Fire Eating & Fire Manipulation

Carisa Hendrix, image provided by JT Photo Model unknown, image provided by Bill Ruhsam

Article edited and authored by Carisa Hendix

Fire Eating (or Fire Swallowing) is the practice of placing a flaming torch into one’s mouth and extinguishes it by snuffing the flame (removing the oxygen). Fire eating is the most well known of all the Fire Manipulation stunts, which also includes methods of controlling the flame, trailing and transferring the flame using your fingers, palm, and other body parts. There are also a variety of tricks using the excess fumes that are given off by a burning torch, these are known as vapor tricks.

Fire eating is a stunt and not a trick meaning the act being performed is real. Torches do not burn with “cold flames” nor is there any special substance in the performer’s mouth other than saliva. Performers require a good and solid understanding of fire safety and the physical laws that govern the behavior of fire (i.e. “hot air rises”). According to Daniel Mannix’s 1951 sideshow memoir Step right up!, the real “secret” to fire eating is enduring pain; he mentions that tolerating constant blisters on your tongue, lips and throat is also necessary. ¹ This is however a misconception, with proper technique it is possible to perform all fire eating stunts consistently with out injury. Although like with all the fire arts there is always the risk of accident so it is important to do all one can to plan for the worst case scenario.

History

Fire eating was a common part of Hindu, Sadhu, and Fakir performances to show spiritual attainment.

The most famous fire eater in history is Robert Powell who not only swallowed fire but also red-hot coals, melted sealing wax and even brimstone. He performed, often in front of British and other European royalty and nobility, for nearly sixty years and was awarded in 1751 a purse of gold and a large silver medal.

It became a part of the standard sideshow acts in the late 1880s and is often seen as one of the entry-level skills for sideshow performers.²

World records

Most torches extinguished in one minute

The most torches extinguished in one minute with the mouth is 89 and was achieved by Pascal Ackermann (Switzerland) on the set of Lo Show dei Record in Rome, Italy, on 1 April 2010. ³ Betting his record of 78 set the previous year on the set of NZ Smashes Guinness World Records at the Sylvia Park shopping mall in Auckland, New Zealand, on 20 September 2009. ⁴ The record of 68 was held prior to that by Hubertus Wawra, also known as “Master of Hellfire” on the set of Guinness World Records – Die Grossten Weltrekorde in Cologne, Germany, on 13 September 2008. ⁵

Most torches extinguished in 30 seconds

The most torches extinguished in 30 seconds with the mouth is 34 and was achieved by Hubertus Wawra (Germany) on TV Asahi in Tokyo, Japan, on 22 December 2010. ⁶

Longest lit torch in mouth

New York City-based fire performer Flambeaux (Chris Reilly) holds the world record for keeping a lit torch in his mouth for a full 55.53 seconds,⁷ beating his previous time of 47 seconds.

Most people fire eating

A total of 171 members of the Chilli Club International (Australia), performed Fire Storm Crossing Australi’ at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics, Australia on 15 September 2000. ⁸

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Guinness World Record for Most Torches in One Minute Time Warp – Penn Eating Fire in Slow Mo

List of Fire Manipulation Stunts

Remember, fire eating and other fire manipulation stunts are extremely dangerous and should only be attempted with the assistance of an expert.

Ignitions

Ignitions are stunts that involve the lighting or a flame, usually used to start a performance.

1. Match light on teeth – Striking and igniting a wooden match off of one’s teeth, usually the top front teeth

Transfers

Transfers are methods of moving a flame from one area to another, by using the body, or another surface or medium.

1. Body transfers – transfer the flame from one torch to the other with other parts of your body, e.g. arm, leg, chest, buttocks, etc.
2. Finger transfer – transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your finger
3. Fire floor transfer – transfer the flame from one torch to the other on the floor
4. Palm transfer – transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your palm
5. Spit transfer – spit the fire from one torch to the other during an eat
6. Tongue transfer – transfer the flame from one torch to the other with your tongue
7. Shoot the moon – puts out one torch, while making the flame “jump” to the other torch. Attributed to Asbestos, Dane Breimhorst of The Inflammables
8. Torch in teeth hold – hold a lit torch in your teeth

Extinguishes

Extinguishes are methods of extinguishing torches, and are the traditional hallmark of fire eating.

