How I Mass Produced Potassium Metal In The Backyard

[@justus1810]

"Just because it is made out of pipe and it is probably going to explode does not mean it's a pipe bomb. Intention matters." - Cody's lab

[@EliasExperiments]

Well a pipe bomb is certainly something else entirely :D

[@garethjones6342]

i like the giggles that follow every time they say "safety is our number one priority"

[@Fallcon56]

Do you remember the episode he said this in?

[@justus1810]

@@Fallcon56 Sodium Water hybrid Rocket engine

[@DrHarryT]

@@EliasExperiments The difference is that the pipe bomb has no way for the pressure to escape.

[@w__a__l__e]

well im glad to see yall handled it as recklessly as i would have.. congrats!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha that's how it usually goes, when trying new things :D

[@_BLENDRR]

.... reminded me of the time I borrowed some from chemistry class and threw it in the toilet ... ... 1983 ... It was fun for me ... others weren't quite as enthusiastic ... the school Principal for one ...

[@黄蟮]

This method is good for women, but magnesium is too expensive. I will post how to get magnesium.​@@EliasExperiments

[@黄蟮]

​@@EliasExperimentsIt rushed up to the sky and fell down like white phosphorus burning

[@JaredSimpson-fw7mx]

I'm glad because it actually shows how dangerous it is instead. Actions usually make the difference not the words

[@marconiandcheese7258]

This reminds me of youtube 15 years ago. Just filming stuff without a production company behind it. I love it.

[@EliasExperiments]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching!

[@TamasJantyik]

Exactly, and this is the perfect form of entertainment for me. Random find, random events, sketchy but interesting stuff, showing pure fun and that is all. 0 marketing, 0 sales, 0 influencing... just the good stuff.

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback! However if I want to continue doing that I will have to add some marketing :P Because doing stuff like that is very expensive as you can imagine.

[@TamasJantyik]

@@EliasExperiments As long as it is not like a linus tech tips video (the whole content is an ad, kind of :D ), I am completely okay with that :)

[@TotalyRandomUsername]

Totally i will sub this guy. It is so refreshing to watch again a backyard scientist without fancy intro and logos flying everywhere.

[@brendanfields3691]

40 mins of 3 german dudes making explosive material in the most dangerous way possible in other words a great video

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha thank you for the kind feedback!

[@kiq4767]

just like the good old times

[@Old_tea]

I think one of them is slav

[@zergdip6041]

@@Old_tea I bet I heard a Russian swearing when he dropped the nut into the bucket )))))))

[@leehaelters6182]

Don't forget all the giggling.

[@OrionsKelt]

At no point was this not incredibly sketchy. Well done.

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol, thank you!

[@sentinelav]

The combination of German sensibility and unfettered chaos is immaculate... and the silly mad scientist laugh just tops it all off 😅

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha thank you for the kind feedback ;-)

[@Robocop-qe7le]

@@sentinelav the laugh is contagious lol

[@bsodmike]

Agreed!! Love it

[@czechvirusS]

feels like east germany. the mix of engineering and commie style DIY energy :D

[@sentinelav]

@Tomyum19 Lame joke

[@stevengill1736]

As a retired chemist I have to say no chemists I've known have ever described potassium metal as evil. But it's pretty cool to see it produced in quantity - cheers...

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback! Okay to be fair, I should have been more precise and said "KZbin Chemists" ;-) Wait are you the great clandestine MDMA chemist Steven Gill featured in the episode "A clandestine chemists Tale" of Hamiltons Pharmacopia?

[@drink__more__water]

@@EliasExperiments Sometimes I'm surprised by how small the world can seem on the internet lol

[@cajampa]

@@EliasExperiments He never answered.....what a tease. I am so curious.

[@rwquote]

but F is truly evil

[@digus]

Inquiring minds want to know!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

This is super cool. You might try using potassium bicarbonate instead of carbonate. It's much less hygroscopic, and it might react more slowly because of requiring more energy to decompose. It will offgas a lot of hydrogen though so maybe it's not appropriate for your setup

[@gamemeister27]

I swear the next time I have an old bed sheet I'll make that tarp with naptha and silicone! I just don't go through them very often 😅

[@teresashinkansen9402]

Isn't anhydrous potassium bicarbonate still quite hygroscopic? also it turns into the carbonate above 150C° liberating water and CO2 so I think it wont really offer benefits. it will just lower production per run due a lower amount of potassium per mass of the bicarbonate. Edit: Potassium bicarbonate is not hygroscopic but it still decomposes to water and CO2 when it heats up above 150C° to become carbonate.

