Canned Heat-How to Make Sterno Gel Fuel

This video describes how to make the flammable gel found inside a can of Sterno. These canisters of heat are designed with a colloidal gel composed of a saturated solution of calcium acetate and ethanol. This unique fire gel has the ability to be a source of heat for hours on end which become useful in heating or cooking food (such as roasting a marshmallow). Or even having some fun with the chemistry and creating some colorful flames.
How to make sterno
fire gel
fuel gel
gel fuel
Prepper survival cooking fuel
Chafing Fuel
Food Warmer Gel
#sterno #cannedheat #prepper #chem

[@davidward3991]

I wish I had a chemistry teacher like her. She makes it fun while explaining the process.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!!

[@misterhat5823]

She's too cute to be a chemistry teacher. I'd be too distracted to pay attention to chemistry.

[@jilliansoterlicavoli2754]

And I love her pronunciation of water, not meant in a disrespect hurtful manner but a "I legitimately enjoyed hearing it" manner. I'm from Michigan and would not dream of making fun of anyone's accent as ours is ridiculous. I mean we call soda "pop" and think euchre is a "fun" card game.

[@KylejvT]

A thousand thanks for editing out the crushing of the chalk... just the first hit with the pestle was enough to active all my goose pimple receptors.

[@Mrs.NewmansHusband]

Yeah whoever edits these videos does such an amazing job, it’s really world class! Can’t give enough props to whoever that is!! 🫠

[@howardmorris6378]

Yeah,Duck Bumps😊

[@youmanskids]

@@Mrs.NewmansHusband , yea, I see how it is. :)

[@d34dbolt20]

Does the sound of cotton in medicine bottles trigger it for you? I know someone that has this phobia.

[@Carlosscdcbrc]

Canned Heat was the name of a Musical group in the 60s. They had a big hit song called Going Up Country.

[@raymond4794]

The cover they did became a hit song to be precise ;-)

[@Redwood_Rambler]

Canned Heat is a badass band

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

So I have learned.

[@daverohn383]

I had a science teacher like this in high school. Man, was that ever a fun class! We made stuff that blows up!

[@bluenetmarketing]

This sure brings back many memories. B.S. Chemistry, 1975. My degree has served me so well in life in areas not even related to chemistry.

[@steveh8724]

Mine was 1980, same reactions (pun intended) and conclusion!

[@bluenetmarketing]

@@steveh8724 I like your retort. Thanks.

[@Readitandweepbb]

Obviously mrs Newman is from the Philly area.... WOODER =Water 😂😂

[@rob9176]

She sounded a little drunk to me also

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

haha...Close...NJ!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Honestly....not even a little bit.

[@shanesgettinghandy]

I literally paused the video and rewound when I heard wooder.

[@dougnicholson8325]

​@@rob9176looked high AF, like just smoked with Snoop high!

[@8Jory]

Not sure if it has already been mentioned, but you can get "cleaning" vinegar that is 10% acetic acid (at least here in Canada) so less to add, and less water to evaporate. And here Methanol is sold as a paint thinner/ cleaner in hardware stores for fairly cheap. It is also sold as a water remover fuel additive, though it's typically more expensive by volune in that format.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Yes, any vinegar with a higher concentration (greater percentage) of acetic acid would require less to be add which reduces the amount of time needed to evaporate any excess water. And yes, there are much more cost effective sources of alcohol that will also work. I always try to use the ethanol because it does burn a little cleaner. Some rubbing alcohols are made with denatured methanol or ethanol and are much less expensive. I just couldn't find any at my local stores currently.

[@dauman1442]

Remember the fumes from some alcohols may be toxic

[@Sum_Tings_Wong]

@@dauman1442 Nope.

[@SunriseLAW]

That is just awesome. Less dramatic, more useful than the 'gasoline/styrofoam "kitchen napalm'.....

[@JuniorFarquar]

So you say

[@wikkidklown]

They say you say water is so unusual but awfully adorable

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thanks!

[@raymondramlow3990]

I used to hear this pronunciation when visiting Pennsylvania.

[@engmed4400]

My wife and I homeschool our kids, and I'm always looking for videos to augment the materials we give them. This one has just made it into the rotation. Thank you.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Wonderful! Thank you 🧪💜🧪

[@Che8336]

That’s the best, and clearest demonstration I’ve seen online yet!! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@salehaminian9809]

Really appreciate your teaching with patience and details. Thanks for it 😍

[@norm5785]

Thank you for sharing this video. Everyone stay safe, warm, happy and healthy. From Henrico County Virginia

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you for watching!! And the same to you!

