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Most of the portable electronic devices you own have one. Without them, your phone wouldn’t 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.
That’s 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, I’ll answer all of that and more.
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Enter the spicy pillow
If lithium-ion batteries get damaged or punctured, they are a serious threat, and can cause explosions and fires while also releasing toxic gas.
What’s 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 — they’re 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. I’d been boxing things up left right and center, discovering clothes I believed to have been lost and books I’d 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.
That was the moment I knew I had it… a spicy pillow.
Now, I’d 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 wasn’t 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, I’m here to give you the lowdown.
Safety first
If you discover a swollen lithium-ion battery, it’s 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 battery’s 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 they’re willing to accept it. Some retailers can also safely dispose of swollen batteries, but it’s worth contacting them in advance to check if they can help you out.
If you’re in an awkward middle point where you have an appointment booked for disposal, but you have to wait until the following day, then don’t fear. After all, there are a few steps you can take to keep yourself as safe as possible in the interim.
Firstly, it’s important to consider storage. You’ll want to place your swollen lithium-ion battery in a cool, dry container that’s 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. It’s 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 it’s dry and you have a safe area to place it in. Again, this is only a temporary move, you’ll want to dispose of your swollen battery as soon as possible.
Finally, it’s 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 you’re feeling apprehensive, I’d strongly suggest having it removed by a professional. Some recycling points or hazardous waste centers may take the battery while it’s inside a device, if you’re 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 it’s 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!
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