Buzz
Campfires usually produce yellow and orange flames because of the iron present in the wood. By adding different chemicals, you can create colorful flames suitable for special occasions or simply for changing the fire's appearance for fun. You can sprinkle chemicals onto the flames, drop wax disks containing chemicals, or soak the wood in a chemical solution. Creating colorful flames is a fun activity, but always remember to handle fire and chemicals with caution.
Steps
Select Chemicals
Determine the Desired Flame Color. While you can transform the flames into many different colors, it’s important to decide on the color you prefer so you can choose the correct chemicals. You can create blue, turquoise, red, pink, green, orange, purple, yellow, or even white flames.
Choose the Appropriate Chemicals Based on the Desired Flame Color. To create the desired flame color, you must select the right chemicals. Use powdered chemicals, and avoid substitutes like chlorates, nitrates, or permanganates, as they produce toxic byproducts when burned.
- For blue flames: use copper chloride or calcium chloride.
- For turquoise flames: use copper sulfate.
- For red flames: use strontium chloride.
- For pink flames: use lithium chloride.
- For light green flames: use borax (boric acid).
- For green flames: use alum (potassium aluminum sulfate).
- For orange flames: use sodium chloride.
- For purple flames: use potassium chloride.
- For yellow flames: use sodium carbonate.
- For white flames: use magnesium sulfate.
Purchase the Necessary Chemicals. Some chemicals for creating flame colors are not common household items, so you'll need to find them at specialty stores, gardening centers, or chemical suppliers. You can also buy chemicals from fireworks shops or online retailers.
- Copper sulfate is often used by plumbers to kill tree roots, so you can find it at hardware stores.
- Sodium chloride is table salt, which you can purchase at any grocery store.
- Potassium chloride is often used as a water softener salt. It is available in many hardware stores.
- Borax is typically used for laundry, so you can find it in the laundry aisle of most supermarkets.
- Magnesium sulfate is found in Epsom salt, available at most drugstores.
- Copper chloride, calcium chloride, strontium chloride, lithium chloride, sodium carbonate, and alum can be found at chemical supply shops, fireworks stores, or purchased online.
Make Wax Disks
Melt Paraffin Wax Using a Double Boiler. Place a heatproof bowl in a pot of simmering water on a medium heat. Add pieces of paraffin wax to the bowl and heat until the wax has completely melted.
- You can purchase wax blocks for molding from grocery stores or use leftover candle stubs.
- Do not melt wax directly over an open flame to avoid fire hazards.
Mix Chemical Powder into the Wax. Once the wax has fully melted, remove the bowl from the double boiler. Add 1-2 tablespoons (15-30 grams) of the chemical powder and stir well until it is fully combined with the wax.
- If you prefer not to mix the chemicals directly into the wax, you can wrap them in a used dryer sheet and place it at the bottom of the container before pouring in the wax.
Allow the Mixture to Cool and Pour into Paper Cups. After mixing the chemicals with the wax, let the mixture cool for 5-10 minutes. Once cooled slightly, pour it into cupcake paper molds while the mixture is still liquid to form the wax disks.
- You can also use small paper cups or egg carton cardboard to make the wax disks.
Wait for the Wax to Set. After pouring the paraffin wax into the cupcake molds, allow it to cool and harden completely. The wax will take about 1 hour to fully solidify.
Throw the Wax Disks into the Fire. Once the wax disks have hardened, remove the paper wrapping and toss them into the hottest part of the fire. As the wax melts, the flames will change color.
- You can throw multiple wax disks with different chemicals into the fire at the same time, but be sure to toss them into different areas of the fire.
- Wax disks are perfect for campfires or fireplaces.
Sprinkle Chemicals onto the Fire
Start the Campfire. Sprinkling chemicals directly onto the campfire is usually the most effective method. Wait until the fire has a bed of embers and the flames have lowered slightly.
- For the best results, wait until the flames are around 30 cm high.
Sprinkle a small amount of chemical onto the bed of embers. Start with a small pinch to test the chemical and ensure no adverse reactions occur. Stand back a little when sprinkling the powder onto the fire to avoid accidents.
- Sprinkle the chemical on the edge of the fire rather than in the center to minimize the risk of a dangerous flare-up.
- Wear protective goggles and fire-resistant gloves when handling chemicals near fire.
- The smoke from many of these chemicals can be a serious irritant, especially for those with respiratory issues. Wear a gas mask when adding chemicals to the fire and be mindful of the direction the smoke is drifting.
Keep adding chemicals until the flames change color. The first sprinkling may not immediately alter the fire's color, so continue adding the chemicals until you see a noticeable color shift. Typically, you should see a change within about 1 minute.
Soak the Wood in Chemicals
Gather dry, light fire-starting materials. Wood materials such as wood shavings, small wood scraps, pine cones, and kindling are ideal options. You can also use rolled-up newspaper.
Mix the chemicals with water. Dissolve 450 grams of your chosen chemical in 3.8 liters of water in a plastic bucket. Stir thoroughly to help the chemicals dissolve more quickly. For best results, mix each chemical in a separate bucket.
- Glass containers are fine, but avoid using metal as it may react with the chemicals. Be careful not to break the glass near the campsite or fire pit.
- Always wear goggles, rubber gloves, and a gas mask when preparing the chemical solution.
- It’s best to prepare the solution outdoors as some chemicals may stain surfaces or release harmful gases.
Soak the wood in the chemical solution for one day. Pour the solution into a large container, such as an old ice chest or a plastic bin. Place the wood in a mesh bag (like an onion or potato sack) and submerge it in the solution. Use a brick or another heavy object to weigh the bag down, ensuring the wood remains submerged for 24 hours.
Remove the wood from the solution and let it dry. Take the bag out of the solution, let any excess liquid drip off, and then spread the pieces of wood on a sheet of newspaper or hang them in a dry, windy area. Allow the wood to dry for at least 24 hours or longer.
- Always wear protective goggles when handling the wood after it has been soaked in the chemical solution.
- Without proper drying, the wood will be difficult to ignite when placed in the fire.
Burn the treated wood in the fire. Start a campfire or ignite the fire in your fireplace. Once the fire is burning steadily and the flames have calmed, throw the chemically treated wood into the fire. Colorful flames should appear within a few minutes.
- If burning in an indoor fireplace or tent, ensure the chimney, vents, and smoke valves are working properly for adequate ventilation.
Tips
- Some types of wood will naturally produce colored flames without the need for chemicals. Driftwood found along the coast often creates purple and blue flames. Applewood, when stored for at least 4 years, can produce multi-colored flames.
- Always use safety gear like goggles and gloves when creating colored flames.
Warning
- Handle chemicals carefully following the instructions on the packaging. Even substances that seem harmless, such as sodium chloride, can irritate the skin or cause burns if used in large quantities.
- Store hazardous chemicals in tightly sealed containers made of glass or plastic. Keep them away from children and pets.
- If you're using chemicals and a heater, make sure the heater is well-ventilated to prevent the chemical fumes from accumulating indoors.
- Fire is not a toy and should never be treated as such. It's well-known how dangerous fire can be and how quickly it can get out of control. Always keep a fire extinguisher or a large amount of water nearby.
Items You Will Need
- Chemicals
- Wax or paraffin
- Coffee canister
- Pan
- Water
- Paper muffin or cupcake baking molds
- Wood, pinecones, newspaper
- Glass or plastic containers
- Safety goggles
- Gloves
- Mask or gas mask
- Apron or protective coat for working with chemicals and wax
- Mesh bags
- Bricks or stones
