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.
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.
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.
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 you may start a fire.
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.
You can also use small paper cups or cardboard egg cartons to form the wax cakes.
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.
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.
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.
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.