[@ecoista1373]

Hi Ben, This might be worth a try. The hydrogen if above 600c might also auto ignite on the exit valve in contact with air. This project looked already very dangerous, but I'm sure they can make it work if this can be worked out. Btw, I've sent you an e-mail with an idea of combined evaporative and radiative cooling based on your paint. If you placed your radiative paint sheet inside a container with 100% humidity, could you use it to desalinate water while also lowering the temperature? Maybe some ceramic pipes... Thank you, I'm a huge fan of you and your work.

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback! Potassium bicarbonate it problematic for the reasons you stated also it would consume a lot more magnesium. I can also imagine it reacting a lot more vigorously because of that. I am conviced that adding the reaction mixture slower and using high quality magnesium is the best we can do.

[@user21XXL]

@@EliasExperiments Guys at thought emporium made a slower version of termite by adding SiO2. This would lower the K yield and produce silicates but maby slower reaction would be easier to handle. I suppose you run the reaction with theoretical stichometry - probably running it with an excess of one reagent could slow it down

[@rnts08]

Cody's lab level chaos and enthusiasm. Fun watch!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, thank you!

[@remiheneault8208]

Advanced Tinkering's skill at breaking his own made glassware is gold.

[@EliasExperiments]

It is indeed pure comedy gold :D

[@GT-yw8ue]

Ive sent this to my brother who heads up a chemical plant. I think hes going to enjoy it and probably show it to his staff.

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha that's cool

[@tarakivu8861]

In a good way, right? Right?...

[@tschak909]

You guys live on the razor 's edge of statistical probability.

[@EliasExperiments]

What are you trying to tell us with that? ;-)

[@ThylineTheGay]

​@@EliasExperimentspotassium Georg

[@Ronaldo-vs3uh]

@@EliasExperiments can we get a tutorial on how to mass produce uranium next pls 🙏

[@lucazsy]

I'm halfway through the video and I can't stop mentally singing " dumb ways to die, so many dumb ways to die...". I'm jealous though, I would love to have 1 kg of potassium. Also, I'm sure it was a fun project, challenging though.

[@EliasExperiments]

I don't think we were close to dying at any given point. I did not even get hurt a little bit in the making of this video ;-)

[@lucazsy]

@@EliasExperiments That's impressive, it looked so dangerous. I'm glad to hear it. Your video remind me that time I accidentely made rocket fuel and melted on a pit fire. It was fun until it exploded on my face.

[@EliasExperiments]

Oh that sounds horrible

[@ThylineTheGay]

​@@EliasExperiments'not close' is very relative I would personally call the first large scale batch way too close for comfort 😅

[@thomasneal9291]

That you don't think this was dangerous, and that you were very sloppy tells me you're going to regret how you "think " sooner rather than later.

[@druidplayz2313]

"I wouldnt call this improvised, its design has been refined over months" "sir this is a pipe bomb"

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha

[@annabellethepitty]

It is only improvised if made from shelf bought or scavanged parts. If it is made from purpouse built parts it is "home engineered"

[@Mark-ew9ou]

There are old chemists and then there are bold chemists 😅 I love it!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, thank you!

[@BradleyElkins-y6p]

But there are no bold old chemists.

[@hygri]

Great video!!! 27:14 It's not potassium, it's potassium superoxide. It is a explosive, yellow, explodes on contact with air and and the cause of many potassium boom booms. It also explodes on contact with potassium metal, so when you cut old yellow potassium and it gets all spicy that's why.

[@EliasExperiments]

Why would potassium superoxide explode in contact with air? It is pretty much oxidised to the max already. Also how can potassium superoxide form when we distill out potassium metal?

[@firstmkb]

I have only heard the name before, but this sounds perfectly cromulent to me.

[@evanhyde581]

@@EliasExperiments possibly because when you opened the still it allowed water and CO2 into the vessel via air, and potassium superoxide reacts with both? I don't know if either reaction is that exothermic but it's a thought.

[@hygri]

​@@EliasExperimentsI imagine because it's so hot the superoxide is violently reacting with moisture in the air. Massive exotherm and runaway. Unless you pull a solid vacuum it'll form inside the still to some extent, but also be decomposed by the heat and reduced by the metal vapor so you'd reach steady state. It probably collects around the lid where it's cooler and the air leaks are... and they're substantial owing to the amount of white smoke you're getting! Could just be molten metal reacting with air of course. Or both. Potassium stills be feisty. If you crush old potassium which is covered in superoxide (i.e. gone yellow) sometimes it explodes violently. The superoxide inclusions pressed into the metal are rapidly reduced and, if there's enough of it about, all hell breaks loose! But like all these things it's mostly pretty tame until it's not. You can handle KO2 just fine, it ain't no NaN3, but it wants to be K2O and once thermal runaway starts things get exciting very fast.

[@thomasneal9291]

Your reaction vessels are crap and leaky. That's why

[@MarcelSchr]

Wie viele Menschen da freiwillig mitgeholfen haben hat mich wirklich das ganze Video über glücklich gemacht, hab generell das Gefühl, die Science und Metal/Woodworking Community ist absolut einzigartig was Hilfe und Unterstützung angeht.

[@EliasExperiments]

Danke für das liebe Feedback, das hat mich auch sehr glücklich gemacht ;-)

[@OppenMinerDev]

Kann das absolut bestätigen, der moment, als er den Reaktionsbehälter mit dem Stock gepoked hat, hat mich gekillt. Mega sympathisch :D

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha freut mich!

[@glassbackdiy3949]

Brings a whole new level of respect for the pioneers in the early 1800's

[@EliasExperiments]

The things they were doing were a lot more dangerous, because they had a lot less information available.

[@sampfrost]

8:14 “it is very angry” i mean it’s potassium, the metals on that end of the table are all somewhat angry at the concept of existing

[@EliasExperiments]

Good point haha :D

[@aveoxus1139]

The amount of times fastening nuts fell into the water became steadily more hilarious every single time😂

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha yeah

[@miscbits6399]

There's a lot to be said for magnets

[@EliasExperiments]

It was not that big of problem, but if the nuts are ferromagnetic that is a good idea ;-)

[@laurenceperkins7468]

@@EliasExperiments You can also just tack weld the nuts onto the bottom of the flange. Don't need to go crazy, just put all the bolts in and just touch it with the welder enough that the nuts stay put during normal use, but you can still just smack them off with a hammer if they get ruined. For things that don't get this hot a little glue will usually do instead, but there aren't that many glues that wouldn't fail while this particular device was in use.

[@AdvancedTinkering]

Great video! You managed to capture a lot of the fun moments of the project 😄 I really enjoyed doing that long term project with you!

[@fabianbohnert120]

Finally seeing the video with all the results and mishaps is really great, also had a lot of fun with this project, let me know when the potassium rocket gets build

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you, I really enjoyed it too and I hope we can continue these kind of collaborations for a long time. I will get a lot faster with the editing, I promise! ;-)

[@EliasExperiments]

I will certainly let you know about upcoming projects, but realistically it will be next year until I can start new stuff. This year I have to finish editing a couple of videos and my PhD first.

[@Franklin-jj4jz]

I can't believe that you introduced a powerful oxidizer (KMnO4) into a confined vessel with two very powerful reducing agents (K, Mg). Congratulations on your new bomb design! Might I suggest instead of KMnO4 and glycerin, you place a 1-2cm layer of amorphous silicon powder mixed with 325 mesh magnesium powder (2 Mg :1 Si molar ratio) on top of your charge? Easily ignited, this mixture gently fuses to form intermetallic magnesium silicide in an extremely exothermic, but gasless, reaction. This reaction smoothly produces a dazzling white hot slag that won't make your still go boom since neither reagent, nor the product, acts as an oxidizer or a reducing agent. This isn't a redox reaction as no electrons are exchanged. The extreme temperature is the liberated heat of solution as the magnesium and silicon fuse together. Try it out by itself in a crucible beforehand. You will be impressed. Extra fun: After the crucible cools, drop the resulting Mg2Si into dilute HCl or H2SO4 and watch the pyrophoric bubbles of silane gas (SiH4) auto-ignite as they contact air.

[@MichaelT_123]

I have not watched the whole video ... but the simple KCl/NaCl+Mg+800 C distillation gives the "fantastic" result. I have tried it (on the smaller scale).... many years ago ... and I am still alive!

[@EliasExperiments]

The vessel was not confined when we introduced the KMnO4. It was open and we did this reaction many times before and nothing serious was to be expected. The problem with your suggestion is that is doesn't self ignite after a couple seconds. Also the reaction of Mg and Si is a redox reaction. It will form a Zintl-Phase with Mg2+ and Si4-. I might do that reaction as a demonstration in further videos though ;-) Other than that your suggestion is certainly very reasonable. The main problem we have though is adding the reagents at the proper speed, that the reaction will happen, but it won't explode. But with high quality magnesium that is mostly solved.

[@EliasExperiments]

With KCl and Mg we got basically nothing even far above 800 °C. Also the KCl and Mg started distilling too, so I have no idea what you did differently. If you would offer us further details, I would love to hear them ;-)

[@MichaelT_123]

@@EliasExperiments It was mamy, many years ago. If I remember ... a reasonably low pressure (vacuum) was required. BE CAREFULL! :)

[@EliasExperiments]

We did it under vacuum first.

[@yakacm]

Elias's head is so beautifully round, I don't think I've ever seen a head so pleasingly smooth, round and devoid of sharp edges, bravo.

[@vapenation7061]

well said

[@violaanderson175]

Arousing

[@Lucawee]

@@violaanderson175 okay bro

[@gamemeister27]

​@@Lucaweehomophobia smh

[@Insommer]

karl pilkington has the roundest of round heads, look him up. Has a head like a F******g orange

[@ERROR-413]

Home insurance discussion: “It was not our aim to demolish the house” 🤣🤣🤣

[@EliasExperiments]

Oh no hopefully not.

[@David-bz7pi]

"Safety is #1 concern" (or something to that effect), the first time said I couldn't get out of my head as I'm watching you spray water into the distill of death.

[@EliasExperiments]

Yeah you can never be too careful with stuff like that I guess :D

[@bobweiram6321]

Only in Germany, "All is good. We're just making Potassium over here."

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol that's not the most usual occurence haha.

[@hellskreamer]

@@EliasExperiments i wonder if nordstream was a failed potassium experiment..?

[@EliasExperiments]

I somehow doubt it :D

[@legitbeans9078]

Alles gut!

[@reanimationxp]

every time i make potassium mom comes and asks what i'm doing

[@Enjoymentboy]

I'd like to see you come back to the same spot next year and see just how much all the potassium sprayed in the field helps the plants grow.

[@EliasExperiments]

I don't think it will make a significant difference. I am there quite often actually.

[@osekkai-san]

It's so fun to see that you guys are having the time of your lives! Thank you for sharing this very fun moment with us, along with the very fun fails, too!

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback ;-)

[@rusticagenerica]

You guys work in a SCARY manner. Like catastrophic security conditions. Wishing you a long life and angels to protect you

[@EliasExperiments]

I admit that the safety was not ideal in this video, but I think you are slightly exaggarating. Thank you for the kind wishes ;-)

[@frankhaese_DrHaeseGroup]

You are out of competition and are setting new standards. I love your hands-on mentality and it feels like I'm there myself. It´s also nice to getting to know your pets. Stay safe and curious.

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback ;-)

[@Firewolf35023]

An idea, when feeding the dragon, try adding a constant supply of cold water to keep the temperature under control. I think the temperature might be getting out of control and is causing things to become “fun and interesting”

[@jercos]

At these temperatures, boiling water evaporating and cool water exchanging may as well be the same thing... they're both energy sinks, and flashing to steam sinks a lot of energy.

[@EliasExperiments]

I don't think it would make too much of a difference, but getting it submerged in water even deeper could help I guess.

[@Firewolf35023]

@@EliasExperiments well, I’m thinking of handling it the same way one would make distill whiskey. Running cold water constantly through the outer container will help keep the outer temp down. Yes the water can act as a heat sink but, it can only do so much. Plus, it’ll also help when retrieving dropped nuts or bolts. You also will be able to cool it down much quicker and safer.

[@Firewolf35023]

@@EliasExperiments but, that’s just an idea though. It may help or it may just make a bit of a mess. But, it’s worth a shot. If you want I could see about either making something or drawing something up for you

[@Firewolf35023]

@@EliasExperiments but, if you do decide to go with it, put the connection for the water hose at the bottom. That way you don’t risk melting the hose

[@TheFreak111]

Oh this reminds me of doing stupid stuff in the garden at high school, I love how you guys seem to enjoy yourselves so much. It does make the chemist in me want to make stuff again.

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad you enjoyed!

[@hellskreamer]

loved every second of this. Im no chemist, but damn, this makes me want to learn more!

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad this inspired you!

[@bryanwashere5010]

Bro, that drill-bit-drive hopper is absolutely genius.

[@EliasExperiments]

Props to Fabian for that!

[@Pr3stag3]

This is awesome i have only just found you and advanced tinkering and i have you say i absolutely love watching your videos. It's like watching friends just hanging out and doing science experiments. Please don't change anything about how you make your videos it's exactly the reason why i enjoy watching your content.

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad you like it. Of course I will try to improve the videos to make them more fun to watch, but I will try my best to keep that spirit in them, because I really love that too.

[@JohnnyX7-m3m]

Very interesting congratulations to you all! This reminded me of something I read in a book called the Goldschmidt process of aluminothermy where you used aluminum powder and ammonium bichromate to free pure chromium metal after igniting the mix

[@EliasExperiments]

It is definetly similar, but I guess chromium(III)-oxide would be more efficient or safer for that, as NurdRage has demonstrated in one of his videos.

