that you twist and shake which become cold immediately. Those cannot be reused since breaking the liquid vial and shaking mixes two chemical ingredients and result in an irreversible chemical reaction. The chemical cold packs uses the endothermic reaction of ammonium nitrate and water to cool down quickly. When one breaks a tube inside the pack the ammonium nitrate is released allowing it to mix with the water.

Technically the reaction can be reversed by dehydrating the ammonium nitrate, however it is generally not feasible to do so, hence there are no "reusable" cold packs.

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Wiki User

14y ago
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james g

Lvl 2
1y ago

They can be reused if ammonium nitrate and water. The way these are designed is you have two different bags 1 inside the other the outer bag contains ammonium nitrate and the inner bag contains the water. When the inner bag is broke it releases the water and then endothermic reaction occurs. Now to reverse the process to reuse is really simple take a pair of scissors and cut the bag empty the constant into a container ie glass glass bowl as long as it glass not metal or plastic. Put it in a warm area and have fan over it to evaporate the water completely. Once that has happened get 2 zip lock bags and hot glue,you need a small and a medium size bag. Fill small bag with water and close it, now put on some protective gloves, scrape the glass and carefully pour the ammonium nitrate in to the larger bag put the small bag inside now. Now close the bag there should be 2 little flaps at the top of the bag carefully apply hot glue to one side and press the opposite side down on it so it's glued all the way along the top. When need carefully put pressure on the inner bag to release the water shake and now you have a recycled ice pack.

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Wiki User

13y ago

Yes, ice packs can be reused. If the ice pack has touched a skin infection, I would recommend washing it. Then just put it pack in the freezer and it is good as new.

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Wiki User

10y ago

if you can see the lable for it then it is

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Q: Can cold packs be reused
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