I came across this by accident, having had the electricity cut at some point for a few hours due to some work along the cables. Here's what I did: Place a bowl of water on the stove and bring it to the boiling point. Pour the contents into a ceramic mug. Put your brush into the mug and let it soak a minute or two. Lather and apply to the face. Put brush back in the steaming water. It is HOT, but nowhere near the burning point. Strop the razor, make coffee, do whatever it is you like for 3-5 minutes. Wash the soap off and relather and start shaving. DO this a couple of times, it beats any hot towel or microwave options.