How to Make White Fire (2024)

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How to Make White Fire (1)

You can make fire burn with a pure white flame. White is an elusive fire color because the fuel that supports a flame burns with its own characteristic spectrum. But, with a little chemistry know-how, you can get white fire. Here’s how to do it, along with tips to make the fire last.

White Fire Materials

The easiest way to make white fire uses principles of the flame test in analytical chemistry. How it works is the heat of the flame excites electrons in atoms, raising them to an excited state. When the electrons return to a more stable, lower energy state they release a photon of a color characteristic of that element or ion. Different oxidation states of an element release different colors, so the test is one way to help identify an ion.

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) is an inexpensive, readily available chemical that makes white fire. Epsom salt is sold as a bath salt, foot soak, and soil additive. However, you can’t just toss Epsom salt on a campfire and get a white flame because other elements in the fuel release colors that will overwhelm white fire! You need a fuel that burns nearly invisible or blue to see the white color. Alcohol is the best fuel choice. Of these, methanol gives the best results. Methanol is sold as Heet fuel treatment. Rubbing alcohol, grain alcohol, and alcohol-based hand sanitizer also work as a fuel.

  • Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
  • Alcohol (either methanol, isopropyl alcohol, or ethanol)
  • Heat-safe dish
  • Magic Eraser or melamine foam (optional)

Basically, all you do is stir a small amount of Epsom salt into the fuel and ignite it. For a bright flame that lasts about 45 seconds, break off a small piece of Magic Eraser, saturate it with the alcohol and salt mixture, and ignite it. Turn out the lights to observe the white fire.

Other Ways to Make White Fire

Epsom salt contains the metal magnesium, which burns with a white flame. If you have pure magnesium metal, you can ignite it using a blow torch and get a brilliant white flame. The light is so bright you’ll want protective eyewear. The white magnesium flame burns brighter and longer if the metal is ignited within a bed of dry ice or solid carbon dioxide.

Other elements that burn with a white flame include titanium, nickel, chromium, hafnium, beryllium, aluminum, and cobalt. Of these, the easiest to obtain are flakes or filings of aluminum or titanium.

Chemicals that burn with a white flame and no additional required fuel include isopropyl nitrite, nitromethane, and hexamine. Hexamine is a solid that burns for quite a while after ignition with a match or lighter. You’ll likely need access to a chemistry lab to find these chemicals, although it may be possible to order them online.

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This video shows what the white flames from magnesium metal and various chemicals looks like. It’s got a shaky-cam effect, but clearly displays the brilliance of magnesium:

How Hot is White Fire?

While the spectra of the fuel and any added chemicals influences flame color, so does incandescence. Incandescence is the emission of light as a function of temperature (black-body radiation). From coolest to hottest, incandescent flame colors are red, orange, yellow, and white. Incandenscence begins to become visible as a dark red glow between 500 and 600 °C and reaches a white flame around 1400 to 1600 °C. Blue also occurs sometimes, when there is a low amount of soot. While blue is relatively uncommon in campfires, it often occurs in welding metals.

This chart shows the relationship between flame color and temperature. Keep in mind, the table is only a rough approximation, and varies from one fuel to another.

Flame ColorTemperature
Dark red500 to 600 °C (900 to 1,100 °F)
Dull red600 to 800 °C (1,100 to 1,650 °F)
Bright cherry red800 to 1,000 °C (1,650 to 1,800 °F)
Orange1,000 to 1,200 °C (1,800 to 2,100 °F)
Yellow1,200 to 1,400 °C (2,100 to 2,500 °F)
White1,400 to 1,600 °C (2,500 to 2,900 °F)

In case you’re curious, it’s also possible to make black fire!

Safety Information

As this is a fire science project, adult supervision is required. Always keep children and pets away from flames and chemicals and have a fire extinguisher handy. While Epsom salt in alcohol yields a flame that is easy to extinguish, pure magnesium metal basically burns to completion. Also, wear gloves and avoid skin contact with methanol, if you use it. Read and follow safety information printed on any product labels.

