At what strength (% by vol) does a drink become flammable
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Brandy at 35% is, really? I don't think I was ever able to get an 80 proof alcohol to catch flame (at least more than just a split-second flash.) I think the ability to make flaming shots begins at 100 proof.
remilard
Well-Known Member
I believe brandy is not flammable but if you heat it, it will produce flammable vapor (eg flambe).
dasBuhbuh
Well-Known Member
proof is a throwback to when they would proof by gunpowder. the higher the proof, the larger the flame, and the faster the gunpowder lit. i think that 80 proof is minimum to light. According to wikipedia (and most people that I have talked to about this), it is 100 proof, but I did see an Episode of Good Eats (yesterday) where AB lit an 80 proof liquor in a tray of gunpowder.
In the old days proof spirits were spirits that would ignite alone (in some cases) or when poured over gun powder (in other jurisdictions). In any case, 100 proof is roughly the concentration at which you should be able to sustain a flame but certainly flambee'd desserts are made with spirits at lower proof. In those heat seems to be used to drive the vapors out of solution and it is the vapors that are ignited. That also seems to be the case with, for example, sambucca (84 proof) which is often served flaming.
SpanishCastleAle
Well-Known Member
You guys are all wrong. Flaming Moes light up just fine and are made with cough syrup.
mmmmm Flaming Moe! (drool)
triethylborane
Well-Known Member
You can also proof by the bubble retention and size.
100 proof is theoretical. If you aspirate/mist wine, you can light the alcohol in it.
100 proof is theoretical. If you aspirate/mist wine, you can light the alcohol in it.
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
Which all begs the question........
WHY?
WHY?
Yes, but in the first recipe I found on the net (having never heard of this) I discover that the flame comes from a layer of sambucca on the top!
SwampassJ
Well-Known Member
"Drunken burp" WHY NOT!?!?!?!
SpanishCastleAle
Well-Known Member
Obv because his Flaming Moe....didn't.
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
Wow! You got that from the OP?lol.
You must have a crystal ball in your spanish castle.
ArtVandelay
Well-Known Member
cheezydemon3
Well-Known Member
Well, if you brew a beer that ignites, it aint beer anymore.
GreatWetNorth
Well-Known Member
Another post that doesn't exactly answer the OP, but relates to some of the previous replies.
Before rum, gin was the 'official' drink of the British Navy. The gin was sometimes stored in close proximity to the gun powder and sometimes the bottles would break and spill on the cases of gun powder.
Obviously the Navy still had to be able to use the gun powder, so they had tests to see how strong gin had to be where it could be spilt on gun powder and the gun powder would still ignite.
At least that's the story Plymouth Gin likes to tell.
Plymouth Gin
(Gin seems to be a little hit and miss with some guys; some like it, some see it a woman's drink. I like gin and I like Plymouth and wish that they sold the Navy Strength stuff over here.)
Before rum, gin was the 'official' drink of the British Navy. The gin was sometimes stored in close proximity to the gun powder and sometimes the bottles would break and spill on the cases of gun powder.
Obviously the Navy still had to be able to use the gun powder, so they had tests to see how strong gin had to be where it could be spilt on gun powder and the gun powder would still ignite.
At least that's the story Plymouth Gin likes to tell.
Plymouth Gin
(Gin seems to be a little hit and miss with some guys; some like it, some see it a woman's drink. I like gin and I like Plymouth and wish that they sold the Navy Strength stuff over here.)
jimmypop13
Well-Known Member
The whole time I was reading this, I was thinking of that good eats episode and then you mentioned it! Awesome
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