How to Make a Flamethrower

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Last Updated: December 11, 2024 Fact Checked

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Lighter (Minimum Flame)

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Can (Medium Flame)

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Super Soaker (Maximum Flame)

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Q&A

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Tips

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Warnings

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Things You'll Need

Do you want to build a flamethrower to impress your friends? Are you super bored? Flamethrowers are actually incredibly easy to make and require minimal tools (at least for basic, more unsafe versions). Read the steps below for instructions on making 3 different flamethrowers, each with a different level of output. Some may be more difficult to make than others.

Let's be real for a minute here guys: These things are super dangerous. You're undertaking this at your own risk. Don't make us start handing out Darwin Awards.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Lighter (Minimum Flame)

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You can buy these from most small stores.
It should snap or pull off but you can also use pliers.

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Turn the adjustment wheel all the way to the plus side (usually the right).^{[1]
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Lift the tab up so that it isn't touching the wheel and turn the tab all the way back to the left.
You can do this several times to turn it up as much as possible.^{[2]
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Be careful. You should get a 3"+ flame. You can readjust as necessary.
Take it up a notch by spraying WD-40 or engine degreaser at the flame. Hold both far from your body and away from other people and flammable objects. It will make a HUGE flame.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Can (Medium Flame)

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1
Place rubber bands. Place two rubber bands around an aerosol can.
- You can use a can of Axe, hairspray, whatever.
Place the wall bracket (that should already be bent into a 90-degree angle) under the rubber bands so it's held onto the can somewhat securely.
3
Get a sticky surface. Break off a bit of that plasti-tak and put it on the bottom of the candle (you can also use a lighter).
- Alternatively, you can use chewing gum.
Attach the candle to the wall bracket using the plasti-tak or other sticky substance.^{[4]
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Line up the candle wick with the sprayer tip on the aerosol can.
Be careful.
Don't spray towards anything flammable. Be careful.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Super Soaker (Maximum Flame)

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It should be able to build and maintain pressure well, be made of high quality plastic, and hold a good amount of liquid.^{[5]
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You'll need a metal bracket, either flat or an L bracket depends on the gun you buy. Attach the bracket to the gun, so that the flat metal comes out parallel with the ground, about 1" below the nozzle.
Wrap the gun around the nozzle with tinfoil, so that only the open is exposed (and exposed as little as possible). This will help keep the gun from melting.
Fill the water reservoir with lighter fluid.
Attach a candle to the end of the bracket. You can use tacky, gum, or anything that isn't glue.
Light the candle using your preferred method.
Don't forget to pump it first.

Community Q&A

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Question

What is the legal status of these improvised flamethrowers?

Community Answer

Flamethrowers are legal in most of the US, they only have some regulations in like California. Be sensible, as throwing them at people, animals or dry vegetation is not legal and you'll get into major trouble if injuring anyone or harming the environment and causing property loss.

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Question

How do I prevent the flame from reaching the fuel reservoir?

Community Answer

Fire it in shorter bursts, if it is crawling up the stream, stop firing for a moment.

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Question

Is it okay to use gasoline to make a flamethrower?

Community Answer

If you can atomize the fuel (make a fine mist), then kerosene or diesel would be better. Gasoline is more flammable and more apt to climb back into the fuel tank.

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Tips

If the flame goes out frequently, then move the candle down just a bit.

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Don't use glue, because when the candle burns out, you will probably want to replace it.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

In California, you must have a permit to possess a flame throwing device. You can get one from the Office of the State Fire Marshal if you pay a fee of $425 a year and pass a background check.
You can also use other flammable liquids like spray deodorant, spray paint, silicone lubricating spray, cooking spray, and wasp killer.
Always have a fire extinguisher nearby in case the flame gets out of hand!

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Warnings

If you are outside (you should be), shoot it in the direction of the wind. If you fire into the wind, it might blow the flame backward.

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You might want to do this outside.

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If the sprayer tip catches on fire, blow it out and wipe it off.

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Use with extreme caution.^{[6]
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Things You'll Need

An aerosol can that holds a flammable substance inside. (ex. Hot Shot wasp and hornet killer)
two rubber bands
A 90 degree angled small wall bracket( that you can bend- preferably)
Plasti-tak
a heavy-duty match or a birthday candle