References

  • Hannavy, John (2013). Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography. Routledge. ISBN 978-1135873271.
  • Landis, Arthur M.; Davies, Malonne I.; Landis, Linda; Nicholas c. Thomas (2009). “”Magic Eraser” Flame Tests”. Journal of Chemical Education. 86 (5): 577. doi:10.1021/ed086p577
  • Natural Resources Canada (2003).Pyrotechnics Special Effects Manual(2nd ed.). Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada.
  • Patnaik, Pradyot (2002).Handbook of Inorganic Chemicals. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 0-07-049439-8.
  • Sanger, Michael J.; Phelps, Amy J.; Catherine Banks (2004). “Simple Flame Test Techniques Using Cotton Swabs”. Journal of Chemical Education. 81 (7): 969. doi:10.1021/ed081p969

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How to Make White Fire (2024)

FAQs

How do you make a white fire? ›

Basically, all you do is stir a small amount of Epsom salt into the fuel and ignite it. For a bright flame that lasts about 45 seconds, break off a small piece of Magic Eraser, saturate it with the alcohol and salt mixture, and ignite it. Turn out the lights to observe the white fire.

What can make white fire? ›

White or light gray smoke is usually associated with paper, straw, leaves, or wood. It is formed of pyrolysis products (gasses, liquids, and tars) that condense to form a fog of tiny droplets that bypass the flame.

What chemicals make white fire? ›

Magnesium sulfate: Makes a white flame. Strontium chloride: Makes a red flame. Copper chloride: Makes a blue flame.

What temperature is white fire? ›

Orange flames range from around 1100°C to 1200°C. White flames are hotter, measuring 1300°C to about 1500°C. The brighter the white, the higher the temperature. For blue flames, or flames with a blue base, you can expect the temperature to rise dramatically, hitting roughly 2500°C to 3000°C.

What metal makes white fire? ›

Magnesium is one of the alkaline-earth metals, and is one of the most common elements in the Earth's crust. In its pure form, it is silvery white, and relatively soft. It burns in air with a brilliant white light, and for this reason is often used in flares and fireworks.

What color is pure fire? ›

Near the logs, where most burning is occurring, the fire is white, the hottest color possible for organic material in general, or yellow. Above the yellow region, the color changes to orange, which is cooler, then red, which is cooler still.

What is the easiest fire to make? ›

One of the easiest match-free ways to start a fire is to use flint and steel. Flint and steel kits can be purchased relatively inexpensively and are easy to start a fire with if you have a tinder kit, especially if your tinder kit includes charcloth.

Why is white fire hotter? ›

The colder part of a diffusion (incomplete combustion) flame will be red, transitioning to orange, yellow, and white as the temperature increases as evidenced by changes in the black-body radiation spectrum. For a given flame's region, the closer to white on this scale, the hotter that section of the flame is.

Does white fire exist? ›

When temperatures approach 2,400º F to 2,700º F, flames appear white. You can see these differences for yourself by observing a candle flame or a piece of burning wood. The part of the flame closest to the candle or the wood will usually be white, since the temperature is usually greatest near the fuel source.

Which burns easily to form a white solid? ›

Evidence: When magnesium is placed in a Bunsen burner flame in air it burns with a bright, white flame. The product is a white powdery solid. Explanation: At high temperatures the magnesium atoms in the metal combine with the oxygen atoms in the air. A chemical reaction produces magnesium oxide.

How do you make a white smoke fire? ›

Smoke colors change depending upon the substances that are being burned. To make white smoke, burn hydrogen-rich sources. This will produce a smoke full of steam.

What is the strongest color of fire? ›

Although red usually means hot or danger, in fires it indicates cooler temperatures. While blue represents cooler colors to most, it is the opposite in fires, meaning they are the hottest flames. When all flame colors combine, the color is white-blue which is the hottest.

What is the coldest fire color? ›

The coldest flame color will be black since the flame is so weak that it barely produces light. blue flame A blue flame is the hottest one of all, ranging from 1400-1650 Celsius (2600-3000 Fahrenheit). It may be the darkest color, Because of orange & Yellow.

What is the color code for white fire? ›

The RGB values for Dulux 012 White Fire are 249, 242, 219 and the HEX code is #F9F2DB.

