Fuel is the one thing that separates fire manipulation from every other performance art. Get it right and you have the foundation for everything youโll ever learn. Get it wrong and youโre dealing with consequences that range from underwhelming technique to genuine danger.
This is one of the most commonly asked questions we get. Before you go putting fire in your face, you need to understand whatโs going into your body, why it matters, and which fuels are actually available to you based on where you live.
First: What Makes a Fuel Suitable?
Fire eaters donโt just grab whateverโs flammable and hope for the best. The choice of fuel is a technical decision driven by one key property: flashpoint.
Flashpoint is the lowest temperature at which a liquid fuel produces enough vapour to form an ignitable mixture with the surrounding air. Itโs not about how hot the fuel burns. Itโs about how readily it gives off vapour at ambient temperature, and that single number determines almost everything about how a fuel behaves in fire manipulation.
Fuels broadly split into two camps:
- Low flashpoint fuels โ flashpoint below 0ยฐC (32ยฐF). These are volatile, evaporative, and ignite almost instantly. Theyโre the workhorses of fire manipulation.
- High flashpoint fuels โ flashpoint above 40ยฐC (104ยฐF). Less volatile, slower to ignite, and limited in what techniques they support. They have a specific role but arenโt a general-purpose choice.
Understanding this distinction isnโt just academic. It directly determines which techniques you can perform, how safely you can perform them, and what you should look for when sourcing fuel in your part of the world.
Low Flashpoint Fuels
Low flashpoint fuels are what most fire eaters use for the majority of their practice and performance. Their volatility is a feature, not a flaw. Because they evaporate readily at room temperature, they produce the fuel vapour needed for core techniques like vapour manipulation and body trails. Without a low flashpoint fuel, entire categories of fire manipulation simply donโt work.
Coleman Fuel
Coleman fuel is the standard. Itโs widely available, reasonably priced, and performs consistently. In the UK and Europe it typically comes in one-litre plastic bottles. In the US youโll find it in larger one-gallon metal cans. If you can get Coleman fuel where you live, this is almost certainly your first choice.
Shellite (Australia and New Zealand)
Shellite is the Australian and New Zealand equivalent, and in some ways it outperforms Coleman. It has a higher vapour pressure, which means body trails burn bigger and more dramatically. If youโre in Australia or New Zealand, Shellite is your go-to.
Primus Power Fuel (Europe)
In parts of Europe where Coleman can be difficult to source, Primus Power fuel is the most reliable substitute. It performs at a comparable level, though itโs worth knowing that the point of ignition sits slightly closer to the skin than with Coleman, which means techniques can feel marginally hotter. Not a dealbreaker, but something to be aware of.
Zippo / Ronsonol Lighter Fluid (Global Fallback)
Lighter fluid works as a genuine fallback if you genuinely canโt access anything else. The downside is cost โ it comes in small quantities and the per-litre price makes it impractical for regular training. Use it in a pinch, not as a long-term solution.
High Flashpoint Fuels
High flashpoint fuels are more commonly associated with fire breathing (where low flashpoint fuels are genuinely dangerous โ more on that below) but they do have a specific role in fire manipulation: body burning.
Body burning is the technique where a performer slowly passes a lit wick across their skin in a way that appears fireproof. It requires a fuel that wonโt trail fire along the skin after the torch has moved on. High flashpoint fuels donโt readily ignite along a trail at room temperature, which is exactly what makes them suitable for this technique. Attempting body burning with a low flashpoint fuel leaves a fire trail โ not the look youโre going for, and considerably more risky.
High flashpoint fuels are also sometimes used by beginners as a stepping stone, since theyโre less volatile and slightly more forgiving in certain situations. That said, they severely limit whatโs possible technically, so theyโre not a long-term training fuel.
Isopars (Global, ExxonMobil)
Isopars are the gold standard for high flashpoint fuels. Produced by ExxonMobil, they burn exceptionally cleanly with very low aromatic content, which matters for long-term health. They can be difficult to source in many countries, though in Australia and New Zealand theyโre readily available in retail outlets. Elsewhere, industrial chemical suppliers are often the most reliable route โ worth the effort if you can find them.
Bird Brands Clear Lamp Oil (UK)
In the UK, Bird Brands Clear Lamp Oil is a well-established choice. Many BBQ lighting fluids are also suitable โ the key is to check that the flashpoint falls in the right range and that the product is a liquid fuel rather than a gel.
Lamplight Ultra Pure Lamp Oil (US)
In the US, Lamplight Ultra Pure Lamp Oil is the most commonly used high flashpoint option and is popular with fire performers across the board.
What Each Fuel Can and Canโt Do
This is where the theory becomes practical. Not all techniques are possible with all fuels. Hereโs a clear breakdown:
| Technique | Low Flashpoint | High Flashpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Jellyfish extinguish | Yes | Yes (slightly less likely to reignite) |
| Fire eating | Yes โ full fireballs, shoot the moon | Limited โ no big fireball, shoot the moon not possible |
| Body trails / fuel transfers | Yes โ essential | No โ wonโt ignite along the trail |
| Body burning | Possible but leaves a fire trail | Yes โ ideal |
| Vapour manipulation | Yes โ essential | No โ the physics wonโt allow it |
The core point: if you want access to the full range of fire manipulation โ vapour tricks, body trails, fireballs โ you need a low flashpoint fuel. High flashpoint fuels are a specialist tool, not a replacement.
