It actually works

This is an easy and fun fire project involving hand santizer. The flames are cool enough to hold, plus you can color them using common chemicals.

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This is an easy and fun fire project involving hand santizer. The flames are cool enough to hold, plus you can color them using common chemicals.

Find more of my projects at:
chemistry.about.com

Hand sanitizer containing ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol is essentially gel fuel. These two alcohols burn at a relatively low temperature, plus the product is mostly water, which absorbs a lot of heat, protecting surfaces and your skin. These properties make hand santizer perfect for fire projects and demonstrations. However, keep in mind the gel is stickier than rubbing alcohol or high proof ethanol so the fire is a little harder to put out. As with all flames, the fire can spread and your could get burned. Don't try this project unless you are an adult. Please use common sense.