Does black fire exist? ›

This is black fire. When you mix a sodium street light or low-pressure sodium lamp with a flame, you'll see a dark flame thanks to the sodium and some excited electrons. “It's strange to think of a flame as dark because as we know flames give out light, but the sodium is absorbing the light from the lamp.

What color does isopropyl alcohol burn? ›

Isopropyl alcohol naturally burns blue, but it's easy to change the hue of a flame.

Which element is white flammable? ›

White phosphorus is extremely flammable. Phosphorus will spontaneously ignite if exposed to air. Phosphorus ignites at approximately 86°F (30°C) in air; the ignition temperature is higher when the air is dry.

What is in Rainbow fire? ›

Each Rainbow Fire kit contains:
  • 2 Solid fuel tablets.
  • 2 Pairs disposable gloves.
  • 1 Chemical safety goggles.
  • 1 Sodium chloride, 30 grams.
  • 1 Boric acid, 30 grams.
  • 1 Strontium chloride, 30 grams.
  • 1 Copper sulfate, 30 grams.
  • 12 Bamboo skewers.

Does Epsom salt change the color of fire? ›

When Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) burns, it creates a white flame. Because Epsom salt is relatively inexpensive and readily available, you can easily create your own fire color change packets.

What is the coldest color? ›

Think of the color wheel as a clock where every hour marks a new color family. Absolutely warm and cool colors can be found at 0 (red – the warmest color) and 180 (cyan – the coolest color) degrees.

What color is oxygen fire? ›

When you do have sufficient oxygen, the gas flame appears blue because complete combustion creates enough energy to excite and ionize the gas molecules in the flame.

What colors can fire be naturally? ›

The natural colors of flames flow from red through orange, yellow and white to blue. This is the expected range of colors but what if you want something unexpected? I remember logs and pine cones that burned different colors because they were soaked in certain chemicals.

What material fire Cannot burn? ›

Most synthetic fabrics, such as nylon, acrylic or polyester resist ignition.

What fire has no smoke? ›

In complete combustion, the burning fuel will produce only water and carbon dioxide (no smoke or other products). The flame is typically blue. In complete combustion, the burning fuel will produce only water and carbon dioxide (no smoke or other products). The flame is typically blue.

Is there a fire that doesn't burn? ›

Nitrocellulose: a fire with no burns.

Does blue fire exist? ›

Blue lava, also known as Api Biru, and simply referred to as blue fire or sulfur fire, is a phenomenon that occurs when sulfur burns. It is an electric-blue flame that has the illusory appearance of lava.

Is Purple fire real? ›

Purple flames come from metal salts, such as potassium and rubidium. It's easy to make purple fire using common household ingredients. Purple is unusual because it's not a color of the spectrum. Purple and magenta result from a mixture of blue light and red light.

What burns blue in a fire? ›

For example, copper produces a blue flame, lithium and strontium a red flame, calcium an orange flame, sodium a yellow flame, and barium a green flame. This picture illustrates the distinctive colors produced by burning particular elements.

How strong is white fire? ›

With an Indica-dominant makeup, flavorful terpenes, and exceptional THC content that can hover around 22 percent or more, White Fire OG deserves all the props.

What burns purple? ›

Potassium: Purple

Potassium salts produce a characteristic purple or violet color in a flame.

What is flames in love? ›

The acronym FLAMES stands for Friends, Lovers, Affectionate, Marriage, Enemies, and Siblings.

Is a white burn bad? ›

Full-thickness burns (also called third-degree burns) cause damage to all layers of the skin. The burned skin looks white or charred. These burns may cause little or no pain if nerves are damaged.

When fire is blue? ›

You get a blue gas flame with a hydrocarbon gas when you have enough oxygen for complete combustion. When you do have sufficient oxygen, the gas flame appears blue because complete combustion creates enough energy to excite and ionize the gas molecules in the flame.

Is a white burn serious? ›

Third-degree burns destroy the epidermis and dermis. Third-degree burns may also damage the underlying bones, muscles, and tendons. The burn site appears white or charred. There is no sensation in the area since the nerve endings are destroyed.