[@blubbblubbblubbish]

Das Eure Nachbarn nicht die Feuerwehr, Polizei und das SEK gerufen haben war aber auch reines Glück glaub ich. Die müssen Euch doch mindestens für Walther White und Jesse Pinkman halten. Und überhaupt so eng wie der "Garten" da war... Da hättet ihr das auch gleich im Badezimmer machen können 😂

[@EliasExperiments]

Ich glaube Du übertreibst ein ganz wenig, aber ja da war auch viel Glück dabei. Ich würde sagen das Glück ist bei den Tüchtigen :P

[@Rob86er]

I love the new three stooges. It's not entertaining if you aren't trying to set the world on fire in the process! Bravo!

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol thank you for the kind feedback ;-)

[@tymz-r-achangin]

It's always so comforting watching others do the things we want to try but dont want the risks involved with it

[@EliasExperiments]

Trust me it is a lot more satisfying to do it yourself, but I 100 % get were you are coming from, because I often feel the same way. So thank you for the kind feedback ;-)

[@LordHolley]

No face masks, no gloves, no beathing apparatus of kind that I can see...... that's full commitment, lol. I'm glad I'm reading about this and watching it on KZbin and not the news.

[@EliasExperiments]

We did use face masks and gloves at the appropriate time. A breathing apparatus would have been overkill, because there were no vapors with significant toxicity :P

[@LordHolley]

@EliasExperiments yes I did notice at the end you started using some ppe. Regardless I did enjoy the video. Please don't take my comment too seriously. And btw, I don't know anything about this stuff.

[@jakesteampson7043]

If Nile Red and Crazy Russian Hacker had children together lol

[@EliasExperiments]

That sounds wrong on so many levels lol

[@Austin_Playz27]

thats kinda freaky

[@bsherman8236]

Ew

[@reanimationxp]

so nile green? lol

[@MarinusMakesStuff]

Wow, the crystals that formed on the top are indeed beautiful. You could make them into jewellery.

[@EliasExperiments]

The only problem is, that I don't know how long they will stay beautiful, before they oxidise. :D

[@percyvile]

Pretty dangerous jewelery

[@MarinusMakesStuff]

@@EliasExperiments I would definitely coat them in some type of UV-resistant epoxy ;) I think that will also help make it a little safer, in case it's possible to get contact burns like some people get from nickel plated jewellery.

[@EliasExperiments]

Yeah that would probably be a good idea.

[@noodlelynoodle.]

​@@percyvilenot really magnesium metal is used in tons of stuff, as long as you don't light it on fire on purpose it would be fine

[@friskydingo5370]

This is the crazyest thing i have ever seen. Totally entertaining 👏

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad you enjoyed!

[@freakystyle1996]

I am in awe. You are number one producer of potassium. All other content creators haver inferior potassium

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol thank you for the kind feedback :D

[@markhahn0]

I especially appreciated the innovative use of hand drill, liberated kitchen tools, cardboard-box-used-as-funnel. There should be more back-garden chemistry!

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad you enjoyed that, thank you for the kind feedback! ;-)

[@gyc2406]

Bro really just casually put down a whole ass brick of potasium on a desk

[@EliasExperiments]

As long as there is no water around and you are careful it should all be fine.

[@gyc2406]

@@EliasExperiments i know its just hilarious

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha

[@sage5296]

*"pulls out comically large potassium"* type vibes lol

[@ChaosPootato]

So much chaotic energy and jank setups, I love it

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha thank you!

[@alexwang007]

One of the best videos i've watched in a while, it just resonates with me

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@jesusangulosolano8375]

This video was a lot of fun to watch, it was also entertaining to see you all talking in german because you were enjoying yourselves, subscribed immediately

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@pencilme1n]

Worthwhile endeavour.😢😂❤ Huge amount of effort to make potassium to throw in a bucket of water, only to keep missing the bucket!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, glad you enjoyed it! ;-)

[@rogergriffin9893]

I am VERY surprised that the Fire Brigade didn't show up for the 2nd time in your yard. But other than the excessive smoke you guys managed it very well. Your neighbors must be used to you, Elias?

[@EliasExperiments]

That would have been bad if they showed up. Like 3000 bucks or something like that. Yeah my neighbors are used to stuff like that. If it doesn't happen too often, I won't get yelled at. :D

[@Steven-hq3go]

​@@EliasExperimentsI'm guessing if you call and tell them everything is fine ahead of time they won't come. What a strange law that you would have to pay because a neighbour calls them

[@faultboy]

​@@Steven-hq3goNot that strange, better call one time to often, large smoke plumes like this are not normal in Germany so I would probably also call or atleast investigate.