1. Match on Tongue / Cigarette on Tongue – Extinguishing a lit match or cigarette on the surface of the tounge
2. The blow out – Utilizing breath control to extinguish, usually performed with a taunting look to the audiences as a way of building anticipation
3. Basic fire swallow – Snuffing the Flame of a light torch with one’s mouth.
4. Palm extinguish – Extinguish fire using the palm or hand
5. Cotton ball extinguish – putting out a cotton ball as you would a torch, using the mouth to snuff the flame
6. Double torch fire swallow – basic fire eat with 2 torches at once
7. Triple torch fire swallow – three torches at once
8. Toss extinguish – pull the torch down out of the flame to extinguish it

Note: Wikipedia mentions a trick called “The Extinguisher” which is defined as “Utilizing a class:B fire extinguisher to extinguish aforementioned flame”.
Please do not attempt to perform this trick. Fire extinguishers are messy and expensive to have refilled and for the majority of the extinguishers you will use during your career discharge powders that are harmful if inhaled.

Vapor tricks

Vapor tricks utilize the fuel vapors held in the mouth during or before an extinguish.

1. Cigarette light – light a cigarette with a Human Candle
2. Human candle – slowly feed a candle sized flame with vapors you hold
3. Vapor transfer – ignite one torch with the vapor from another
4. Volcano – shoot vapors straight up

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Fuels

Though it is possible to fire eat with kerosene (or Parafin) for example, it is extremely dangerous and unhealthy. Inhaling kerosene fumes can cause pneumonia, lung cancer or other potentially fatal problems. The only recommended Fire Eating fuels are Isopropyl Alcohol or White Gas/Coleman Camp Stove Fuel. These fuels have minimal health effects and due to the water content in both they feel as if the are burning with a relatively low burn temperature making these fuels more manageable and appropriate for fire eating.

Waring: There are no fire eating fuels have offer “no” risk. Avoid inhalation of fumes at all times they can cause severe damage to your lungs and are potentially carcinogenic. Also these fuels do not taste or smell the best. Always keep fuel in a sealed, well labelled container.

Note: Some sites recommend using “odorless kerosene, or commercially sold “Fire Water” or “Fire Sol” from juggling shops” these fuels have been found to be more dangerous than Isopropyl Alcohol or White Gas and are not recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ronsonol the same as White Gas? ⁹
In a way, they are both Naphtha products however they have slightly different properties. In a pinch Ronsonal will work, but White Gas is a cheaper, cleaner solution.

Where is the best place to find White Gas? Is Coleman fuel the same as White Gas?
It really depends on what country you live in. Typically anywhere you can buy camp stoves you will find White Gas. The regular Colman’s Camp Stove fuel is what I and almost all the professionals I interviewed for the dvd used for fire eating.

Can I use juggling torches for fire eating and breathing?
Yes. Just keep in mind that you have to close your mouth fully around the torch to extinguish it in the fire eating stunt, so you’ll want to make sure to purchase torches with slightly smaller heads. Also make sure it is constructed with good quality kevlar and no exposed metal wire or screws. Any exposed metal on the head of your torch will get very hot and can burn you as you perform various fire eating stunts.

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See Also

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External links

Penn”s Fire-Eating Speech – an excerpt from the script of the P&T sin city spectacular show

Brian Brushwood’s The Professional’s Guide to Fire Eating – Book – Award-winning bizarre magician Brian Brushwood unveils the most complete explanations of fire eating to date!

Carisa Hendrix’s How To Eat Fire -DVD – The best selling Fire Eating DVD. Carisa Hendrix, a professional instructor and fire performer, walks you through…

If any of the information in the above article is incorrect, unclear or incomplete please email me with the your issue and supporting references.

References

1. Mannix, Daniel P. (1951). Step right up!(1st ed.). Harper. [↩]
2. Miracle Mongers and their Methods, by Houdini (Get The Audiobook) [↩]
3. GuinnessWorldRecords.com [↩]
4. Watch the video on Youtube [↩]
5. Watch the video on Youtube [↩]
6. GuinnessWorldRecords.com [↩]
7. Record Holders Republic [↩]
8. GuinnessWorldRecords.com [↩]
9. LearnFireEating.com FAQ [↩]