Information on heating devices

How does a professional heating device work?

Hydrocollators operate using a thermostatically controlled water bath at 70–80 °C. The hot packs (cotton pouches filled with silica gel) are fully submerged and heated evenly to the therapeutic temperature. The thermostat maintains a constant temperature even during continuous use—no need for manual reheating, and no temperature fluctuations between treatments.

In a typical day-to-day practice setting, the Hydrocollator should ideally be in operation from the moment the practice opens. It takes 30–60 minutes to fully heat up—after that, the packs remain ready for use at all times.

What capacity do I need?

Rule of thumb: Plan for about 2–3 hot packs per treatment room (one in use, one heating up, and one as a spare).

Maintenance – What's Really Necessary

Change the water every 4–6 weeks (to prevent limescale buildup) and check the water level weekly. Limescale buildup is the most common cause for —in areas with hard water, we recommend using softened water or regularly flushing the system with vinegar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ideal temperature for packs?

70–75 °C in a water bath. Packs that are too hot (over 80 °C) increase the risk of burns, while those that are too cold do not provide the desired therapeutic heat. Chattanooga thermostats maintain this range without manual adjustment.

How long does it take to heat up?

It takes 30–60 minutes to fully heat up. Once in operation, the packs remain at a constant temperature—so be sure to turn on the Hydrocollator at the start of your practice.

How many packs should I keep in stock?

At least twice as many as treatment rooms. After a treatment, packs take 30–45 minutes to reheat—without a stock on hand, this leads to wait times.

Consulting & Selection

Not sure what capacity is right for practice? Our team would be happy to advise you—by phone, email, or at our Zurich showroom.