Heatstones: reusable?

[Aduaitam]

So two of my players bickered a bit over whether heatstones (20 GP, 1 lb, 24 hours of warm comfortable heat, etc.) are reusable. The more seasoned GM of the two insists that they shouldn't be because they're inexpensive and the gear description doesn't say they are. However, argues the other players, the description doesn't say they aren't. My take from a lore perspective is that Heatstones are described in Campaign Setting as needing replacement "every three years", with the alchemical treatment described in the entry allowing for 24-hour cycle activation rather than continuous radiation. I agree it seems a bit OP, but RAW needs clarification unless I missed something. Thoughts?

[BigNorseWolf]

Something that wasn't disposable wouldn't have a time limit.

Then again there's no penalty to not having a fire really.

[Aduaitam]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Something that wasn't disposable wouldn't have a time limit.

Then again there's no penalty to not having a fire really.

See, I want to agree, but a time limit also means you can't turn it off until that time passes. That combined with all the items that specifically state the item is used up after the time period (lotta wondrous items, probably some gear too) really makes me doubtful, and I'll likely remain so until someone finds specific RAW or an analogous/direct dev ruling.

[Nefreet]

Tindertwigs don't say they're not reusable.

They just "burn for 1d2 rounds".

So, infinite candle light, right? Just keep relighting them. You wouldn't have to worry about burning your fingers, either, because it doesn't say you do.

[Starglim]

At the price I'd say they should be one use. It's something like a wand charge of endure elements without the spellcasting requirements. Though, I suppose, you could also compare them to a tinderbox, which costs 1 gp IIRC.

[roll4initiative]

Ditto to Starglim's response. Heatstones seem kinda inexpensive for a multi-use item.

Ahhh! After reading the original post again, that it needs to recharge for 24 hours and burns out after 3 years, you could still die of hypothermia in the wild while that heatstone is recharging.