Live in MI,Work 2nd/3rd shift (very cold) If plugged in 2.5 hr before eating would it be hot or would outdoor temperatures prevent this.
1040133
I'm not sure beause we live in So. Cal. I do remember that my husband said it heats up very quickly and some food gets really hot. I think it would work even in cold weather.
176647
This product must be plugged in to AC power to stay warm. Once the food is warm it cools over about 15-20 minutes.
1260962
I assume that would be ok, just keep it out of the weather. I leave mine plugged in for long periods of time, but mine is indoors.
532021
I'm just guessing, but the unit does give off heat over a long period of time. I think it would just be too hot to have under a plug. The plug and cord would be unsafe there.
410546
It will wear down the battery if left in all the time. Wenleave ours plugged in while traveling, and unplug it overnight. It stays cold.
859567
As far as cold weather performance, I'm now disappointed. I tested it today with both the car and the just-charged powerall cold, at -15°C (5F). It doesn't work. But there could be something wrong with mine and maybe it's not fully charged. While charging, it stayed at the 3-led level for 4 hrs. So I dis/reconnected charger, and suddenly it goes to 5 leds and stops. Something's weird.
114388
I plug it in around 9am and by 11:30 the contents are perfectly warm. I have also left it plugged in longer without over drying the contents. I love this little crock.
1555438
It stays hot for about an hour to 2 in cold condiitions, I work outside. But it stays warm for several hours.
732112
I live in a very cold place, this type (lipo) of battery heats up when in use, but leave out in cold without using will probably ruin them.
757735
Its gotten pretty warm. I try to charge it for only the recommended time and not leave it pluggedin too long
88412
I have never timed it, as I usually unplug the unit and carry the whole thing to the cafeteria and eat it right away. I am a teacher and use this at school. I plug it in when I arrive in the morning. We have lunch about 4 hours later and my food is hot by then. You won't want to remove the metal insert right away; it will be pretty hot.
969162
No sorry to say. My husband get everything real cold then unplugs so it does not freeze. Just don't forget to plug back in!!
1665361
We have left it plugged in to our car for up to 6 hours without losing power for the car. I also have the electrical plug in so I can plug it in overnight at motel rooms. Have never tried it overnight on the car battery. Some cars will shut off the battery after a certain length of time so you would want to check on that before you set out on a trip. Hope that this helps. We have found that if you place a frozen bag of water or ice in the cooler it also helps keep items colder on hot days. I some times double bag it so as to prevent leaks. I don't use the blue ice packs as they take up to much room. We have left it plugged in to our car for up to 6 hours without losing power for the car. I also have the electrical plug in so I can plug it in overnight at motel rooms. Have never tried it overnight on the car battery. Some cars will shut off the battery after a certain length of time so you would want to check on that before you set out on a trip. Hope that this helps. We have found that if you place a frozen bag of water or ice in the cooler it also helps keep items colder on hot days. I some times double bag it so as to prevent leaks. I don't use the blue ice packs as they take up to... » Read More We have left it plugged in to our car for up to 6 hours without losing power for the car. I also have the electrical plug in so I can plug it in overnight at motel rooms. Have never tried it overnight on the car battery. Some cars will shut off the battery after a certain length of time so you would want to check on that before you set out on a trip. Hope that this helps. We have found that if you place a frozen bag of water or ice in the cooler it also helps keep items colder on hot days. I some times double bag it so as to prevent leaks. I don't use the blue ice packs as they take up to much room. « Show Less
2157741
Warm is OK. Hot is not. Even 1-2 watts of power dissipation will warm a plug sufficiently that you can feel it, but is perfectly safe. Given that this heater draws 1,500 W, it's likely that this amount of power is being dissipated at the plug. The very small resistance where the plug touches the socket contacts is sufficient to cause this. And given that the purpose of this device is to generate heat, it's not like it's 'waste' heat either!
1319275
I cannot imagine leaving it plugged in outside but if your concern is the flexibility of the cord, it should be fine. I leave mine plugged in an unheated garage. While it is slightly less flexible than during the summer, it is still far more usable than most cords. I cannot speak to the safety of leaving a cord plugged in outside all winter.
1528837
I've used it the entire time of driving however just to be o the safe side I would not leave something plugged in it overnight. Expecially if you have an older battery.
1067133
My food has stayed cold for up to 5hours, which is the longest I've waited to eat. I was inside, so I don't know how being outside would affect the time.