I would use Hand Hot water to soak them in, this heats the air in the seed
and expels it from the seed case, then as the water cools the trapped air
shrinks and draws water in.
Often if you just put seed into cold water there is a fine coat of air that
stops the water entering the seed coat.
Also much easier than chiting hard coated seeds.

--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk