Can you roast marshmallows with a sterno flame?
It is fun to cook marshmallows over a fire.We usually do it outdoors.But what about a flame?
The answer is yes, but there are precautions you should take.Adult supervision and special care is required because of their special properties and unique characteristics.
I think you will love cooking marshmallows over the stove.Follow the important safety tips.
You need to understand a few things to cook using a Sterno flame.The flame will be invisible in ordinary light.Under some colored lights, you can see the flame.It will catch fire when you light it.It burns very hot.You will hear a noise when you light it.The can will become very hot during use.It could become white-hot.You must not touch the can with your bare hands until it is cool.The fireproof material on the level plane can be set on top of the Sterno.If you share the cooking experience with children, make sure they understand that the Sterno flame is hot and that they should respect it as much as they respect your stovetop at home.
The can is made of aluminum.It is about four or five inches wide and only a few ounces in weight.The fuel is colored with a blue, purple, or green dye.The cans can be used for up to three hours.In normal daylight, the flame burns as hot as the burners on your stove.
The can is very light, the flame is invisible, and the can will be hot when used.The three properties are the most dangerous.Someone may try to pick it up, thinking it's not lit.Picking up a lit Sterno can cause burns to your hand and can be very dangerous.It is so light that you should not use it in high winds without protecting it with windbreaks or securing it to a heat-safe surface.
The name is a brand.There are many types of cooking cans.Generic products that cost $1 a can work just as well as the brand name.Steno has become a synonym for all such items.They are usually found at Dollar Tree stores and outdoor sporting goods stores.
The first thing you have to do is make sure everyone knows what the camping cooker can is.They have to realize that it can be lit but not seen.It is light and can easily be knocked over.You are ready to begin once everyone understands what you are dealing with.
It could be on a grill or a campfire pit.Place the can on a level surface that is fire safe.To extinguish the flame, place a flat piece of wood over the opening.If you need to touch the can while it is still hot, you should have an oven mitt or fire resistant glove.If there is high wind, don't leave the can lit where it can be blown over.The cans have a strong flame that can only be put out with oxygen.It can be dangerous if it is blown over.Tools long enough to ensure no one places their hands too close to the invisible flame are used.
Use a flat head screwdriver or similar tool to pry the lid off the can.You will need the can after you use it.Light the alcohol with a lighter or match.Be prepared to pull your hand away quickly because it will ignite quickly and easily.If you want to stay away from the flame, use an extended lighter.Less than a second of contact with the flame is not likely to cause harm.
You should roast your marshmallows, hot dogs, or what have you with care because of the characteristics of Sterno cans.Avoid contact with the heated end if you are using metal objects for cooking.
The flame of oxygen can be snuffed out with the help of a pair of pliers.The can will be hot for a while but will cool down quickly.Setting the stock lid on the can will extinguish the flame, but it will need to be hammered back into a tight position to prevent the rest of the alcohol from dissolving.You can either wrap it in a fire retardant fabric or let it sit for a while.If you lose the cap of the can, you can either put the lighted jelly out with a flat piece of wood or bury it.The cooking fuel won't be worth keeping if the top is lost, because the contents will evaporate in a few hours.
The can may explode if it is exposed to enough heat.It's a good idea to store your can in a cool dry place.
No.Condensed rubbing alcohol is safe and nontoxic.If you are used to roasting over an ordinary flame, it is still novel, convenient, and fun.
Maybe.The alcohol alone should have little effect on the taste, but the dye used to color the fuel may change it.You may find that you don't like cooking over an ordinary flame.The can is worth a try.
It's a safety feature to coloring the fuel.If any unlit fuel spills out, you will be able to see the dyed alcohol.This is an important way to help users avoid lighting it accidentally because it is very easy to light.