PIE-rotechnic Thanksgiving Dessert! (Mega Dangerous)

An innocent looking pumpkin pie erupts an insane fountain of flames and fire!

Step 1: Watch the Video!

WARNING: This project is for demonstrational, educational, and entertainment purposes only.   It is not intended to be duplicated.  This experiment should only be attempted by experienced professionals.  Use of video content is at own risk.

Step 2: Disclaimer

This is a "King of Random" original. 

Walking through the bakery at the grocery store the other day, I took a close look at the pumpkin pies on display.  They made me realize how similar "R-candy" and pumpkin pie are in appearance. 

That got the wheels spinning and spawned this video.

NOTE: This video is for entertainment purposes only, and isn't intended to be duplicated. 

However, having said that, here's how I made it...

Step 3: Composition

The "pie filling" composition is nothing more that a 60%/40% mix by weight of KNO3 and Sugar.

I used a digital scale to measure the ingredients together, then shook them together in a large mixing bowl to ensure uniform composition.

The mixture was cooked on medium heat, while stirring as often as was required, until the mix became light brown in color, and the consistence of pie filling.

The process of making the filling is the exact same as demonstrated in a previous video on how to make smoke flares.

You can see that video here;

Step 4: Setting Up

When the R-candy mix was the right consistency, I first tried pouring it into a small pie crust.

5 minutes later I inserted a fuse for convenience in igniting the mix.  I chose 5 minutes because any sooner, and the fuse will fall over into the mix, and any later, and you run the risk of the composition setting up as firm as hard candy.  Then nothing will go in unless you drill a hole.

Finally, I added whipping cream around the top.  This served two purposes.

1st - It make it look even more like a pie.

2nd - It added a layer of protection from the burning fuse embers.  Without this layer, the pie can ignite prematurely, and at unpredictable spots due to the spray of burning embers.

Step 5: Ignition

You can see in the picture, the pie erupts like a volcano, spewing molten fuel up and out.

The small pies burn violently for about 15-20 seconds, and if you want to see the whole burn from start to finish, check out the video!

Step 6: Go Bigger!

It takes a considerable amount of composition to fill a large pie crust, which means a lot more stored energy waiting to be released!

One Facebook fan said that this is the pie that "burns it's own calories"!  I agree!

Step 7: Slightly Overcooked?

It's worth mentioning that although one of the main ingredients is sugar, the fuel is not edible.  

Remember that this video was for entertainment purposes only, and isn't intended to be duplicated. 

Happy Holidays from Grant Thompson - "The King of Random"

If you liked this project, perhaps you'll like some of my others.  Check them out at www.thekingofrandom.com

Here's the video;