We go through a lot of the "Purell" hand sanitizer at home, enough that it makes getting the gallon jug of it from Sam's Club worthwhile. This stuff is 67% ethanol plus some gelling agent. DW was going to throw out our latest empty bottle of the stuff when I noticed there was still about 1/2 inch of the goo in it. I was pretty sure the stuff would burn, so I wanted to try an experiment with it.

Namely, what happens if you drop a really big firecracker into a mostly empty bottle of hand sanitizer? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Knowing ethanol burns with an almost invisible blue flame I waited until dark to try it. I expected a cool fireball and maybe some flaming globs of goo flying through the air.

In retrospect, I think my mistake was shaking the bottle before adding the firecracker. Even though the alcohol was gelled it apparently still had a high vapor pressure resulting in the bottle being filled with ethanol fumes. These fumes caught on fire as soon as the burning fuse approached the mouth of the bottle. Blue flame shot from the bottle like a jet's afterburner, it was a really impressive sight. The only problem was that the firecracker was still in my hand which was now ingulfed in flame (2nd degree burns across thumb and two fingers). Of course, this also changed the rate at which the fuse was burning.

I was able to drop the firecracker down into the bottle and get one step away before it blew up. The resulting explosion didn't produce a big blue fireball, which, considering my proximity to it was a good thing. The bursting firecracker actually snuffed the flame and instead just threw hot globs of sticky goo everywhere. Potentially useful, but not all that impressive.

Which leads me to the moral of the story: Always be sure to empty your pockets before putting your pants in the clothes hamper otherwise your wife will be very angry when she finds a lighter in the clothes drier! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

-Blast

I see how you got your screen name. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or when she finds the backup firecracker, or a booklet of matches, or razor blades, or little plastic wrapped tablets of who know's what, or the shredded remains of a receipt that should have gone in the receipt box, etc.

Razor blades!!!!! How can you expect a mom to teach a kid to fold laundry when there are razor blades tucked in it? Do you *want* bloody handkerchiefs?

-Kuovonne

That's why I do my own laundry.

"I should wash this new surplus duffle bag I just got"
That's why some of my white socks have an unusual color.

Actually it is not so good to use that much alcohol based hand sanitizer. Do a little research and you will see that it dries and damages your skin creating micro-cracks (open wounds) that actually make it easier for germs to get into your skin.
Look for a benzalkonium chloride based product instead.
Check out www.woodwardlabs.com

But then there are concerns over breeding resistant superbugs...

There are no good choices -- just like the presidential elections. You lose either way.

LMAO... thanks, I needed that... hope your hand's doing OK <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />.

Troy

PS I'm only laughing because I can see myself doing something like that.

You do have a good life insurance policy on him, right? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Yes there is a concern with using sanitzers too often. I only use them when I cannot wash my hands regularly; like on a backpacking trip. Also good when traveling.
But most of the time regular, old fashioned, non antibacterial soap is the best way to go.

Blast,

Does the DW also have an EMT/army medic/brain surgeon background? With some of your experiments, it might be necessary. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Glad to hear that you're ok, otherwise we'd post a link from your entry to the Darwin Awards website (using a firecracker to test flammability <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />)

Seriously, I considered it to be a fire starter when I read the ingredients list (over 60% alcohol!?!?). However, my tests merely placed several drops of Purell on a cotton ball, a piece of kindling and several pieces of charcoal. All were successful. My sparklite was able to ignite them with a resulting bluish, almost clear flame.

To me, if I can find and stash products that have multiple uses, I'm a happy ETS'er. Purell qualifies, especially if I'm not certain about the water quality. Since I typically use it when out of the country or in an emergency situation, I'm not too worried about contributing to the 'superbug' scenario. Normal soap and water often does the trick and it's a lot cheaper than Purell (or store-brand equivalent).

It sounds to me like Purell is really an alcohol based napalm.

Use the hand sanitizer to sanitize hands?! <img src="/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />
That would be such a waste!! <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

As for DW's first aid skillls, she didn't have any when I first met her but now whenever I say, "I'm going outside." she responds with, "I'll get the first aid kit.". Even our three-year old daughter has learned not to touch daddy's skin if it's red and she likes to pretend she wearing lots of bandages. Hmm, maybe I'm a bad influence on her...

I wish I could put the story on my blog about my home-made smoke bombs and the guy in the bar dressed as The Batman. Unfortunately, my dad reads my blog and he doesn't know I go to bars. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

-Blast

Wow, thats really good to know about the firestarting properties. Did you have any more trouble igniting the sanitizer then the Tinder-Quick?

Redflare,

It was about the same. I like using cotton balls with the Purell or petroluem jelly as homemade starters in my BOB and when camping. However, the tinderquick is great as a primary source in the PSK.

- Brian