Things You'll Need:
- A healthy respect for fire.
- Good decision making skills.
- Basic fire safety knowledge.
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Step 1
Eliminate gasoline, lighter fluid & Bacardi 151 as your primary choices for fuel. Why? Gasoline emits thick toxic fumes & will leave your gear in a gross condition. Lighter fluid burns quickly & is volatile. Bacardi 151 is expensive & burns off very quickly.
Your basic choices should be between Kerosene (lamp oil) & White Gas (camping fuel). -
Step 2
KNOW THE PROS!
KEROSENE: 1. Slow to burn off, so your show can last longer between refuels. 2. Slow to light, so if you're nervous there's no quick startling fire. 3. Thick enough so that excess comes off as fuel & not fire. 4. Fumes less likely to ignite, making it generally safer. 5. Inexpensive & easy to obtain.
WHITE GAS: 1. Burns off with a virtually invisible smoke (fumes)& minimal odor. 2. Quick to light, creating a dramatic start for your show. 3. Can create fire trails with excess fuel (neat trick for those comfortable enough to attempt). 4. Leaves gear relatively clean, avoiding excessive black smudges on everything. 5. Gear does not require any pre-show soaking. 5. Inexpensive & easy to obtain. -
Step 3
KNOW THE CONS!
KEROSENE: 1. Burns off with black smoke that has a fairly strong smell. 2. Slow to light, so if you're looking for a quick dramatic start, it's not likely. 3. Thick (viscous), so excess fuel can go flinging out into the audience. 4. The first time you use this fuel, you should soak your wicks for ~12 hours prior to performing to ensure saturation, minimizing damage to your gear. 5. Leaves gear blackened & will leave black smudges on anything your gear then touches.
WHITE GAS: 1. Fumes are more volatile requiring greater attention to safety. 2. Quick lighting can be startling/scary to those new to fire performing. 3. Fire that spins off, if not properly controlled, can be an added danger. -
Step 4
In general, Kerosene is typically used by beginners & White Gas is used by those who are more comfortable. Many people create a 50/50 mix to optimize the benefits of each. The most important thing is your comfort level!!
Once you have decided on a fuel be sure you have a spin/shake out can (empty paint cans work great) for excess fuel & a sealable container (ammo cans work very well) for safe transport.
