Is there any harm in throwing colored flame additives in to a wood stove? Products such as Mystical Fire or Color-Flame. I am guessing they are not recommended, but they are sold right along side the wood stove equipment at the hardware store. Is it harmful to throw a little bit in every now and then?
Colored Flame Additives
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That sounds neat to me especially if you have company over and want some extra ambiance--yes a natural fire is beautiful but that would be different and would like to know what the ingredients are in the stuff and never knew anything sold like that--what a trip...clancey
Colored flame products contain metal salts to create the colors.
Depending on the salt it may interact with the steel inside the stove or the stainless lining in the flue.
Would I loose any sleep using it a couple times, not likely, but I wouldn't make it a regular occurrence either.
Depending on the salt it may interact with the steel inside the stove or the stainless lining in the flue.
Would I loose any sleep using it a couple times, not likely, but I wouldn't make it a regular occurrence either.
I would skip it if you have a catalyst in your stove.
Friend uses something like that in his regency
![[Hearth.com] Colored Flame Additives](https://www.hearth.com/talk/data/attachments/290/290699-92e00cb88baa9e3cec762b626789b60c.jpg?hash=SODN2kjIcq "[Hearth.com] Colored Flame Additives")
Here are some colors produced by different salts:
Orange ---------Calcium Chloride (a bleaching powder)
Yellow ----------Sodium Chloride (table salt)
Yellow-Green---Borax (a laundry powder)
Green-----------Copper Sulfate (for swimming pools)
Blue-------------Copper Chloride
Purple-----------Potassium Chloride (fertilizer)
White------------Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts)
Orange ---------Calcium Chloride (a bleaching powder)
Yellow ----------Sodium Chloride (table salt)
Yellow-Green---Borax (a laundry powder)
Green-----------Copper Sulfate (for swimming pools)
Blue-------------Copper Chloride
Purple-----------Potassium Chloride (fertilizer)
White------------Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salts)
Post some pics please once you do. I thought the bourbon and Pink Floyd was getting to me when I saw that picture above. Since it was real, I'd like to see more 
N.E.K. - D.D.S.
Member
This is too cool to even think about NOT using the salts!
It is like the additives for making different colours in fireworks.
A crazy old timer that I knew in the Yukon used to burn batteries in his wood stove... and said they "burn down real good". The salts can't be as bad as that, at least!
I think I would avoid putting anything in my stove that contains salt or Chloride most manuals say not to burn driftwood due to salt
The flame test is (was? I'm old) used in chemistry to i.d. what metal is present.
Search chemistry flame test to see characteristic colors.
Search chemistry flame test to see characteristic colors.
NickW
Minister of Fire
Are you a big Floyd fan? I am a huge fan. Have a collage tattoo with artwork from The Wall, Dark Side, Animals and Wish you Were Here...Post some pics please once you do. I thought the bourbon and Pink Floyd was getting to me when I saw that picture above. Since it was real, I'd like to see more
In campfires I put a big diameter chimney log on the fire standing on end and toss a piece of 3/4" copper tube with a cutoff of vinyl hose stuffed inside down the chimney log (you have to slit the hose lengthwise to get it to fit). When the flames start shooting out they are all kinds of psychedelic colors... copper tube can be reused.
Ok, yes I like me some Pink Floyd!
Sounds interesting, but I am going to see that elsewhere - I prefer it not to breathe burning plastic. I'd actually be tempted to put some salts in my fire pit outside tho.
Sounds interesting, but I am going to see that elsewhere - I prefer it not to breathe burning plastic. I'd actually be tempted to put some salts in my fire pit outside tho.
N.E.K. - D.D.S.
Member
The Pink Floyd gives you credibility as well. In my eyes anyway.
What do you mean plastic? They are just metal salts, no? Regardless, I would breathe a bit of plastic fumes for the cool colours.
NickW
Minister of Fire
When the vinyl melts/burns it reacts with the copper tubing. Has to be a good hot coal base. We rarely smell it.
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