2 Easy Ways to Make Green Flames at Home

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Explore the chemistry that causes regular fires to burn green

Co-authored by Chris Hasegawa, PhD and Devin McSween

Last Updated: May 20, 2024 Fact Checked

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Making Green Flames with Boric Acid

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Making Green Flames with Copper Sulfate

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Which chemicals make fire green?

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Safety

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Green Fire Temperature

Fires typically produce yellow and orange flames, but by adding different chemicals, you can turn the flames into an otherworldly shade of green. If you want to make green fire, simply mix household products that contain copper and boron, like boric acid, Borax, and copper sulfate, with methanol. Read on to learn exactly how to create green flames, what causes fire to burn green, and whether green flames are safe.

Making Green Fire

Mix a spoonful of boric acid, Borax, or copper sulfate with a spoonful of methanol in a ceramic or steel bowl. Then, use a lighter or match to ignite the methanol and create green flames. When the elements copper or boron are present in a fire, they turn the flames green.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Make Green Flames with Boric Acid

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1
Add 1 spoonful of boric acid to a fire-safe bowl. Boric acid is a powder that’s commonly used as a pesticide. ^{[1]
X
Research source} When it reacts with fire, it turns the flames green. Simply pour some boric acid into a ceramic, stainless steel, cast iron, or other fire-safe bowl. ^{[2]
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Research source}
- Tip : If you can’t find pure boric acid, use a pesticide that contains boric acid .
- Alternatively, use Borax in place of boric acid. This household cleaner also turns flames green.
2
Pour 1 spoonful of methanol into the bowl and mix the ingredients. Methanol is a type of alcohol that acts as the fire’s fuel. Simply add 1 spoonful of methanol into the bowl and mix the fuel and Borax together. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- Tip : If you can’t find pure methanol, use an antifreeze that contains it, like HEET .
- Methanol is commonly used as engine fuel or antifreeze for vehicles. ^{[4]
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  Research source}
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3
Light the fire with a lighter or match. Put on a pair of fire-resistant gloves and safety glasses . Then, hold a lighter or lit match over the bowl to ignite the methanol. Watch as the flames immediately react with the boric acid and turn a brilliant green! ^{[5]
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Research source}
- As the methanol burns away, the flames typically get duller and smaller.
- When you want more green flames, extinguish the fire and add more methanol. Then, ignite the fuel. Boric acid doesn’t burn, so you don’t have to add more.
- Warning : Light the fire outside or in a well-ventilated room. Borax and boric acid can potentially be irritating and lead to coughing when inhaled. ^{[6]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  U.S. National Capital Poison Center
  Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
  Go to source} Burning methanol also produces CO ₂ , which can be harmful in large amounts. ^{[7]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
  Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  Go to source}

Section 2 of 5:

How to Make Green Flames with Copper Sulfate

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Pour 1 spoonful of copper sulfate into a fire-safe dish. Copper sulfate is a blue mineral that’s typically found in root-killers and algae-killers . ^{[8]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Pesticide Information Center
Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
Go to source} It also turns flames green when it reacts with fire. Just add a small amount of copper sulfate to a ceramic, stainless steel, or other fire-safe bowl. ^{[9]
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Research source}
Add 1 spoonful of methanol into the bowl. To fuel the fire, pour methanol into the bowl. Or, use an antifreeze that contains it, like HEET . ^{[10]
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Research source}
3
Ignite the fire with a lighter or match. Wear a pair of fire-resistant gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from the flames. Then, use a lighter or match to ignite the methanol and turn the fire green! ^{[11]
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Research source}
- Extinguish the fire and add more methanol when the flames start to die out. The fire consumes the methanol, but it doesn’t consume the copper sulfate.
- Warning : Light the fire outside or in a well-ventilated room. Copper sulfate can cause eye irritation. ^{[12]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  National Pesticide Information Center
  Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
  Go to source} When methanol burns, it produces CO ₂ , which can be harmful in large amounts. ^{[13]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Food Safety and Inspection Service of the USDA
  Food safety information provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  Go to source}

Section 3 of 5:

Which chemicals make fire green?

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1
Copper If copper items or compounds get in your fire, they will turn the flames green. Your fire might burn green if you use copper cookware, the lumber was secured with copper staples, or you’re burning something dyed with copper. ^{[14]
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Research source}
- The copper in copper sulfate is what makes the flames green.
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Boron Boron is a metallic chemical element that makes fire green. Your fire might turn green if compounds that contain boron get on the lumber you're burning or if they are sprinkled on the fire. ^{[15]
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Research source}
- Both boric acid and Borax contain boron, which is why they make fire green.
3
Pressure-treated wood Pressure-treated wood is typically coated in copper, chromium, and arsenic to help preserve it and protect it from rot, insects, and mold. Because pressure-treated wood usually contains copper, it can produce green flames when it’s burned. ^{[16]
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Research source}
- Warning : Do not burn pressure-treated wood. It is treated with chemicals that can be toxic when burned.
4
Barium Barium is a metallic element that’s commonly used to make electrical parts, drilling muds, and paint. While you’re less likely to come across barium in your daily life, your fire might turn green if you burn something that contains it. ^{[17]
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Research source}
- Barium is commonly used to make green fireworks.

Section 4 of 5:

Is green fire safe?

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Green fire can be unsafe if you inhale it or eat food cooked over it. Burning chemicals like boron, copper, or barium to make green fire can produce gas and smoke that are irritating to your stomach, respiratory system, and eyes. ^{[18]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Pesticide Information Center
Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
Go to source} Cooking food over the flames also exposes it to these chemicals, which makes the food unsafe to consume. ^{[19]
X
Trustworthy Source
U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
Go to source}
- Make green flames outside or in a well-ventilated room to reduce your risk of breathing in the chemicals.

Section 5 of 5:

Green Fire Temperature

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Green flames are typically the same temperature as orange and yellow flames, which run at around 1,000 to 1,400° C (1,800-2,500° F). This is because the green color comes from chemical additives and isn't an indication of heat on its own. White flames are generally the hottest flames, burning at 1,400 to 1,600° C (2,500-2,900° F). ^{[20]
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Research source}

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Tips

Sprinkle Borax, boric acid, or copper sulfate onto your bonfire to make the flames turn green, too.

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Warnings

Always use caution when making a fire. Make green flames away from flammable objects and in a fire-safe area. Keep a fire extinguisher or water nearby in case the fire grows out of control.

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Make green fire outside or in a well-ventilated area and handle boric acid, Borax, and copper sulfate carefully. These chemicals can be irritating if they’re inhaled or touched.

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Wear fire-resistant gloves and safety glasses when making green flames to protect yourself from the flames and chemicals.

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Keep boric acid, Borax, and copper sulfate away from children and pets. ^{[21]
X
Trustworthy Source
U.S. National Capital Poison Center
Independent poison control center providing resources to prevent poisonings and save lives
Go to source} These chemicals can be poisonous when ingested. ^{[22]
X
Trustworthy Source
National Pesticide Information Center
Organization run by Oregon State University providing objective, science-based information about pests and pesticides
Go to source}

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2 Easy Ways to Make Green Flames at Home

Making Green Fire

Steps

How to Make Green Flames with Boric Acid

How to Make Green Flames with Copper Sulfate

Which chemicals make fire green?

Is green fire safe?

Green Fire Temperature

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

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