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.
Steps
How to Make Green Flames with Boric Acid
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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] X 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.
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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] X Research sourceAdvertisement
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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] X 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
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] X Research source
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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] X 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
Expert Q&A
Tips
- Sprinkle Borax, boric acid, or copper sulfate onto your bonfire to make the flames turn green, too.Thanks
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.Thanks
- 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.Thanks
- Wear fire-resistant gloves and safety glasses when making green flames to protect yourself from the flames and chemicals.Thanks
- 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 sourceThanks
References
- ↑ https://www3.epa.gov/pesticides/chem_search/reg_actions/reregistration/fs_PC-011001_1-Sep-93.pdf
- ↑ https://youtu.be/p2XIMKX3ktg?si=OIOxJlpu9GE4Mked&t=285
- ↑ https://youtu.be/B-fC-lZUa4M?si=ezVC7HRWsfXzwkcG&t=32
- ↑ https://afdc.energy.gov/fuels/emerging-methanol
- ↑ https://youtu.be/B-fC-lZUa4M?si=P3MKLg_GcOoZOnoU&t=54
- ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/borates
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-08/Carbon-Dioxide.pdf
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cuso4gen.html
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-GL_RGyoXPE?si=uHYLeaLALqDpzlNH&t=28
- ↑ https://youtu.be/-GL_RGyoXPE?si=o8j1jBd2duH5LnHT&t=37
- ↑ https://youtu.be/Axb9LJEtB8o?si=jV4YofHavBZwtRqa&t=77
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cuso4gen.html
- ↑ https://www.fsis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media_file/2020-08/Carbon-Dioxide.pdf
- ↑ http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/Chemical/flame.html
- ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-colored-fire/
- ↑ https://iwaste.epa.gov/guidance/natural-disaster/fact-sheets/types-of-waste?id=cca-treated-wood
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/science/barium
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cuso4gen.html
- ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/can-borax-treat-inflammation
- ↑ https://pslc.ws/fire/howwhy/flameco.htm
- ↑ https://www.poison.org/articles/borates
- ↑ http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/cuso4gen.html