What burns thick white smoke? ›

Both wood and charcoal will emit white smoke when first ignited; as the fire gets hotter, white smoke gives way to a dark grey smoke which, if given ample oxygen to feed on, then becomes hallowed blue smoke.

Is white smoke bad fire? ›

White smoke can often mean material is off-gassing moisture and water vapor, meaning the fire is just starting to consume material. White smoke can also indicate light and flashy fuels such as grass or twigs. Thick, black smoke indicates heavy fuels that are not being fully consumed.

What color is fire danger? ›

Extreme Fire Danger – color code is red

and burn intensely.

What is the hottest fire in the world? ›

Fun Fact: Hottest and Coolest Flames

The hottest flame ever produced was at 4990° Celsius. This fire was formed using dicyanoacetylene as fuel and ozone as the oxidizer. Cool fire may also be made. For example, a flame around 120° Celsius may be formed using a regulated air-fuel mixture.

Is Purple fire strong? ›

Capabilities. The user can create, shape and manipulate purple flames (burning at 1,650°C or 3,002 °F). This type of flame is far hotter then blue fire, making it possible to incinerate opponents easily without a problem.

What is the coldest fire? ›

The lowest recorded cool flame temperatures are between 200 and 300°C; the Wikipedia page references n-butyl acetate as 225°C. You can read a lot more about cool flames on that page.

What is a huge fire called? ›

A conflagration isn't just a few flames; it's an especially large and destructive fire that causes devastation. That tiny campfire that somehow turned into a raging forest inferno? You could call that intense, uncontrolled blaze a conflagration.

How many colors can a fire have? ›

Generally, the color of a flame may be red, orange, blue, yellow, or white, and is dominated by blackbody radiation from soot and steam.

What color is this FF0000? ›

#FF0000 means FF worth of Red, and no Green or Blue. The result is RED.

What is the 3 code for white color? ›

The color white, for example, is made by mixing each of the three primary colors at their full intensity, resulting in the Hex color code of #FFFFFF.

What is the darkest white color code? ›

#E1D9D1 (Dark White) HTML Color Code.

What is a fire white? ›

When temperatures approach 2,400º F to 2,700º F, flames appear white. You can see these differences for yourself by observing a candle flame or a piece of burning wood. The part of the flame closest to the candle or the wood will usually be white, since the temperature is usually greatest near the fuel source.

What causes white smoke? ›

White smoke usually means coolant is getting into the combustion chambers of your vehicle. This generally happens because of a cracked or leaking head gasket, which allows coolant to seep into your cylinders.

Is White Smoke bad for you? ›

☁️ Impact of white smoke on health

White smoke, on the other hand, present a longer-term danger. Contrary to what one might think, white smoke from forest fires can be much more insidious. It contains many more particulate matter that may be composed of carbon, sulphur, nitrogen, heavy metals or organic chemicals.

What is the hottest flame color? ›

Although red usually means hot or danger, in fires it indicates cooler temperatures. While blue represents cooler colors to most, it is the opposite in fires, meaning they are the hottest flames. When all flame colors combine, the color is white-blue which is the hottest.

Can you make rainbow fire? ›

A demonstration called the “flame rainbow.” Teachers start by placing a set of bowls containing metal salts across a table top. They soak each salt in methanol — a toxic, flammable alcohol — and then light it on fire. When done properly, each salt forms a lovely blazing flame in a different color.

How hot is purple fire? ›

Violet: 39400 °C (71000 °F)

What is the hottest fire? ›

The hottest flame ever produced was at 4990° Celsius. This fire was formed using dicyanoacetylene as fuel and ozone as the oxidizer. Cool fire may also be made. For example, a flame around 120° Celsius may be formed using a regulated air-fuel mixture.

Can fire have a shadow? ›

Fires can have shadows because they contain hot air and soot, and not because they contain light.

Is purple fire the hottest? ›

Thus the colors of light with the highest frequency will have the hottest temperature. From the visible spectrum, we know violet would glow the hottest, and blue glows less hot. As this is true for all forms of light, its application is seen in fire, or when an object is heated up.

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