Thread: fire/fuel to use in act

general dumb fire question

if one were to do a fire eating act or just have some flaming tongs to wave around in a wonderfully dramatic manner
what sort of flammable liquids oyou reccomend
I have been told to use
basic alcohol (like from the pharmacy) but that it can burn out rather quickly

what about lighter fluid? but my concern is that stuff seems to 'whoosh up' and freaks me out a bit.

could I mix the two?

other suggestions?

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Paraffin is the usual fuel for fire breathers et al - it has a relatively high flashpoint, burns fairly cool (about 90 degrees) and gives a very impressive big yellow flame. Alcohols are probably best avoided as they can ignite explosively - not a nice idea if you are fire-breathing - and they burn with a very pale blue flame which may not be seen.

OK I admit it - I did chemistry!

i use lighter fluid ( like for zipo lighters ) i find that parraffin sometimes doesn't light fast enough .

definately dont use alcahol !!!

x x x

Different fuels also seem to ignite at different rates producing different types of flames and different speeds at which they blow back...

You should go and see Lady Ane Angel... In one act she uses about 3/4 different types including lighter fuel, paraffin and absinthe.


Vicky xxx

I always got told to use paraffin for my fans and poi

Originally Posted by dollz

general dumb fire question

if one were to do a fire eating act or just have some flaming tongs to wave around in a wonderfully dramatic manner
what sort of flammable liquids oyou reccomend
I have been told to use
basic alcohol (like from the pharmacy) but that it can burn out rather quickly

what about lighter fluid? but my concern is that stuff seems to 'whoosh up' and freaks me out a bit.

could I mix the two?

other suggestions?

B.T.W. when you talk about lighter fuel do you mean the stuff for Zippos or the stuff that you get for for bog standard lighters? The former is naptha based and has a fair proportion of paraffin in it (with some other aromatics and hydrocarbon gubbins) and you should be fine with that though I would have thought it's a bit expensive when you can buy paraffin from hardware stores by the gallon. However then more usual stuff sold as lighter fuel is liquid butane which is extremely volatile and should most certainly not be used!

wow ! these are great responses- thank you .you are certainly answering some details.
yes when I meant lighter fluid I mean by the 'zippo' lighter variety at least that is what I am assuming to use .I had learnt a very quick fire eating session and that is what I seem to vaguely recall being used.

now- for just waving some sort of torches or tongs around
what sort of flammable liquid do you reccomend

Whisky is good....tee hee. Only messing use parafin.

hah yeah whiskey is too good to waste on a fire act...

Unless it was quite dark, it would be hard to see the flame from whiskey. Besides, it burns HOT!
Pure kerosene is best. Paraffin oil (like the pink and blue stuff you get for oil heaters) is kerosene but contains low levels of toxins. Best form of non-toxic kerosene (if you can get it) is jet-A1.
If you know someone with a Learjet (or have one yourself) then just drain some out of the tanks