[@Mrs.NewmansHusband]

Awesome episode! Best looking one you’ve done yet!!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thanks!

[@PrinceSheogorath]

You remind me of my fourth grade teacher Ms Gillis.. I immediately now remember why I loved chemistry

[@gregologynet]

This is a great channel! I'm looking forward to introducing my daughter to chemistry with fun experiments like these. Thank you Mrs. Newman

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Wonderful! Thank you!

[@XSFx5]

Same for me, although my daughter is currently only 6 months old 😛(so she won't be doing any experiments like this with daddy for some years, of course)

[@SheenaRea]

That was fun. Now I'm gonna make a few of these. Many thanks!!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Have fun and be safe! Thank you for watching!

[@kellysnodgrass2236]

That was cool! Also, I like the word wooder! Thanks!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@maddmarkk1]

Ma’am, thank you so much. You just gave me the secret formula to giving my car colored flames! There are businesses selling a small jar of this stuff for $50 mixed in with lithium chloride or strontium. I’m not sure for pink and copper or boric acid for green but either way I couldn’t figure out how to mix in the ions and get them to stick so I Took lithium chloride and made a salt solution and painted that on, but it didn’t work that well thank you so much. I love chemistry!!!!

[@justinvanburen8259]

You amazing!!! Thank you!! Keep making videos and I’ll keep watching!!!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!!

[@paulsworld07]

Yo, Ms. White! This is the bomb!! This is art! You're an artist. Everyone's gonna wanna try this....and I know just the guy.

[@Mrs.NewmansHusband]

Ironically she hates that show lol

[@stlrsfan27]

You are Top Shelf. That is with out a doubt one of the coolest things I've ever seen 😎 You are Awesome. I am a subscriber now. Keep up the Amazing videos .and keep on Smiling 😁

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Wow, thank you!!

[@BeachsideHank]

Poor miss Campbell, my elementary school science teacher. She was doing the obligatory "volcano" thing with vinegar and baking soda when I challenged her about how Dow chemical was making napalm and that it was a better visual demonstration as far as a learning aid was concerned, that earned me a trip to the coatroom closet outside the classroom for the duration of her class period, however I still have a love of science that prevails to this day, some 65 years later. p.s. it was fun being in the nearly closed closet making strange noises to people passing by and watching their reactions. ☺

[@sergeantsapient]

This was awesome.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@NicolaSelenu]

I've just subscribed! this channel is a gem :)

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Wow, thanks!

[@clutchpedalreturnsprg7710]

Hello Ms. Newman, thank you for this video. When I first saw the title I thought this was the topic: KZbin video: Canned Heat - Going Up The Country 1970

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you for watching!

[@harrietpeabody2118]

Thank you 😊

[@davidm9214]

You can also buy supplement poultry calcium in like 5 lb bags.

[@BIG-DIPPER-56]

Wow, that was very nice - Thanks.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Glad you liked it! Thank you!!

[@thetraindriver01]

Great vid thanks 👌👍👏👏😊

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@_just_looking_thank_you]

How is it that YT served up two videos today on this very subject? Has the algorithm determined that I need to start prepping? Is there a zombie apocalypse on the horizon? If so, I hope it’s more the K-zombie than Walking Dead genre. Pretty cool though that I’ve found a couple more chemistry channels to subscribe to. Love this stuff, perhaps the more so because I never had it in school. Also, I could definitely see the sixteen year old me having a crush on Mrs Newman. 😄

[@rob9176]

Only two? I’ve gotten four although this is the first I’ve watched

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you! Hopefully, for everyone's sake...it just stays as cool chemistry to know.

[@cattebratte]

great video!!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!!

[@rhondakendrick2563]

THANK U FOR THE INFO GOOD FOR CAMPING

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Yes it is 🏕️ Thank you for watching!

[@MsNailgun]

Great video. Such a pleasant voice.

[@artyom_zdanek]

Nice! Хороший! Always wanted to know how to make the gelled type, experience using the wax and cardboard, or wax and sawdust gets messy and you have to wait quite a while for them to cool. Excellent project, and I enjoyed seeing the solution gel.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you! Glad you learned something new & enjoyed.

