Explore the chemistry that causes ordinary fires to burn green
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Fires usually produce yellow and orange flames, but by adding different chemicals you can turn the flames into an unearthly green tone. If you want to start a green fire, simply mix household products that contain copper and boron, such as boric acid, borax, and copper sulfate, with methanol. Read on to learn exactly how to create a green flame, what causes a fire to burn green, and whether green flames are safe.
Mix a tablespoon of boric acid, borax, or copper sulfate with a tablespoon of methanol in a ceramic or steel container. Then use a lighter or a match to ignite the methanol and create a green flame. When the elements copper or boron are present in the fire, they turn the flame green.
Add 1 tbsp Boric acid into an ovenproof bowl. Boric acid is a powder commonly used as a pesticide.[1]
When it reacts with fire, the flame turns green. Simply pour some boric acid into a ceramic, stainless steel, cast iron or other fireproof container.[2]- Advice: If you cannot find pure boric acid, use a pesticide that contains boric acid.
- Alternatively, use borax instead of boric acid. This household cleaner also has a green flame.
Pour 1 tbsp methanol in a bowl and mix the ingredients. Methanol is a type of alcohol that serves as fuel for fire. Simply add 1 tablespoon of methanol to a bowl and mix the fuel and borax.[3]
- Advice: If you can’t find pure methanol, use an antifreeze that contains it, like HEET.
- Methanol is commonly used as fuel for engines or antifreeze for vehicles.[4]
Light the fire with a lighter or a match. Put on a pair of fireproof gloves and goggles. Next, hold a lighter or lit match over the container to ignite the methanol. Watch as the flame immediately reacts with the boric acid and turns brilliant green![5]
- As the methanol burns, the flame usually becomes dimmer and smaller.
- When you want more green flame, turn off the heat and add more methanol. Then light the fuel. Boric acid does not burn, so you do not need to add more.
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Warning: Light the fire outside or in a well-ventilated room. Borax and boric acid can potentially be irritating and cause coughing when inhaled.[6]
Burning methanol also produces CO2, which can be harmful in large amounts.[7]
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Pour 1 tbsp copper sulfate in a refractory container. Copper sulfate is a blue mineral commonly found in root and algae killers.[8]
It also turns flame green when it reacts with fire. Just add a small amount of copper sulfate to a ceramic, stainless steel, or other fireproof container.[9] Add 1 tbsp methanol into a bowl. To start the fire, pour methanol into the container. Or use an antifreeze that contains it, like HEET.[10]
Light the fire with a lighter or a match. Wear a pair of fireproof gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from the flames. Then light the methanol with a lighter or a match and make the fire green![11]
- Turn off the heat and add more methanol when the flame starts to die down. Fire consumes methanol but not copper sulfate.
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Warning: Light the fire outside or in a well-ventilated room. Copper sulfate can cause eye irritation.[12]
When methanol burns, CO2 is produced, which can be harmful in large quantities.[13]
- Always be careful when building a fire. Light the green flame away from flammable objects and in a fire-safe area. Keep a fire extinguisher or water nearby in case the fire gets out of control. Thanks Helpful 0 Not helpful 0
- Light the fire outside or in a well-ventilated area and handle boric acid, borax, and copper sulfate with care. These chemicals can be irritating if inhaled or touched. Thanks Helpful 0 Not helpful 0
- Wear flame-resistant gloves and goggles when lighting a green flame to protect yourself from the flames and chemicals. Thanks Helpful 0 Not helpful 0
- Keep boric acid, borax and copper sulfate away from children and pets.[21]
These chemicals can be toxic if swallowed.[22]Thanks Helpful 0 Not helpful 0
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Source: HIS Education