How to Breathe Fire

If you have ever wondered how to breathe fire then I am about to share the secret with you. Keep in mind this is extremely dangerous and if done wrong you could be seriously injured or die. So with that said...Read On!

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• A bar-b-q fork
• charcoal lighter fluid
• old t-shirt
• fire extinguiser or water hose

1. You will first need to make your torch. I use a long bar-b-q fork for this. Cut off the fork part so that you just have a handle and a long stick of metal. Now take the old t-shirt and cut it into a long strip of fabric about 1/2" to 1" in width. Either cut a notch into the end of the metal or bend it over, this will keep the fabric from coming off the end. Tie a knot at the end of the metal and start wrapping the end with the fabric. Make an oval shaped ball about 1" to 1 1/4" then tie several knots and trim the excess fabric.
   
   Viola ! You now have a fire breathing torch. You could also purchase a juggling fire torch for the same purpose, but why spend more than you need to right? Plus this way your torch flame will be abit smaller while your learning.
2. The art of Spitting. First you will learn with water, it is much safer and it taste better. Grab a bottle or cup and fill it with water. Take a drink of water, but don't swallow it.
   
   *Add a little salt to the water and you will feel it if you end up swallowing a bit of it. Now imagine that that was just lighter fluid that went down your throught. So try not to swallow the water..got it?
   
   The object is to form your lips as if you are going to kiss someone...without the tongue of course. Now blow the water out of your mouth and try and create as fine of a spray that you can. Dribling the water out of your mouth would not be good.
   
   Breathe in through your nose deeply and force the water out as far and as fine as you can. Do this several times until you feel confident that you can create a fine mist of water.
   
   Now attempt to stop in mid spray. And start back up again. Do this until you feel comfortable that you have control over your starting and stoping of your spitting. You will understand why a little later.
3. Spitting Fuel. Alright you can spray a fine mist of water and you have the control to start and stop at will.
   
   There is always a bit of a debate as to what type of fuel to use. Let me first explain my experience. I worked for Ringling Bros. Circus for about 15 years and during one of the years that I was performing I was breathing fire for the show. I spit fire approx. 13-16 times a week and dealt directly with local fire marshals in various cities around North America.
   
   I am not claiming that my way is the only way, I am simply providing you information on the method I used.
   
   The most common fuels that are used tend to be Coleman fuel and lantern oil. These are very good fuels for eating fire as you can transfer flame from torch to tongue and vise versa among other cool little tricks.
   
   However, to spit fire I prefer useing Kinsford lighter fluid, the same stuff used for bar-b-q's. It claims to be oderless and tasteless...trust me it's not. What makes Kingsford a good fuel to use is that it has less alcohol content than the others.
   
   Try this little test. Squirt a quarter size drop of Kingsford onto the concrete and then squirt the same amount of Coleman about two feet away. Move both cans far away...now take a lighter and light the Coleman. You will see it lights instantly. Now do the same with Kingsford...you can actually hold your lighter in the Kingsford without it catching fire. Now which fuel would you prefer on your face next to fire.
   
   When you spit fire the flame will come back to your face and as long as you keep blowing it will stay about an inch away from your lips.
4. Alright the moment of truth...First make sure that the weather is decent...yep I said weather. DO NOT SPIT FIRE when it is windy. Make sure you know which direction the breeze is coming from and do not spit against it. Know your surroundings give yourself a minimum of 15 to 20 feet all the way a round you. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE SOMEONE THERE with you and make sure that they have a fire extingusher or water hose ready to go. Even a water soaked towel would be good to have handy.
   
   Once you have checked the wind, set your sapce and have fire prevention standing by your ready for your first test.
   
   You will take a small drink of of the Kinsford (don't fill you mouth yet) just enough to make a quick spray. Again, DO NOT SWALLOW...
   
   Make sure that your torch is comepletly soaked and then shake of the excess somewhere other than the inside of your garage..maybe the street or yard.
   
   Now light your torch then give it another shake to get rid of any excess fuel.
   
   Hold the torch in front of you about with the flame directly in line with your mouth and about 16" to 18" away from you.
   
   **KEEP IN MIND AS LONG AS YOU ARE SPITTING YOU WILL HAVE FIRE. IF FOR ANY REASON YOU WANT TO STOP QUICKLY, CLOSE YOUR LIPS, TURN YOUR HEAD AND MOVE THE TORCH AWAY IN THE OPPISITE DIRECTION THAT YOU TURNED YOUR HEAD.
5. Now Spit a quick mist at the flame. Make sure that the distance between you head and the torch stay the same. People have a tendency to lean back then forward as they spit into the flame.
   
   Slowly increase the time that you are spraying the fuel into the fire. And slowly as you become comfortable add more fuel. More fuel equals more spray time which means more chance for something to go wrong, so be careful and stay alert.
   
   Well there you go you now have the information you need to breathe fire. Respect this knowledge and you will be safe. Most of the people that I have seen have problems are novice at best and they are just showing off when all of sudden their face is on fire...Not Cool.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the torch properly soaked or bits of burning fabric can fly off.
• Only keep small amounts of fluid on hand to lessen the risk of any problem
• Keep a water soak towel or rag nearby to wipe your chin between times your spitting.
• Fluid WILL drip down your chin. Using any fuel that catches fire quickly (like Coleman or Lanter oil) while light up on your face just as quick.
• Keep you fluid in a squirt bottle with a twist cap. Keeps you from accidently kicking it over and lighting the place on fire.
• Don't show-off, chances are you might not have the right fluid or been in the right place to control the outcome.
• You are working with fire, if you mishandle it you can be seriously injured or fatally wounded.
• Burns are extremely painful so don't get burned. Take every precaution you can to remain safe.
• It is up to you to use this information safely. I do not take any responsibility for stupid people doing stupid things.