[@AnnBearForFreedom]

Thumbs up PLUS! Thank you.

[@Mrs.NewmansHusband]

And thank you too!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you too!!

[@DRT-81]

Thanks!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@doglegjake6788]

Excellent video

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you very much!

[@va3ngc]

Cool - Now I can turn some of that fondue fuel I bought into gelled fondue fuel, which my fondue set needs. ;-)

[@worldrecords7969]

Canned Heat played at Woodstock in 1969.

[@Mrs.NewmansHusband]

That is accurate 👍

[@l.robertvandyke4398]

Thank you

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

You're welcome! And thank you!

[@jeffwindrim975]

That was a Cool 😎 Video 👍

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@user-yk7yv8rb5i]

great idea i will try that sounds good❤

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Hope you enjoy! Be safe.

[@user-yk7yv8rb5i]

Hi yes I did try it and it worked just great thank you for the tip god bless

[@wizardwillbonner]

I wish I had had a science teacher like her instead of the boring ole battle ax that we were stuck with.

[@Critical_Stinking]

Thank you my dear ❤️

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!!

[@horsey8516]

I think Mrs. Info would be a fun idea. 🐴

[@rezzer7918]

Cute to the max

[@squ1r7y]

Interesting. We have backyard chickens, im going to try this with the shells.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Awesome! I hope you enjoy trying it out. Also, you will need a filter of some type (even just a paper coffee filter) if you are using eggshells. Only the calcium carbonate will dissolve so you will need to remove the other stuff prior to heating to drive off the excess water.

[@JJamahJamerson]

This would be great for camping.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Yes it would!

[@JJamahJamerson]

@@ChemCampwithMrsNewmanwould I be able to dissolves a salt throughout the gel so the flame is always coloured or would that change the chemical reaction?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

You should be able to mix it in once the gel forms. You probably can even just sprinkle in over the top before igniting the gel too.

[@uranodas]

Cool

[@dangareau]

Oh, you are so from Philly (South Jersey). Or at least close by. Cause I'm from Wildwood, which is surrounded by "wooder" and you have Everclear (legal in NJ, not in PA). I don't know why this makes me so happy, maybe the chemistry, maybe hearing someone talk like me, either way, Liked and Subbed.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Excellent observation skills! I am from NJ. Thank you!

[@pencilguin]

You sent me web searching for your dialect - never heard that pronunciation of 'water' before. Internet says you are from somewhere in the neighborhood of Philadelphia :). Oh, and thanks for the video.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you for watching!! And I'm just east of Philly in NJ.

[@aaroneckardt5514]

I never heard her accent before either. It does not sound very "Philly" to me. Maybe I am confusing "Philly Ghetto" for Philly metro accents. But sure is a unique accent. Being a Central Midwestern, I have no accent. We are the only English speaking culture on earth that actually pronounces words phonetically correctly.

[@axslv]

Wow, what a woman

[@k9road]

...Nice Overcoat...

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@Mikey-Likes-I.T]

Great video! Whats the lifespan/storage life of that? could you put some of that on cotton and store it for a camp fire starter?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you! I'm not certain about lifespan/storage life. Usually I would make these with students in lab and we would use them to make s'mores to learn about limiting reactants. So we would use them right away. If you are going to store it for a period of time I would be sure to use an air tight container to prevent any evaporation of the alcohol.

[@daveeyre1788]

That was great thanks Darling. About how long would that burn for

[@AlanTuringWannabe]

None of my teachers growing up were this attractive.

[@regexRex]

Hottest chemistry teacher ever.

[@zl14l41]

Does Mrs. Newman get to take the rest of the bottle home after class? 😂

[@liljohnsonusmc]

I like the first half better when she said "wooter" rather then the second half she switched to water. 😂 Just giving you a hard time. Lpve the channel, not sure how you got in my algorithm but video liked and subscribed. Hope to dp some of these with my daughter's. Ive always loved chemistry. ❤

[@timothyhowie6171]

"an excellent" 👍🏻

[@Sinner4life]

Put some hand sanitizer in a Sterno can bam you got Sterno.

[@dodgersfnshepard8673]

Wood-darh Instructions not clear, eyebrows gone

[@matthewoakley4734]

I have an extra chalk laying around I use for weightlifting but it’s magnesium carbonate. I’m guessing that wouldn’t yield the same product??

