Build A Beautiful Fire

For those around the world who look forward to a beautiful winter season and have a wood-burning fireplace (not for a gas fireplace), we want to show you how to bring a splash of color into your very silvery white world. By soaking pinecones (not previously treated) in water and table salt (yellow flame), strontium chloride from a saltwater aquarium supply dealer (red flame), or boric acid found in borax laundry detergent (purple flame), your next fire will be a real colorful treat on a cold winter night. While there are additional chemicals you can use to color fire, you must never use any substances before you are sure they are safe. We recommend using only simple substances that are already used in your household. You can obtain full, online instructions regarding ingredients, easy mixing techniques and, of course, additional ideas.