How to Make Colored Fire

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Most fireplace fires or campfires produce yellow and orange flames because firewood contains salts. By adding other chemicals, you can change the color of the flames to suit a special occasion or just to be entertained by the changing color patterns. You can create a colored fire by sprinkling chemicals in the flames, making wax cakes containing chemicals, or by soaking wood in a water and chemical solution. While making colored flames can be a lot of fun, always exercise caution when working with fire and chemical substances.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Choosing the Chemicals

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  1. While you can change the flames' color to a variety of shades, it's important to identify which you are most interested in so you know the right chemicals to use. You can change the fire's color to blue, turquoise, red, pink, green, orange, purple, yellow, or white. [1]
  2. To color the flames in your desired shade(s), you must choose the appropriate chemical(s). You should use them in powdered form, and don't substitute chlorates, nitrates, or permanganates, which produce harmful byproducts when they're burned. [2]
    • To create blue flames, use copper chloride or calcium chloride.
    • To create turquoise flames, use copper sulfate.
    • To create red flames, use strontium chloride
    • To create pink flames, use lithium chloride.
    • To create light green flames, use borax.
    • To create green flames, use alum.
    • To create orange flames, use sodium chloride.
    • To create purple flames, use potassium chloride.
    • To create yellow flames, use sodium carbonate.
    • To create white flames, use magnesium sulfate.
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  3. Some of the fire-coloring chemicals are common ingredients in household products, so you can find them in grocery, hardware, or garden supply stores. You can buy other chemicals at chemical supply stores, fireplace shops, fireworks suppliers, or from online stores. [3]
    • Copper sulfate is used as a tree root killer for plumbers, so you can find it at most hardware or home improvement stores.
    • Sodium chloride is table salt, so you can purchase it at any grocery store.
    • Potassium chloride is used as a water softener salt, so you can purchase it at many hardware stores.
    • Borax is often used to wash clothing, so you can find it in the laundry section of most grocery stores.
    • Magnesium sulfate is found in epsom salts, so you can purchase it at most drugstores and pharmacies.
    • Copper chloride, calcium chloride, strontium chloride, lithium chloride, sodium carbonate, and alum must be purchased from chemical supply stores, fireplace shops, fireworks suppliers, or online retailers.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Wax Cakes

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  1. Place a heatproof bowl over a pot of water that's simmering on medium on the stove. Add several pieces of paraffin wax and allow them to heat until they're completely melted. [4]
    • You can use blocks of canning wax from the grocery store or stubs from old candles for the wax.
    • Don't melt the wax over an open flame or near any open flames or you may start a fire.
    • Do not heat the container with the paraffin directly with a heat source, this can cause the paraffin to spontaneously ignite or explode! Using a double boiler keeps the temperature at a safe level. [5]
  2. Once the wax is fully melted, remove it from the double boiler. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 g) of the chemical, and mix well until it is fully incorporated into the wax. [6]
    • If you don't want to mix the chemicals directly into the wax, you can instead fold them into a used dryer sheet, and place the resulting bundle in the bottom of the container you plan to pour the wax into.
  3. After you've mixed the chemical into the wax, let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes. While it is still liquid, pour it into paper cupcake wrappers to form the cakes. [7]
    • You can also use small paper cups or cardboard egg cartons to form the wax cakes.
  4. Once the paraffin wax is in the paper cupcake wrappers, let them sit out until the wax solidifies again. It should only take about an hour for them to fully set. [8]
  5. Add a wax cake to a burning fire . When the wax cakes are set, peel one out of its paper wrapper. Throw it onto the hottest part of a burning fire, and as the wax melts, the flames will change color. [9]
    • You can add more than one wax cake with different chemicals to the fire at a time, but toss them on different parts of the fire.
    • The wax cakes work well in a campfire or a fireplace.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Sprinkling Chemicals on a Fire

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  1. Build a campfire. Sprinkling the chemicals directly on the fire typically works best on campfires. Allow your fire to burn until there is a bed of red embers beneath it and the flames have died down a bit. [10]
    • For the best results, the flames should be approximately 1 foot (30 cm) high.
  2. Start with just a pinch to test the chemical and ensure that no adverse reactions occur. Be sure to stand back a bit as you add the powder to the fire to protect yourself. [11]
    • Sprinkle the chemical on the edge of the fire rather than just tossing it into the middle. This will decrease the chance of a large and dangerous flare-up.
    • Wear safety glasses and fire-resistant gloves when you add the chemicals to the fire.
    • The smoke produced by many of these chemicals can be a serious irritant, especially for people with breathing problems. Wear a protective breathing mask while adding chemicals to the fire, and be mindful of which way the smoke is going.
  3. The first sprinkle of the chemical will likely not change the flames' color, so you should keep adding more until you notice a change. In many cases, it can take up to a minute for the color change to be visible. [12]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Soaking Wood in Chemicals