[@Steven-hq3go]

@@faultboy I was assuming he meant he had to pay $3000 for the fire brigade call out

[@EliasExperiments]

Well as far as I know if it is your fault that the fireman arrive you have to pay it and for them to arrive once costs 3000 $

[@rabidr3aper213]

Not a chemical fire extinguisher in sight. Just dudes living in the moment 🤣

[@EliasExperiments]

We had a garden hose closeby and it was so wet outside anyway we did not really have to worry about fire ;-)

[@rabidr3aper213]

@@EliasExperiments I hear motor oil mixed with Styrofoam, and gasoline will work if you're in a pinch. They say it's so sticky and viscus it will contain the magnesium fire.

[@EliasExperiments]

That sounds like a horribly dangerous idea. Table salt is probably better.

[@rabidr3aper213]

@EliasExperiments If you're looking for a powder to mix it with mix the potasium with, a bit of iron-oxide, sugar, and jist a tiny bit of amonium nitrate. Then insert that magical core through the entire length of a container full of iron oxide mixed with aluminum. In all seriousness I've been mulling over a good long term catalyst/propellent for thermite.

[@memberHD]

The way ppe is used only after something happens is relatable.

[@EliasExperiments]

Yeah more ppe would have been better :D

[@Max-we2fe]

Du bist genial. Der Dialekt ist einfach geil beim zuhören und das Video ist dennoch extrem gut geworden. Hut ab, Elias! Wahnsinn! Respekt!! Grüße aus dem Keller.

[@EliasExperiments]

Danke Dir für das liebe Feedback!

[@askanyful]

You guys had a lot of fun... Happy to see that the team enjoys doing chemistry 😅

[@EliasExperiments]

Yes it was great fun, thank you for the kind comment ;-)

[@ggoddkkiller1342]

Well educated professionals can tame even a fire breathing dragon with ease. Dragon was never any danger to anybody thanks to their efforts, bless them!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha the thing is that we created the dragon ourselves :D

[@teresashinkansen9402]

This looks like such an awesome time with buddies doing some crazy chemistry.

[@EliasExperiments]

Yes it definetly was :D With all the highs and lows.

[@wanderhillen2435]

This whole video is the epitome of "Boys don't really grow up, they just get better toys", haha.

[@EliasExperiments]

That's pretty much right, thank you for the kind feedback!

[@harrylarry8330]

I love the protective sheild 🛡 Great thinking 👍 outside the box Great video 🍻 thank you so much for inviting us along for the adventure ...👨‍🔬

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for watching and the kind feedback ;-)

[@daCount0]

Echt mutig, typisch junge Chemiker in action ... Gut, dass alle Schutzengel dabei waren.

[@EliasExperiments]

Das Glück ist bei den Tüchtigen ;-)

[@deltab9768]

I’m impressed! Managing this on a large scale and recovering a good yield is a much harder task than just demonstrating the reaction. Solid problem solving and perseverance from everyone and big props to Fabian for his fabulous metal fabrication. Glad everyone staid mostly safe, hope your hand is okay!

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you! The only one who got hurt was Advanced Tinkering by cutting himself on glass shards and on a broken twig. My hand was 100 % fine. Maybe a couple hairs got burned, but that was it.

[@Klausmp]

I made 1kg of rocket candy with a Friend when we werer like 14-15 years old. Whe used a campic burner and a thin walled metal pan. While stiring i leaned back for some reason. 1 sekond later the whole batch lit on fire with a giant flame. At leas 2,5-3m high. I lost almost all my body hair for 1-2 months. Also i spent the next 12h in the shower on a chair with warn water from behind and cold from the front. Im lucky to be alive and u guys are to.

[@EliasExperiments]

Oh wow that sounds horrible. Yeah you can never be too careful.

[@laurenceperkins7468]

This stuff isn't nearly that volatile. Temperature is about the same based on the flame colors, but you notice that the majority of the material is left as a solid, or maybe a liquid at the end of the process. Rocket candy, by contrast, converts all of the mass to gas, so the potential for an "overpressure event" is much, much higher. Not that a person *couldn't* light themselves on fire making potassium... But as long as you're wearing fire resistant clothing (wool is a good choice. Avoid synthetics that will melt to your skin if they get too hot.) it's reasonably safe at this scale.

[@Maxim.Teleguz]

Never knew German is such an interesting language when humor is involved

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol

[@tedhampe3937]

Interesting potassium harvest experiment What is a mystery to most people is how an inventor in Germany made a way to harvest Nitrogen right from the air over 100 years ago and his style Nitrogen harvester is still working in Munich

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha yeah

[@Groucho92]

Fortunately it has been raining for a week so it's safe to make potassium... lovely video guys, good mood and alchemy !

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, I am glad you enjoyed, thank you for watching!

[@wojtekbratek5156]

I need a team like that. I didn't expect that there are still young people with passion in Europe.

[@EliasExperiments]

That is so kind of you

[@maartenvanhaaften1825]

interviewer: What is your dream sir? Elias (in thick German accent): To produce more than 1000 grams of potassium metal in my backyard.

