Spicy pillows are the new hidden battery danger I found in my home heres how to dispose of them safely

Date:
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Description:
I recently discovered a 'spicy pillow' in my home here's everything you need to know about disposing of them.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Tech Radar Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member
features. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting
your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. Explore An account already exists for this email address, please log in. Subscribe to our newsletter Sustainability Week 2025 This article is part of a series of sustainability-themed articles we're running to observe Earth Day 2026 and promote more sustainable practices. Check out all of our Sustainability Week 2026 content. Most of the portable electronic devices you own have one. Without them, your phone wouldnt have any power, your portable chargers would cease to function, and your handheld games consoles would be left with a
black screen. Allow me to introduce to you, the lithium-ion battery.

Thats right, lithium-ion batteries keep a huge proportion of modern devices going. But why are they so ubiquitous? Well, they offer a crucial combination of long-lasting power and a lightweight build, which makes them ideal for cramming into slim modern wearables, smartphones, tablets, and more. What if
I told you that something that we rely upon so intensely, something that is just about everywhere, can actually be pretty dangerous? But why are lithium-ion batteries so dangerous? And how should you dispose of them if
they begin to pose a threat? Well, Ill answer all of that and more. Article continues below You may like Does wireless charging really kill your phone's battery? Scientists explain New sodium battery creates an internal barrier that helps prevent battery fires Heres how I optimize my iPhones battery life to make it last longer Enter the spicy pillow Our Editor at Large, Lance Ulanoff discovered a swollen lithium-ion battery in our OnePlus 9 Pro unit a few years back (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff) If lithium-ion
batteries get damaged or punctured, they are a serious threat, and can cause explosions and fires while also releasing toxic gas.

Whats more, lithium-ion batteries can sometimes swell up, turning them into what some call a spicy pillow. This is typically the result of a build-up of gas, which can stem from numerous things, such as internal components degrading, high temperatures, or component defections.

In this swollen state, lithium-ion batteries are especially dangerous theyre more sensitive to high temperatures, and more prone to explosions or setting on fire. Ultimately, no one wants to deal with a spicy pillow, but unfortunately, I had the misfortune of discovering one myself lately.

I was in the process of moving out of my apartment. Id been boxing things up left right and center, discovering clothes I believed to have been lost and books Id forgotten that I owned. But then, I stumbled across something a bit more concerning. My old Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with the back plate almost bursting off. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me
with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

That was the moment I knew I had it a spicy pillow.

Now, Id neglected my Z Flip 4 for some time, after substituting it for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE back in 2024. However, swelling can still occur in old devices, sometimes due to internal components degrading and releasing gas. Luckily, though, this wasnt my first rodeo. My Nintendo 3DS battery expanded beyond belief back in 2013, so I knew what I was dealing with.

So, you may be wondering: what should I do if I encounter a spicy pillow?
Well fear not, Im here to give you the lowdown. What to read next Why didn't the Galaxy S26 get a silicon carbon battery upgrade? Samsung explains Fairphone's Nature Report shows the worrying environmental impact of phones Beyond cracked screens: how device protection can evolve to cover our digital lives Safety first Spicy pillows can force the casing on your phone to burst off, ensure to handle them with care (Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
If you discover a swollen lithium-ion battery, its important to handle it
with care. If you hear any hissing or see any fumes, you should call
emergency services, as this is an imminent and serious fire hazard.

But if your battery is simply inflated, there are a few things to bear in mind.

Above all, you should make sure to dispose of the inflated lithium-ion
battery in the safest manner possible. You should not throw your unit into
the trash, a typical recycling bin, or a body of water. Instead, you should research the safest place to dispose of them in your area.

For me, this was a local recycling center, where I simply had to book an appointment, alert a member of staff about the batterys swollen state, and place the offender into a container.

You can take a swollen lithium-ion battery to a hazardous waste facility in your area, or in some cases, send your device back to the manufacturer, if theyre willing to accept it. Some retailers can also safely dispose of
swollen batteries, but its worth contacting them in advance to check if they can help you out.

If youre in an awkward middle point where you have an appointment booked for disposal, but you have to wait until the following day, then dont fear. After all, there are a few steps you can take to keep yourself as safe as possible in the interim.

Firstly, its important to consider storage. Youll want to place your swollen lithium-ion battery in a cool, dry container thats resistant to fire. That could be a metal box or a fire-proof container just make sure to keep it
well out of the way of anything flammable. Its also worth filling your container with dry sand if you have some available, which acts as another protective layer in your storage setup.

For maximum protection, you may want to consider leaving your container outdoors but only if its dry and you have a safe area to place it in. Again, this is only a temporary move, youll want to dispose of your swollen battery as soon as possible.

Finally, its important to stop using a device with a spicy pillow inside
right away. Turn the device off, ensure not to charge it, and if you can do
so safely, remove the battery with caution. If the battery is challenging to remove or youre feeling apprehensive, Id strongly suggest having it removed
by a professional. Some recycling points or hazardous waste centers may take the battery while its inside a device, if youre willing to get rid of an old phone or console, say. But again, ensure to check with a relevant staff
member if you plan on doing this.

So, there you have it. Spicy pillows are more common than you may think, and its well worth checking on your old devices to see if their batteries are in good shape. If not, just remember to store them safely, dispose of them in an environmentally conscious and cautious manner, and call emergency services if you see fumes, hear hissing, or catch wind of a fire. Stay safe, people! Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/spicy-pillows-are-the-new-hidden-battery-dang er-i-found-in-my-home-heres-how-to-dispose-of-them-safely


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