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This instructable describes how to make a torch, and also how to breathe fire. All the materials needed should cost under 20$. Its also safer then you might imagine for a few reasons, the first is that kerosene (The liquid used to breathe fire) has a high flash point, meaning its not an extremely flammable liquid, I have put matches out in cups of kerosene. It ignites because you make it into a mist (aspirating) when you spray it from your mouth. Another reason is as long as there is sufficient pressure the flames will stay a safe distance from your face.
With that being said it is still a dangerous project and should only be attempted if you consider yourself responsible enough to follow the directions exactly. I have confidence that as long as you follow my directions you will not be burned, so thats my disclaimer if you dont follow the rules don't blame me.
Now with all the boring stuff aside, get ready to impress your friends and family at your next summer bbq. It never gets old hearing people say how crazy you are.


 
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Step 1: Parts List

This parts list contains all the materials needed to make 2 torches and the things used to breathe fire.

Parts:

1. Kerosene a.k.a. paraffin oil, make sure it is high quality with nothing added. (I bought mine in this big jug at sears hardware for about 6$)
2. 4' long 1" diameter wooden dowel or (2) 2' long metal pipes with similar or smaller diameter (Note: If using the metal pipes the following materials are not necessary: aluminum foil, nails, hammer, saw, or tin can)
3. Aluminum foil
4. Hammer with 5 or 6 nails about an inch long
5. Metal can of some kind( A soup can works, but a coffee can is better because it is longer and will protect the dowel better
6. Kevlar wick about 2" wide (Can be bought on e-bay for a few dollars a foot, just search for "kevlar fire poi"). You will need about 2-3 feet per torch, I have also heard that cloth belts can be used instead of the kevlar, but I have never tried this method.
7. Plastic water bottle
8. Small funnel
9. Tin snips or heavy duty scissors capable of cutting a coffee can
10. A wood saw
11. Ruler
12. A wet towel, bucket of water, and fire extinguisher are also a good idea (not just one but all three)
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ilpug says: Sep 1, 2011. 6:47 PM
Well, this is a great way to die. If you are careful, take it slow, follow all precaution,s and USE PARAFFIN INSTEAD OF KEROSENE you might not die. i know someone who died from this, when he accidentally inhaled and blew his lungs up.
AJMansfield in reply to ilpugFeb 17, 2013. 2:03 PM
Paraffin=kerosene
ajmontag says: Apr 17, 2008. 9:42 PM
i use heavy duty aluminum foil. more manipulative, and easier to use and remove.
kgoll in reply to ajmontagNov 20, 2012. 9:25 AM
Would aluminum tape work?
ajmontag in reply to kgollNov 20, 2012. 11:17 AM
Probably. However, the foil gets charred, and its nice to remove it after each use to use new foil. You may not be able to remove the tape. Also the adhesive may melt.
boognishmofo says: Apr 4, 2010. 9:57 AM
PARAFFIN, PARAFFIN,PARAFFIN,   DO NOT USE KEROSENE,   DO NOT USE GASOLINE,  DO NOT USE ALCOHOL,   USE PARAFFIN, PARAFFIN PARAFfIN
Im not usually one to talk about irresponsibility
parafin can be found at any walmart or hardware store.  it is called lamp oil and is used for tiki torches.  Paraffin is used for its low flash point, and it is for the most part odorless and not terrible tasting, you really want to stay away from anything else.  And Jesus, please read all the precautions first.  Practice with water first, it sounds dumb but DO IT.  The most important factor is when you blow the flame and then close your mouth when you reopen your mouth you need to blow out again incase the fire has been trapped in your mouth waiting for oxygen.  If you were to inhale, the flame would fill your lungs and we can only hope after that.  Try not to wear any synthetic material when attempting, I have seen peoples clothing melt onto their body. Just as you would not piss into the wind, do not blow into the wind. And always have a towel that has been soaked in water and wipe your face in between blows, the liquid likes to dribble down your chin, and a little goes a long way.  Start off small,  do not rush it,  you dont need a whole mouth full.  If you really must breathe fire, research it first. There is plenty of info on Wiki and other sites that will give you correct info and they all agree.   USE PARAFFIN.  lord Im getting old



lucylou854 in reply to boognishmofoAug 23, 2012. 7:03 PM
Your advice is better but why not be safe and not try it at all. People that try this could end up being visited at a funeral home with the lid closed due to being burnt beyond recognition. Ouch!
damasta in reply to boognishmofoJun 18, 2010. 3:51 PM
isn't paraffin just the british word for kerosine? (wikipedia: Kerosene, sometimes spelled kerosine in scientific and industrial usage,[1] also known as paraffin in UK and South Africa, is a combustible hydrocarbon liquid) also, kerosine is quite safe when ingested (just some explosive diarrhea, pun intended) while lamp oil usually has some added chemicals to make it burn more beautiful or easier (look at the back, according to wikipedia the flash point for pure paraffin/kerosine is 90 degrees centigrade, while most lamp oils light at 61
=3 in reply to damastaJul 29, 2010. 8:15 PM
All in all, to be safer, just fill your mouth with some corn starch. Use the same fire type thing and blow. :P
kujoton in reply to =3Nov 1, 2010. 1:35 PM
DO NOT use cornstarch under any circumstances, as a fine powder it's far too easy inhale which, when making contact with the flame, puts you in a far too vulnerable position. I would put kerosene/paraffin liquid before cornstarch as far as saftey is concerned. Easy to manipulate, low flash point and only ignites when aspirating (in mist form).
=3 in reply to kujotonNov 1, 2010. 2:09 PM
But if you swallow kerosene/paraffin, isn't that poisonous?
damasta in reply to =3Nov 1, 2010. 2:44 PM
Yes, it is poisonous, but if you swallow a little bit (let's just say the amount you use for breathing one flame) all you get is diarrhea for a couple of days, sure, it's annoying, but it's better then dying