[@samusaron5000]

Great presentation and very informative, my only issue is the audio, reposition your mic so it's not in direct contact with fabric or hair that could brush it.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thanks for the advice! I wasn't wearing a mic so we will have to figure out the issue.

[@addictedtotreasuretrash108]

can i use nail polish remover as the alchohol? or what household items can i use for the alchohol as i am on a limited budget.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Nail Polish remover is acetone which is also flammable but is a different type of molecule (a ketone) than an alcohol molecule. You need an alcohol to create the colloidal gel. So you can use rubbing alcohol, which is usually denatured isopropyl alcohol, instead of the grain alcohol. Some rubbing alcohols are also made of denatured methanol or ethanol. I prefer to work with ethanol (it burns the cleanest) and wasn't able to find any denatured ethanol locally which is why I used the grain alcohol. Hope this helps!

[@CheerfuEntropy]

your mortar is really cool and you should feel cool about it

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

haha...thank you! My mom actually got it for me.

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Big feature not mentioned, no smoke and won't immediately evaporate away. Q: Reagent grade 100% isopropyl alcohol is inexpensive (and a great solvent for cleaning bike parts). Any problems using that instead of expensive Everclear?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Using isopropyl alcohol will also work. Ethanol just burns the cleanest and safest which is why I prefer to work with it. Denatured ethanol is also inexpensive, I just wasn't able to find any locally.

[@rocksfire4390]

this seems really good for getting a campfire/burn barrel going. why is sterno safe to cook with but not to touch? is it that burning the substance causes it to become nontoxic?

[@gpweaver]

Because it dries your skin out really bad. But I didn't know it was unsafe to touch, more like, "Overly-CYA legal warning on a not-really-dangerous" substance. Of course, if it's burning at the time, the gel will stick to you and continue burning, and while it's a neat party trick to put alcohol on your hand and light it up, burning alcohol gel gets really hot.

[@trucid2]

Wow this video blew up. I think it's your picture in the thumbnail that did it.

[@jimsvideos7201]

Pyrex isn't uniformly borosilicate glass anymore, fair warning.

[@jsh111]

Would this also work with kerosene? I'd like to do this for an old diesel engine pre heater

[@GF-pc5bt]

What’s the burn time on what was just made ? Thanks

[@Raul28153]

I would like to learn how to take magnesium and other minerals and put them into ionic form in a pH neutral aqueous solution.

[@RitaElaineHeltonBarker-uz4sz]

You stand before the courts accused of being from Boston! Seeing you can't enunciate the word Water declaring Wooder LoL i laughed like heck every time you said it hahaha 😂

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

haha...very glad you got a good laugh. I'm a little south of Boston though. NJ.

[@ww-nx6hj]

Gurl, did you just rediscover Greek Fire?

[@DJ_Typhlosion]

This seems like a good idea for survival scenarios as it would make for an easy way to start a fire, but when you talk about roasting a marshmallow, how clean does this burn? Like with lighter fluid you have to let it burn off or it messes with taste. Does it give a weird flavor if you cook directly off the flame? Also can you touch the gel or is it harmful to your skin?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

If you are going to cook directly over the flame, I would be sure to use ethanol because it burns the cleanest and shouldn't have any affect on the taste. If you are heating the food in pan over the flame then methanol is safe to use (even some of the Sterno products list methanol as an ingredient). If you have real sensitive skin, touching the gel might cause a slight irritation. But with all chemicals it is best to try to limit exposure and be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after use.

[@mattypants]

If you use high alcohol content, like 99% rubbing alcohol, it will burn very clean.

[@michaelroby8389]

So....before i risk blowing up my own kitchen 😊, i have a few questions. 1) Using the amount shown in this video, how long will the flame last? 2) Guessing the diameter of the container is not proportional to the ratecof burn, correct? 3) Once ignited, is the need for ventilation about the same as a homes natural gas and propane, or does it require more or less ventilation?

[@stoojinator]

You're way too happy doing this

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Chemistry makes me happy!

[@Thrunabulax10]

"And now, i am going to show you how to make Plutonium from common household chemicals" -- Weird Al Yancovic

[@pabrowncoatbrewer7154]

Great video. Just curious here… you’re from Philly, right?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you! Close...NJ. What possibly could've given it away?