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  1. Wood items like chips, scraps of lumber, pine cones, and kindling are all good options. You can also use rolled-up newspapers. [13]
  2. Mix 1 pound (454 g) of your chosen chemical per every gallon (3.78 liter) of water in a plastic container. Stir well to help the powder dissolve more quickly. For the best results, use a single chemical per container of water. [14]
    • You can use a glass container, but avoid metal containers, which may react with the chemicals. Take care not to drop or break any glass containers in your campsite or near the firepit or fireplace.
    • Be sure to wear safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a protective mask or respirator when mixing the chemical solution.
    • It's best to mix the chemical solution outdoors because some of the chemicals may stain your work area or create hazardous fumes.
  3. Pour your chemical solution into a large container, such as an old ice cooler or plastic storage tub. Place the wood materials in a mesh bag (such as an onion or potato bag) before submerging them in the solution. Weigh the bag down with a brick or other heavy object, and allow the wood to soak for 24 hours. [15]
  4. Lift the bag out of the chemical solution, allowing it to drain for a moment over the container. Next, dump the wood pieces onto a sheet of newspaper or hang them up in a dry, breezy location, and allow them to dry for another 24 hours or more. [16]
    • Be sure to wear protective gloves when lifting the wood out of the chemical solution.
    • If you don't allow the wood pieces to dry out, you'll have a hard time getting them to burn in your fire.
  5. Build a campfire or ignite a fire in your fireplace. When the fire has burned down to a low flame, toss the treated materials onto the fire and allow them to burn for several minutes until the colored flames appear. [17]
    • If you are burning the wood in an indoor fireplace or campfire tent, make sure the chimney, flue, and dampers are in good working condition, so that you can get good ventilation.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How much wax or paraffin is used to melt in the coffee can & how many cakes do you end up with this wax / 2 tbsp chemical mixture?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Use enough wax to only fill the coffee can half way at first, then add smaller pieces when the bulk has melted well, but do not fill more than 3/4 of the way full so that the hot wax will not over fill or spill easily when handling the can and pouring the hot wax into the final containers. It is to hard to estimate how many containers of final product you may end up with not knowing the true size of the final containers being used.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 18
  • Question
    Will adding chemicals to a fire damage a stainless steel or galvanized metal chimney pipe?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    It's possible that the chemical smoke could discolor the piping or other surrounding materials such as an RV siding, building exteriors etc.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 26
  • Question
    If I throw the chemicals, would the fire get bigger and possibly burn my hand?
    Community Answer
    No. These chemicals do not spontaneously burst into flames or cause the flames to grow. They merely burn along with the organic material already on fire.
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      Tips

      • Some woods will produce colored flames without chemical enhancement. Driftwood from oceans makes purple and blue fire. If aged at least 4 years, applewood produces multi-colored flames.
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      • Make sure you wear safety gear, such as safety glasses and gloves, when you color the flames.
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      Warnings

      • Fire is not a toy and should never be treated as such. It goes without saying that fire is dangerous and can get out of hand quickly. Always have a fire extinguisher or an ample supply of water nearby.
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      • If adding chemicals to a fireplace, make sure it is well-ventilated first so your house doesn't fill with chemical-laden smoke.
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      • Keep hazardous chemicals stored in airtight containers made of plastic or glass. Don't allow children and pets near these chemicals.
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      • Handle all chemicals carefully according to the package directions. Even seemingly harmless chemicals such as sodium chloride can cause skin irritation or burns in large amounts.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Chemicals
      • Wax or paraffin
      • Coffee can
      • Cooking pan
      • Water
      • Paper wrappers for muffins or cupcakes
      • Wood, pine cones, newspapers
      • Glass or plastic container
      • Safety glasses
      • Rubber gloves
      • Face mask or respirator
      • Apron or smock to protect you while working with chemicals and wax
      • Mesh bag
      • Brick or stone

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      References

      1. ↑ http://sciencing.com/change-color-campfire-flame-2186923.html
      2. ↑ https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Inorganic_Chemistry/Supplemental_Modules_and_Websites_(Inorganic_Chemistry)/Descriptive_Chemistry/Elements_Organized_by_Block/1_s-Block_Elements/Group__1%3A_The_Alkali_Metals/2Reactions_of_the_Group_1_Elements/Flame_Tests
      3. ↑ http://www.campfiredude.com/campfire-magic.shtml
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSg7dwmATPc
      5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzYcB9D8Nt4
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSg7dwmATPc
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSg7dwmATPc
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSg7dwmATPc
      9. ↑ http://www.campfiredude.com/campfire-magic.shtml
      1. ↑ http://sciencing.com/change-color-campfire-flame-2186923.html
      2. ↑ http://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2007-11/how-make-colored-fire
      3. ↑ http://sciencing.com/change-color-campfire-flame-2186923.html
      4. ↑ https://www.sciencecompany.com/Creating-Flame-Colors.aspx
      5. ↑ https://www.sciencecompany.com/Creating-Flame-Colors.aspx
      6. ↑ https://www.sciencecompany.com/Creating-Flame-Colors.aspx
      7. ↑ https://www.sciencecompany.com/Creating-Flame-Colors.aspx
      8. ↑ https://www.sciencecompany.com/Creating-Flame-Colors.aspx

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make a colored fire, wait until your campfire has burnt down until there's a layer of embers under it, then sprinkle your chosen chemical into the fire to change the flames' color. Choose copper chloride if you want to create blue flames or lithium chloride for pink flames. Alternatively, melt paraffin wax before adding 2 tablespoons of your chosen chemical to it. Next, pour the mixture into paper cupcake wrappers. Once the cakes have set, remove one from the paper and throw it into a burning fire. For tips on how to soak wood in chemicals, keep reading!

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