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, but that dream is fulfilled now. Next video will be with caesium metal :D

[@winkus8586]

03:37 the best funnel i have ever seen

[@EliasExperiments]

We had to improvise, because we did not have such a large funnel lying around :D

[@winkus8586]

@@EliasExperiments Don't take it as an offence. It is super quick, creative and effective solutions for the situation

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, thanks!

[@firstmkb]

@@EliasExperimentsI thought it was simply brilliance improvisation. I don’t have a powder funnel, but I have boxes!

[@Stadtpark90]

Das Runde muss ins Eckige. Halt nein, das ist Fussball.

[@TotalyRandomUsername]

Der Potassium getriebene Gartendrache. Beste deutsche Ingenieurskunst! :)

[@EliasExperiments]

Naja das würde ich vielleicht bezweifeln, aber es freut mich, dass es Dir gefallen hat ;-)

[@maroonpumpkin]

Hey man, I just wanted to say your dedication to replying to every comment is very admirable, also keep up the good work

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad to hear that, thank you for the nice words!

[@themartdog]

1:10 literally looks like some kind of pickled fish lol

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol

[@brfisher1123]

The “evilness” of potassium is just it showing you how much it absolutely *HATES* not being in its ionic form! 💥🔥🧨

[@EliasExperiments]

Yes exactly.

[@brfisher1123]

@@EliasExperiments You guys weren't the only ones getting mad as potassium was also getting mad from having its stable noble gas configuration taken away hence the fire and explosions lol 😂🤣 Don't piss off potassium by forcing it to reclaim that lone 19th electron that it absolutely hates having if you don't want any trouble lol 🤣🤣😂😂

[@EliasExperiments]

Interesting that you think potassium metal has so many emotions :D

[@brfisher1123]

@@EliasExperiments I couldn't resist joking around with potassium also being "mad" due to the frustration fueled obscenities that were used throughout this video lol 😂😂

[@romandybala]

The good thing is there will be a lot of footage at the inquest.

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol

[@merkatorix]

That's the second time I watched the experiment, the first time on this channel. I subscribed both times. How could I not know about those channels.

[@EliasExperiments]

I am glad you enjoyed, for now I am a rather small channel I guess :D

[@merkatorix]

@@EliasExperiments Depends on the metric. Let's take fireball diameter.

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol but I certainly have not filmed the largest fireballs on youtube, not even close.

[@usercurious]

Backyard industries, ahh this gives energy of some country in the 50, I don't remember, keep it going guys

[@EliasExperiments]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@ferencszabo3504]

That's why i love German folks, they are go getters! They DIY projects begin at the middle, or advanced level! No dancing around, if something isn't available they gonna peoduce it on their own! 🎉

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, thank you!

[@pegzounet]

*looks at thumbnail : oooh, nice brick color. *looks at title. *Blood drains from face. *re-reads title. *nopenopenope

[@EliasExperiments]

Don't worry it was all fine.

[@eduarddvorecky3731]

It amazes me that someone can be so smart yet so dumb. Feels relatable. Also it's funny how it escalates when paired with someone who's synchronized.

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol

[@eduarddvorecky3731]

@@EliasExperiments for example I just made a tool that costs about 200 in hour and something. On the other hand i grabbed part i welded after about minute of it sitting (fact i went trough all curse words i know in 5 languages is obvious)

[@EliasExperiments]

Everybody makes mistakes ;-)

[@Alex-to5vx]

your channel is criminally underrated, all your videos are so high quality and interesting. It's only a matter of time before the algorithm finds you and shares your channel to the appropriate degree. keep up the good work.

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback! There will be a lot more amazing stuff to come!

[@ahmetrefikeryilmaz4432]

This is what youtube was meant for. The contraption with the cordless drill is ingenious btw.

[@EliasExperiments]

I will tell that to Fabian once I get the chance, thank you for the kind feedback!

[@valkyrie9212]

Seeing them carrying the metal canister out of the woods reminds of the story of the three Russian guys that carried the radioactive portable heaters.

[@EliasExperiments]

Good thing we knew what it contained :D

[@rabidr3aper213]

Heat sink fins around the crucible would greatly increase the cooling. A second chilled tank exchange would help alot too.

[@EliasExperiments]

Sounds like a helpful, but also very expensive idea, so i am not sure if it is worth it.

[@rabidr3aper213]

@@EliasExperiments The fin exchange would be around 100USD and about the same for an empty 50gal drum cut in half and a couple fish tank pumps. Throw some ice from your freezer in there and you're golden.