[@pabrowncoatbrewer7154]

@ChemCampwithMrsNewman Wooder instead of Water. I still say it that way after moving to the Harrisburg area 12 years ago. Side note: The Philly pronunciation of water gave the FBI profiler the procedural idea to investigate and catch the Unibomber. That's why we should embrace it.

[@ZOMBIEHEADSHOTKILLER]

i raise chickens, so im defiantly gonna have to try making some of this, would be good to have for camping, or other various things. but i have a question...... is denatured alcohol, or other, non drinkable alcohols, safe to cook food directly on the open flame?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Yes. Denatured ethanol would be the safest. I was not able to find any locally which is why I used the grain alcohol.

[@MediumMonitor]

i see fire, i sub.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

thank you!

[@bepstein111]

Love that mortar and pestle!! where is it from!?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you! Unfortunately, I’m not certain. It was a gift from my mom.

[@diablominero]

Part of the fuel value of calcium acetate/ethanol gel comes from the calcium acetate. When it's heated by the flames, it decomposes and releases acetone.

[@DC_DC_DC_DC]

Interesting, thanks! Roughly how many % of the total heating energy does the calcium acetate account for?

[@charlescox290]

Here's a question, what nontoxic powder can be disolved in water that is both odorless and tasteless?

[@servicetrucker5564]

This is my kind of video because I love burning stuff. Also if all my teachers were as pretty as you I would’ve gotten better grades in school. Or my grades could’ve been worse who knows

[@bread-ih9lm]

maybe it's just me but a yield amount would have been nice. how many ounces in the end?

[@TestEric]

Great video. Is the point of this to provide a safe long lasting heat, or are you actually gaining heat energy beyond the burning of the alcohol alone?

[@BloopTube]

It is rather long burning. used a lot for camping and the aforementioned event food.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

The gel form is much safer to use. Alcohols are not very viscous and will spread very quickly when spilt. And I believe since the alcohol is mixed within the gel it burn longer than just the vapors of a can of the alcohol solution.

[@raymond4794]

Hello's! If the solution of cleaning acid and chalk sticks does react like in the video, but stays white/blurry, what's wrong? I tried adding more acid, but no difference. Still some bubbles, but no visable changes, even after 10 min. In the hope somebody can help, ciao!

[@davidktd]

What if I managed to get hold of 100% acetic acid? How much is needed ?

[@randallthomas5207]

You can purchase 25% acetic acid, as a cleaning supply. I buy it at Ace Hardware, which also carries denatured alcohol as “Stove Fuel”. And now I wonder if I could use chalk line chalk to color the flame.

[@ClownWhisper]

By the way calcium chloride or would you have to convert it to carbonate

[@colleenkeener9412]

How long does it keep? And can you mix it in a metal paint can?

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

I am not certain just how long it will keep. I've always used as a lab where we would make the gel and then make smore's to learn about limiting reactants. I imagine the more air tight the container you store it in the better. As long as it is clean, a small metal paint can would work great. Especially if it has a smaller opening (like a sterno can). I only used glass in the video because it allowed us to show the gel forming and the flame better.

[@HoosierHmstrdr94]

Hello! I have to ask, where are you from? I love accents and the way you pronounce "water" is very unique!

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Hi! I am from New Jersey. I didn't even realize I pronounced it differently until this video.

[@islandblind]

Here are a couple of suggestions. First, get yourself some horticultural vinegar, intended for killing weeds. It's about 20 percent acetic acid. Secondly, if you live in Canada, you can buy methanol, in the form of methyl hydrate, at most big box hardware stores. It'll be a lot cheaper than Everclear. The trade-off, of course is that methanol is toxic.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Yes. If you can find a vinegar solution with a higher percentage of acetic acid you will need less of it (the smell will be much more potent though). Ethanol is a much safer alcohol to work with and this is why I prefer using it. Some rubbing alcohols are actually made with denatured ethanol and are much cheaper. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find any locally lately and that is the only reason I used the ethanol.

[@kevkev5935]

This is awesome. Chocolate fondue readiness kit. Check.

[@ChemCampwithMrsNewman]

Thank you!

[@andretroll3853]

YOU TUBE - Robotizado con CD4017 , NE555 Pilotos Andre❤

[@s0nnyburnett]

Thanks ATF lady