Thursday, October 12, 2006

Don't try this at home

Well, okay, you can do it, but make sure you're outside- and light it at night.

You need
-an empty plastic large water bottle (like you use in the water dispensers), 5 gallons at least.
Yes, it must be plastic
-15 ml of rubbing alcohol. Too much more than that and it won't work. This is about 3-4 capfuls.
-a temporary lid for the bottle
- a yard stick/ meter stick/ long stick
-a dry popsicle stick, or a long match

1. Pour the alcohol into the bottle. Twirl and swirl to coat the inside of the bottle. This will help it evaporate quickly.
2. Put the lid on it and let it sit for 10 minutes to let the alcohol really evaporate.
3. In the mean time, tape the popsicle stick so that it hangs at a 45 to 90 degree angle or so from the end of the yard/meter/long stick.
4. Go someplace where there is no overhang. This looks really awesome at night.
5. Light the hanging end of the little stick.
6. Take the lid off the bottle.
7. Stay back at arms length, carefully put the lit end into the plastic bottle and WATCH!

Sometimes you can get a second one to go off. If you want to "reset" the bottle and do it again- wait to let it cool for a few minutes. Pour out the water at the bottom of the bottle. Yes, it's water. Pour 10-15 ml of alcohol in, swish, sit, light, repeat.

Bear in mind- this happens kinda fast and comes out of the bottle. Stay back, stay back, stay back. Have proper fire retardant available.

You will be tempted to add more alcohol to the bottle than what is stated here. Do that, and you WONT acheive the right balance.

I want pictures.

Remember the number one fire safety rule- Fire Hot, Burn Skin.

Here's your homework- where'd the water come from when it was done?

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