[@EliasExperiments]

Hm that actually sounds good, I will look into it if I do that again ;-)

[@laurenceperkins7468]

​@@EliasExperiments For what you're doing, even just welding steel fins to the outside of the tank would probably help a lot. You can conduct a lot of heat through the steel, but the leidenfrosting at the boundary with the water reduces your effective surface area substantially. So adding more surface improves things. It also makes the tank a lot heavier though...

[@VictoryLlama]

i spend every moment when you dont upload worrying that something might finally have exploded

[@EliasExperiments]

I mean come on it was not that bad :D

[@aryansingh7209]

You really cooked thie time mate! I can't complain about it. 1kg potassium is crazy!

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you!

[@fernandopenah]

So amazed that your neighbors didn’t complain with all those shenanigans going on in the backyard.

[@EliasExperiments]

They probably didn't notice, otherwise they would have complained :D

[@mrgreenguy]

Dude, this is a great video! I love the thumbnail and title haha. Interesting to see all the work put into this project. I wonder if the explosion at 7:30 was kerosene dripping into the reaction below. If the can failed at all, I imagine dripping kerosene would essentially vaporise on contact with the burning magnesium and make a huge fireball that sends out potassium with it

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you so much for the kind feedback! I actually never thought about the explosion being caused by kerosene dripping in there. It is certainly possible, I have to check the can, if it has a hole now :D

[@ammoalamo6485]

The title should read "How I Endangered Myself and Others While Creating a Complex Lab to Mass Produce Potassium Metal in an Outdoor Setting".

[@EliasExperiments]

That would be too long and besides the point :P

[@burbonwhiscey]

The Best thing that i saw in long time

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you! ;-)

[@pasixty6510]

Great video, thank you!! I can comment this only in German to express my thoughts in the right way: Erst mal Respekt für alles. Ihr habt echt ein Rad ab, so easy Euer Leben oder ein paar Gliedmaßen zu riskieren. So waren wir früher auch drauf. I love it.

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha danke Dir für das liebe Feedback ;-)

[@qdrju007]

Superb! Dawno się tak nie bawiłem oglądając wasz materiał. Trzech Dexterów!!!

[@EliasExperiments]

Dziękujemy za obejrzenie i miłe opinie!

[@pegzounet]

15:10 cat has the most brains of the bunch ^^

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol

[@Stadtpark90]

15:06 actually

[@i64fanatic]

I love the sense of humor you both have, and the laugh that sounds like a turbo charger exhaust gate at 7:33 lol

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@AvaByNight]

another german jumping in, it's actually rather normal day-to-day german humour lol you just don't see it often translated to english

[@ThylineTheGay]

0:36 mmm, potassium biscuit

[@EliasExperiments]

Tasty :D

[@letsget3ksubswithnovideos97]

YUM YUM MY MOUTH *head explodes*

[@EliasExperiments]

Probably no yum yum at the start :D

[@sledger2066]

It’s so tasty, it creates an *EXPLOSION* of flavor in your mouth

[@Intvictus]

​@@sledger2066popping candy 🍬

[@benjamincasatimcintosh2918]

oh really cool man, you guys really captured all the frustration of trying to do something by yourself (and succeeding!)

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@legitbeans9078]

I'm happy to see the algorithm has finally given your videos some explo... I mean exposure 😄

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha, thank you for being so nice ;-)

[@V0TION]

Where safety is number 5 priority

[@samuelmellars7855]

Where safety is a factor

[@EliasExperiments]

Would be more honest. The thing is if you have safety as #1 priority you should not do anything even close to what we did in this video :D

[@bobmcbob4399]

You should have an Amazon list or something for replacement underwear for yourselves, and some more face shields, protective gear.

[@EliasExperiments]

Lol I was actually not that scared besides when we did the reaction the first time and it blew up :D

[@bobmcbob4399]

@@EliasExperiments Lucky man. Hope you guys learnt to be a little more careful around scaled up experiments at least.

[@EliasExperiments]

Yes definetly

[@1ProsperousPlanet]

We have a pressure of negative two millibars... So we have earned a Nobel prize for this work! Hahahahahah that had me dying!

[@EliasExperiments]

Haha I am glad you enjoyed, thank you for watching!

[@AcidOllie]

Even on the first attempt I'm still very impressed. Well done guys! It's a fascinating metal to refine. Good luck for the future and make sure to be careful lol. I've had a lot of unexpected explosions from 'chemistry experiments' in the past and it doesn't take much to lose an eye!

[@EliasExperiments]

Thank you for the kind feedback!

[@mxcollin95]

Love the way you guys used a bucket of kerosene as a paper weight to cover the chamber…nice touch. 👍

[@EliasExperiments]

It is not a paper weight, but a condenser, because the evaporating kerosene will condense the evaporating potassium metal.