◄◄◄ From Hand Sanitizer to Bioethanol: Adventures in Chinese Popcorn Cannon Combustion ►►►I fell down a rabbit hole trying to find the perfect fuel for my traditional Chinese popcorn cannon (yes, it's a real thing, and yes, you probably want one). This tabletop pressure cooker builds up steam before releasing kernels in one magnificent explosion - making fuel choice surprisingly important.My journey began with COVID-era distillery-made hand sanitizer (waste not, want not), which worked reasonably well until supplies ran dry. Next came isopropyl alcohol - convenient but problematic, leaving my cannon cosplaying as a 19th-century chimney sweep with sooty black residue everywhere. Propane felt like bringing a flamethrower to a candle party - effective but excessive. I nearly went with denatured camping alcohol before discovering it produces formaldehyde fumes - not exactly the seasoning I wanted on my popcorn.Enter Roundfire bioethanol - the latest contestant in my increasingly bizarre fuel odyssey.■ WHAT'S IN THE BOTTLERoundfire premium bioethanol comes in a 1-liter bottle with an integrated "flashback resistor" (which sounds like the kind of safety feature that makes me nervous about why it's needed). The product boasts:- 96% pure bioethanol (with 4% mystery ingredients)- Smoke-free operation (mostly accurate)- Eco-friendly composition (compared to fossil fuels)- Designed for fires, stoves, and burnersAt $50 for three 1-liter bottles, it's reasonably priced for specialty cooking fuel, especially compared to the alternatives I've tried. With our twice-weekly popcorn sessions, these 3 liters should last us 5-6 months, making the cost quite reasonable when you get your setup dialed in.✓ THE GOOD STUFF- Burns significantly cleaner than isopropyl alcohol - no more soot-covered cannon- Decent price point compared to alternatives- More controlled burn once you get the wick height dialed in (I've found 0.3" to be the sweet spot)- No formaldehyde fumes trying to embalm my popcorn (always a plus)- Perfect for its intended fireplace use with visually appealing flames✗ THE CONCERNING STUFF- **SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE**: One bottle arrived with a failed seal and leaked during transit - extremely concerning for a liquid specifically designed for combustion purposes that was apparently just leaking the whole time it was being shipped- Burns with more yellow flame than I expected from ethanol (which should burn primarily blue)- The mysterious 4% non-ethanol content seems deliberately designed for visual effect rather than optimal clean burning- Leaves slight yellow coloring on my popcorn cannon after extended use- Stronger corn/alcohol odor than anticipated - exactly as you'd expect but more intense※ PRACTICAL POPCORN CANNON TIPS- Controlling the wick height is essential for minimizing yellow flame and residue (0.3" works best in my setup)- Works well with a tea light stove setup for consistent heat- After tweaking the setup, I've been able to eliminate most of the yellowing issues- Counter-intuitively, I've found that hotter burning flames actually reduce prep time AND prevent burning - slower cooking increases the chance of scorched popcorn- Despite the yellow flame, it's still the best option I've found after experimenting with nearly everything short of rocket fuel► THE VERDICTFor its intended use in decorative fireplaces, this fuel seems perfect - the yellow flames are likely a feature, not a bug. For my peculiar popcorn cannon application, it's about 3.5/5 stars - not perfect, but the best option I've found in my quest through the flammable fluids aisle of life.If you're looking for reasonably clean-burning, relatively safe fuel for indoor heat applications, this is a good choice. Just check those seals when your package arrives, and maybe keep a fire extinguisher handy - just in case your shipment decides to pre-ignite itself in transit.**Question for Roundfire**: I'd love some insight on what comprises the 4% non-ethanol additives and why my flames are burning yellow rather than the blue-white I'd expect from pure ethanol. Is this intentional for visual effect in fireplaces?

As a health cascious person, I made sure to check out the ingrediants before purchasing. After some intense research and deep dive into the world of ethanol fuels (don't worry I didn't get lost in the flames), I was excited to verify this is safe for edible consumption! Toast all the s'mores your heart desires without any worries about your snack's safety.This fuel burns clean and steady, providing a long lasting flame perfect for cozy indoor hangouts or backyard marshmallow roasting marathons. Seriously, you can get through multiple batches of s'mores before the flame runs out. Talk about firepower!!In conclusion: if you are looking for a safe, long lasting, marshmallow melting fuel to go with your tabletop firepit, this product is the way to go. It's like the fuel for your dreams. 10/10 would burn again!!(So sorry for all my puns)

I love this for inside because it does not smoke so no smoke getting the walls dirty.

The price is reasonable, and the fuel lights up effortlessly, making it very convenient to use. One of the best features is that it doesn’t produce any smoke or unpleasant odors, which makes it perfect for indoor use or any situation where air quality matters.

Rinde mis poco y precio muy elevado

Bought this fuel for a table top firepit. Works very well, burns clean, no smell and is nice and warm.