Thread: The Hot Towel

On the occasion when I use a hot towel, i generally use an electric kettle get a couple of face towels and just pour the hot water over them. I open em up give em a shake or two to let off some steam and apply. Good stuff on the weekend when i have the time. i enjoy the experience and commence to a nice shave. Oh and I like to hot towel over my first lather application use it to wipe off, then my scuttle is ready for some more warm lather application. Sounds like chore but its my weekend ritual and I'm loving it. Enjoy the shave friends.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Barbers had a towel heater just for that purpose though many probably didn't use them. The hot towels were hot enough so they could hardly touch them with their hands. Don't forget your hands are way more sensitive to heat than your face.

This says something pithy about us as upright monkeys, I'm just not sure what.

Originally Posted by wayne394

Lost in translation!! A 'flannel' over here is just a name for a small towel, about 8" square. It's known as 'a face flannel'. It's just a small towel, used as a face cloth. It could be used as a towel, but would be too small. It's not actually made of proper flannel.

Your research was very informative though!

Diolch!

Very interesting! You learn something new every day.

Originally Posted by jfleming9232

I use a hot towel on occasion as a treat. I picked up a cheap rice cooker at Wal-Mart along with a couple of fluffy hand towels. Fold the hand towel into the rice steamer and let it go. Just be careful, it is a REALLY hot towel. As stated above, I don't think it's necessary, but it is nice.

This sounds like a really nice setup! If you don't mind me asking, how much did it set you back and what products are you using? How have you found it to be (it sounds really luxurious barbershop quality!)? Also, how long does it take the towels to heat up after you plug the machine in? If I were to try and replicate the setup, any tips?

Thanks!

I did the hot towel for years, but it's just to tme consuming for me to do every day. Everyone is different though.

Originally Posted by SingleMaltWhiskers

This sounds like a really nice setup! If you don't mind me asking, how much did it set you back and what products are you using? How have you found it to be (it sounds really luxurious barbershop quality!)? Also, how long does it take the towels to heat up after you plug the machine in? If I were to try and replicate the setup, any tips?

Thanks!

The rice cooker was $10 iirc, and the hand towels about the same. The time frame is about 15min to heat up the towels. All were bought at Wal-Mart.

I have sensitive skin and a tough beard which is a terrible combination. I have tried various things to soften up may face and beard.

I thought the towel would be the way forward, but in all honesty I don't think it makes a noticeable difference. If I do use one though, I just run it under the hot tap and then wring it out. It's way too much of a hassle to go downstairs and start microwaving towels.

I think the thought of it is actually better than the practice, but then again, a good shave is all about the experience so if time permits...

I just had a thought, when I've had a cold in the past, I put my head over a steaming bowl of water with menthol crystals in it and then draped a towel over my head to create a kind of mini steam room for my face. Now that's got to soften up the old beard. Maybe I'll try that.

Keep in mind not all members use the hot towel as a "pre-shave" treatment. I use the hot towel as a "after the shave " method of removing the left over lather & the feeling of a hot wet towel on a freshly shaved face is fantastic. The micro is small & sits next to the sink, in the Shave Den (small cramped bathroom).

I might have to try the post-shave hot towel. I enjoy the luxury of the pre-shave towel but often don't give myself enough time for it(still new with the SR and take plenty of time working on technique). I feel you with the small cramped bathroom Hirlau. My shave den has about the same square footage as a barbers hone.

Someday my son might become rich & buy a house for his dad with a BIG shave den,,,,