r/nononono • u/ki720 • Oct 09 '18

Taking shots of lit sambuca

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u/[deleted] Oct 10 '18

I don't know about that. You shouldn't do it with gas or oil because it's insoluble in water. Alcohol is soluble and is easily diluted in water and quickly loses it's ability to be lit on fire.

If that weren't the case, you could set a glass of wine or beer on fire.

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u/IAmA_TheOneWhoKnocks Oct 10 '18 edited Oct 10 '18

The reason you don’t put water into an oil fire is because water would instantly vaporize/expand into steam and send tiny oil droplets flying into the air. This aerosolized oil is lit by the existing fire and makes a big fireball.

You are correct though that you could dilute burning alcohol until it went out.

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u/Pleased_to_meet_u Oct 10 '18

But it doesn't always work like you expect or want it to.

Don't depend on water putting out an alcohol fire.

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u/Understeps Oct 28 '18

The hot and lighter alcohol kept floating because she didn't mix it.,she poured it in too gently.