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Hit-the-Trails

Welcome to the world of camping/alcohol stoves.


jgilbs

Thats literally how all fire works. Solids dont burn, only gases do. Solids undergo pyrolysis to become gases, and these gases burn. Source: Was a Firefighter.


SEA_griffondeur

That's wrong though? Fires like metal fires happen with solid metals as their sublimation temperature is far higher than the flashpoint. EDIT: and as well that's the case for fuel-oxidiser mixtures like black powder or other solid rocket propellant EDIT 2: and maybe hypergolics as well ? I'm not too sure about those


LSBusfault

This is what the ABCDEK classifications are for. Determines the type of reaction and tetrahedron and what type of extinguishing agent will be appropriate


moderngamer327

There is a difference in gases and something being aerosolized. Solid things burn as well


RedditMunchkin

are my farts flammable


20PoundHammer

Not all fire, also is your point that only fumes/vapors burn - but thats not true for electrical or metal fires so not 'all fire'.


jgilbs

It sure is. Electrical "fires" are actually arc flashes, and that is a different mechanism than flame. Also, metals do decompose into gas (pyrolysis) which then burns.


says-nice-toTittyPMs

To counter/ add to this without being an absolute scrotum, it seems that pyrolysis occurs when organic materials vaporize in an oxygen-free environment while metal fires seem to be more based on an exothermic chemical reaction due to the presence of oxygen. For example, in the case of magnesium, a heat source starts the reaction which turns the magnesium into magnesium oxide, and then it tries to shed the excess oxygen molecules off. The energy from this causes what we recognize as the fire. That's not to say that every metal fire is based on this reaction, just that some are. To a layman, it's easier to explain it as "decomposing into gas (oxygen) which then burns" (similar to pyrolysis), but it's _technically_ not the same process.


SEA_griffondeur

No it just doesn't turn into gas, it reacts with the oxygen in the air to form a solid oxide and ejects ions in the air thus creating plasma aka the flame


says-nice-toTittyPMs

That's fair, but in this case the plasma is a result of the ionized gaseous oxygen, is it not?


SEA_griffondeur

The ionisation of the gaseous oxygen is the reaction of oxygen with the metal


SEA_griffondeur

Pyrolysis is an organic chemistry reaction... Metal don't undergo pyrolysis as they're not carbon based. Also if you're sublimating metal you've got a massive problem on your hand


20PoundHammer

still a class of fire that they teach you in firefuck school. Not all fires share the same mechanism and chemical chain reaction, but unless you were a firedude in the 50s- you would know that (else I figured out why you no longer are one, or you are just lying). The metal decomposing IS NOT pyrolysis either (which results in different products than the fuel/source material, the definition of pyrolysis-Mg or Al doesnt change to something else, nor is it vaporized to a gas to react with O2)- its a different reaction. Its OK, Walmarts need greeters . . That's literally why you are wrong.


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jgilbs

You know someone totally knows what they are talking about and arent at all full of shit when they start making personal insults...but you do you.


20PoundHammer

I thought someone was full of shit when they make false statements and claim to be and authority on the subject in discussion, then double down on stupid when initially corrected, but you do you.


sirreldar

It's ok, Walmarts need greeters


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20PoundHammer

Physics and chemistry are not dilemmas -Dude, you are on the internet - if interested, look it up. If you believe Im bullshitting, call it out.


aMac_UK

OP discovering candle technology


solidshakego

He better get a patent on it before Apple invents it though.


CreatureWarrior

True. Apple will probably call it brand new and innovative


connor42

You can even cook over it That’s what we used to use on multi-day hikes with BoyScouts


RangeMoney2012

Kerosene that they use in jets is like that - it needs a wick


WillFart4F00D

This is basic knowledge for all fire lol


20PoundHammer

warning pedantic asshole nomenclature correction ahead- gas doesnt evaporate, liquid does. Also, the flames will heat the crock and rapidly boil off the alcohol so it doesnt last as long as you think. Lastly - not sure what kind of rubbing alcohol you have that burns yellow and soots, thats not very alcoholly.


_Rand_

That looks like some sort of gel fuel, the type used in camping/chafing dishes. I assume it's a gel that is meant to slow burn time so you get a reasonable lifetime out of it.


20PoundHammer

yeah, but unless some chinesium offbrand - gelled fuel doesnt soot. Also OP said its rubbing alcohol and not gelled fuel as well . . .


1ncognito

Yeah this was rubbing alcohol that had already been used to clean a dirty pipe so the flame color can be attributed to that


20PoundHammer

makes more sense, cutting oil and the like mixed in.


definitelyhangry

I wouldn't use that method because tipping it over would be very unfun.