How to Check if Ereada Mat Heats Well?
To check if the mat is heating correctly and uniformly, please cover the preheated Mat with a blanket for 30 minutes and then remove the cover and immediately measure the bare mat temperature.
Please, compare the higher 1/3 of the mat, the middle part, and the lower 1/3 of the mat (not including edge tubes and crystals). If the difference is within 10-15˚F, it is OK.
The temperature may be significantly higher in the first moments. It will drop everywhere in minutes or go up if you cover the mat again or lay on it; the temperature fluctuates fast due to crystals’ ability to radiate heat is normal. It goes up when you lay on the mat and press the amethyst layer against the heating system.
There is also one more way to test the mat heating elements' speed and power. It is not recommended to frequently do it because it can overload the heating elements and overheat the bimetal sensors. Also, the controller may stop heating if it receives different information about the mat temperature in the different zones and layers of the mat.
A. Put a 3-D Protector Pad from your Mat set and a blanket on the Mat and turn it on the highest level to preheat for an hour.
B. Remove the Pad and the blanket from the Mat and put a Thick non-permeable Pillow (like our Amethyst Pillow or any other foam one) on the Mat to block FIR Heat and leave it for half an hour.
C. Take away the Pillow and immediately measure the temperature on the mat surface under the Pillow and after this on the surrounding area. We usually recommend using the standard Infrared Remote Thermometer (in the factory lab, we have sensors attached on the mat). The mat can become hot and reach 140-160˚F ( 60-65 C ) under the pillow, but it will be only 100-120˚F ( 40-50 C ) on uncovered areas.
Some customers do not feel the hot surface and, first, think the mats are underpowered. Sometimes several weeks later, quite the opposite claims that the mats heat too much are received, and we recommend using them on decreased lower levels. At this moment, the customers realize how useful the controller’s ability to adjust temperature settings and use different heat levels for different conditions.
In general, these FIR hot stone mats do not work like conventional heating pads.
The temperature level displayed on the controller screen shows the inner heating elements measured by sensors inside the heating system. It does not reflect the surface of the mat temperature, which is significantly lower as the stones do not keep the warmth inside and radiate energy in the form of Far Infrared Rays.
Usually, it should take less than an hour for the Amethyst Mat covered with a blanket and thick 3-d padded protector to reach the maximum level of heating unless it is too cold in the room.
Sometimes when the ambient temperature is low and it is windy, the heat dissipates, and the mat can be only 100-110˚F on the top on the maximum level. If you measure the temperature on top of the protector, it will be even lower.
However, if you cover it with a thick blanket or lay on it for 15-20 minutes, then stand up and re-measure immediately; the temperature should go up to 120-140˚F ( 50-60˚C ). Still, again several minutes later, it will drop because the heat will dissipate, and the stones will cool down quickly.
It is indeed a significant advantage of hot stone mats that the crystals can radiate healing warmth and remain not so hot to touch. Please, note that the heating area of the mat does not include the logo area.
Also, the highest and lowest tubes with crystals and not heated directly. For extra safety, the heating elements are positioned approximately one-two inches from the edges and sides of the amethyst surface, so the remaining stones are heated indirectly by the other rocks. It is normal for them to be cooler initially, but if you heat the mat for hours, the edge stones will become the same hot.FIR Amethyst mats radiate deep penetrative heat into the body, so they should be used at a much lower "sensible" temperature than the standard electric heating device and demands extra care, especially for all-night use.
Primarily it refers to bigger size mats which are very powerful and may cause overstimulation, hyperthermia, or buzz effects if overused. Mini and Midsize mats are safer and may also be used to focus on some local areas ( hand, low back, leg ) without causing full-body hyperthermia.
Our skin temperature sensors are not familiar with radiant heat, so extra care is necessary even if you feel that the mat is not hot. It is incredible to lay on the warm mat and start to sweat after half an hour as if you are in a sauna. Of course, not everybody starts to sweat from the first time as usually it demands some accommodation period for the body, but finally, it works so.
If you need full energy, please, remove the thick 3-D air layer padded protector and use only the thin one. A thick protector dissipates around 20-30% of warming energy, but it is preferable for sleeping or long sessions on lower warmth levels to ease crystals' pressure on the back.
Of course, if you feel that the mat is not heating correctly or is hot only in the middle after one hour of correct heating or other parts are much colder, it may mean sensor dysfunction and need replacement. If "under the pillow or thick blanket experiment" shows 100-110˚F ( 40-45˚C ), same as on the open mat, it means some disruptions as well.
If so, please let me know, and we will arrange a controller replacement. Please, also check the following article on the Ereada website about the temperature experiments:
HOW TO HEAT EREADA MAT CORRECTLY AND MEASURE IT'S TEMPERATURE