posted from experience
=3 in reply to damastaNov 1, 2010. 6:05 PM
Wait, if you died from using corn starch, then how are you commenting?
damasta in reply to =3Nov 1, 2010. 6:08 PM
I didn't say anything about cornstarch, I was talking about what happens if you swallow paraffin. It's poisonous, but with small amounts you don' t die

the experience was about the diarrhea (which is so bad you want to kill yourself anyway)
=3 in reply to damastaNov 1, 2010. 7:07 PM
Oh, I see, well thanks for the insight, if I ever have to fire breathe, I know who to discuss with.
_-MacGyver-_ in reply to =3Nov 24, 2010. 8:58 AM
even safer...
use flour

TRUST MEH IT WORKS.. DOnt belive me? try it
spazmanx11 in reply to =3Sep 26, 2010. 3:58 PM
I have been doing that too. it's not as big but it still works for me!
spazmanx11 in reply to boognishmofoMay 11, 2010. 7:38 PM
paraffin is wax, correct? wouldn't it cool in your mouth and harden?
M4industries in reply to spazmanx11Oct 16, 2010. 4:00 PM
You are right. Paraffin is indeed wax. He was referring to paraffin oil, which is kerosene.
LiquidLightning in reply to spazmanx11Sep 26, 2010. 1:32 PM
Not this parrafin.
hippieofvenus says: Mar 17, 2007. 9:41 PM
kerosene and paraffin are completely different well sort of......Paraffin just means it is a fuel that has an oily composition and kerosene is a carcinogen and If you don't know what that means it means it causes cancer. Kero comes from petroleum that has been highly refined but Lamp Oil doesn't......you are going to get someone hurt and that would be grounds for suing because you didn't state a waver from responsibility and if you decide to put one up it won't matter because It hasn't always been up therefore they can still sue so you should take this article down.
mowie in reply to hippieofvenusJan 21, 2009. 6:40 AM
but everything causes cancer these days
Kataze in reply to mowieMay 5, 2009. 9:51 PM
only in the state of California.
mowie in reply to KatazeMay 22, 2009. 6:04 AM
haha i got a butane torch a few weeks ago and it says on it something about it causing cancer in California
badideasrus in reply to mowieDec 28, 2010. 12:30 PM
so does California have a high death rate? and if everything causes cancer there, should i go there to get cancer removed? since the doctors would have so much practice.....
Kataze in reply to badideasrusDec 28, 2010. 5:25 PM
But while you're there, your cancer will get cancer. You'll need to be on one side of the state line and have them operate from the other.
badideasrus in reply to KatazeFeb 11, 2011. 1:31 PM
but wouldn't that still exspose the cancer to the cancer? could we just kill of the cancer with cancer while we stay safely on the other side?
MorNuN in reply to badideasrusMay 20, 2012. 10:46 PM
I heard you like cancer so we put cancer in your cancer so you can die while you die.

seriously, use paraffin.
mechaninja in reply to MorNuNJul 22, 2012. 9:36 AM
C-C-C-COMBO BREAKER!!!
dragonsniper in reply to badideasrusJul 5, 2011. 1:37 PM
lol
Vladamier says: Jun 13, 2012. 4:46 PM
Seeing "how to's" like this just breaks my heart.

I was performing at a graduation party about a week ago and, as always, I gave my little disclaimer about not trusting online instructions. After the show, someone came up from the audience and told me that he was going to learn online, and I could not stop him. *eyeroll*

Seriously, guys, there's nothing wrong with wanting to do this, but find a real teacher. The real people (like me) who do this train for years. Sure, you might be able to do it without getting burned, but when a single teeny tiny mistake can burn your lungs and make you suffocate to death, do you really want to chance it?
punkhead58 says: Nov 1, 2011. 5:00 PM
Kerosene? Whatever happened to good ole white flour? It's non-toxic!
badideasrus in reply to punkhead58May 21, 2012. 2:10 PM
i would assume its the 'if you inhale with this in your mouth you'll suffocate' argument....
cool2000 says: Oct 27, 2011. 6:20 PM
can you use peanut oil? (acts just like Diesel)
LaBeasy says: Aug 12, 2011. 12:48 PM
Instead of using kerosene, can you use some sort of alcohol?
372jpeg says: Mar 10, 2011. 1:24 PM
This might sound kind of wimpy but I don't think Paraffin Oil tastes very good so what if you filled a water balloon with paraffin and put it in your mouth clenched the tip shut with your teeth and then opened your mouth and the balloon would propel the oil out and maybe igniting.
teawrecks says: Dec 16, 2008. 8:50 PM
Just don't be stupid and use camping fuel like me... ouch lol
DSC02937.JPGDSC02938.JPG
babanajoe in reply to teawrecksFeb 18, 2011. 7:31 PM
WOW
Does it hurt?
Careful with the wind!!
lvrofdragons in reply to teawrecksJan 12, 2009. 7:36 AM
I used white camp fuel and i almost burnt myself too. luckily for me, i walked away unburned.
babanajoe in reply to lvrofdragonsFeb 18, 2011. 7:31 PM
You're so lucky
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