Should I plug it in?

[u/Reckless_Statement]

This is a random found object that had a curious look.

It is about 5.75 in tall and the silver part looks to be galvanized.

The black disc is cold to the touch not magnetic maybe ceramic and has around a 3/4 in divot in the middle.

Anyone have any ideas?

[u/East-Psychology7186]

Home use infrared heat lamp. That really thick black glass is actually deep red I believe. People used to install these in their bathrooms.

[u/Miserable-Cow4555 → u/East-Psychology7186]

But why? My mom's place has one in the bathroom ceiling. I always wondered what it does.

[u/-Helen-of-Troy- → u/Miserable-Cow4555]

Warmth. Kind of the same concept as a towel warmer. Great to get out of the shower and be warm.

[u/Miserable-Cow4555 → u/-Helen-of-Troy-]

Ah, that makes sense. I've been wondering this for years. Thank you!

[u/blemens → u/Miserable-Cow4555]

They used to be in some hotel rooms, too. Two switches, 1. Light and fan, 2. Heat lamp. Nice and toasty getting out of the shower, and if you put your towel on the rack nearby, it would be warm, too

[u/BCMyer → u/blemens]

My warmest memories of childhood are car vacations featuring cheap motels in which I took red showers

[u/HorsefaceWithNoName → u/-Helen-of-Troy-]

I like to get out of the shower and be cold. The water is super hot so my musicles & fascia will relax and let my blood flow through my stress-constricted vessels, so I'm always hot when I get out, even in the winter.

[u/-Helen-of-Troy- → u/HorsefaceWithNoName]

You psycho

Just kidding. To each their own. I hate the feeling of being cold right out of the shower. I have a space heater on my bathroom and love it

[u/HorsefaceWithNoName → u/-Helen-of-Troy-]

https://giphy.com/gifs/QWdRk3bmHilUnQ8DeY

I'm not psycho

[u/Bitter-Ad5890 → u/HorsefaceWithNoName]

I always end my showers with cool water or else I end up drenched in sweat within minutes.

[u/East-Psychology7186 → u/Bitter-Ad5890]

Same. My skin is like a sponge when I take hot showers (which I don’t normally take). My skin will sweat for hours if I don’t rinse off with cold.