If You Canโt Find These Fuels Where You Live
The brands listed above cover most parts of the world, but fire manipulation is practised everywhere, and regional availability varies. If none of the fuels above are accessible to you, you can find suitable alternatives by comparing safety data sheets (SDS). Look for three things:
- Flashpoint โ must fall in the correct range for your intended techniques (below 0ยฐC for low flashpoint, above 40ยฐC for high flashpoint)
- Aromatic content โ aim for below 2%. Lower aromatics means cleaner burning and less toxicity exposure over time.
- Vapour pressure โ compare to the known-safe fuels above. Very high vapour pressure can mean more volatile behaviour than expected.
If a fuelโs safety data sheet gives you those numbers and they fall in the right ranges, itโs worth testing. If the data sheet is missing or the supplier canโt provide it, donโt use it.
The Critical Warning: Never Use Low Flashpoint Fuels for Fire Breathing
This is not a guideline. Itโs a hard rule.
Fire breathing involves spraying liquid fuel from the mouth across a flame. With a high flashpoint fuel, unburnt fuel that lands on skin or clothing doesnโt ignite readily. With a low flashpoint fuel, any unburnt fuel that contacts skin or clothing ignites almost immediately. The result is burns that are fast, unexpected, and serious. Low flashpoint fuels should never be used for fire breathing under any circumstances.
Fire eating and fire breathing are very different techniques with different fuel requirements. Donโt confuse the two.
Fuel Toxicity: What Youโre Actually Ingesting
This is the part most guides skip, and itโs the part that matters most for long-term participation in fire manipulation.
Every fuel used in fire eating is a hydrocarbon. None of them are intended for ingestion. The question isnโt whether theyโre toxic โ they are โ itโs about understanding the exposure pathways and managing them intelligently.
The most dangerous pathway is the lungs. Fire cannot exist inside the lungs (the conditions donโt allow it), but hydrocarbon fuel vapour absolutely can enter them. The lungs have an enormous surface area and absorb vapour efficiently. This is why holding a deep breath โ around 80 to 90% lung capacity โ before any technique that involves vapour in the mouth is non-negotiable. It physically prevents vapour from reaching the lungs.
The second pathway is the digestive system, via swallowed saliva that contains condensed fuel droplets. This is mitigated by rinsing and spitting after every burn. Plain water works. Adding a small drop of dish soap to the final rinse helps break the hydrocarbon bonds, removing residue more effectively.
The third pathway, the oral mucosa (the lining of the mouth), is actually the least efficient for absorbing hydrocarbons. Saliva is water-based and doesnโt mix well with non-polar fuel compounds โ it provides a natural barrier.
Managing Toxicity Over Time
The habits that protect you are simple and consistent:
- Always hold a deep breath before any vapour technique
- Donโt swallow saliva during burns
- Rinse and spit after every burn
- Rest at least one full day between training sessions (ideally two or more) to allow the liver and kidneys to process and recover
- Never train or perform under the influence of alcohol โ alcohol stresses the liver, which is also processing fuel compounds. After heavy drinking, wait 48 to 72 hours before fire practice
These arenโt optional extras for the cautious. Theyโre the difference between fire manipulation as a sustainable long-term pursuit and something that takes a toll on your body.
Note on high flashpoint fuels and toxicity: Higher flashpoint fuels tend to be less volatile, which means less vapour is produced at room temperature. This generally results in lower inhalation exposure compared to low flashpoint fuels. Itโs one reason theyโre sometimes recommended as a starting point โ but the habits above apply regardless of which fuel youโre using.
What About Paraffin / Kerosene?
Youโll see paraffin (kerosene) mentioned in older guides and on various fire performance forums. It has a high flashpoint and has historically been used by fire breathers and some fire eaters. Itโs not recommended here for a simple reason: its aromatic content is typically higher than the fuels listed above, meaning more toxic load per session. When cleaner alternatives exist and are accessible, thereโs little reason to use it.
Where to Buy
For Coleman fuel, camping retailers are the most reliable source โ both physical stores and online. In the UK, retailers like Go Outdoors, Cotswold Outdoor, and Amazon typically stock it. In the US, REI, Walmart, and Amazon all carry it.
For Shellite, major supermarkets and hardware stores in Australia and New Zealand carry it as a cleaning solvent.
For lamp oils (Bird Brands, Lamplight), home goods stores and Amazon are your easiest routes.
For Isopars, industrial chemical suppliers are often the most reliable source in most countries. In Australia and New Zealand, theyโre readily available from retail outlets.
The Bottom Line
Fuel choice is not a detail. Itโs one of the foundations of fire manipulation done properly. For most people starting out, Coleman fuel (or your regional equivalent) is the right choice. Itโs accessible, well-understood, and supports the full range of techniques youโll want to learn.
If you want to go further โ to understand exactly how these fuels behave in your body, how to set up a safe training space, and how to build the technique foundation that makes all of this work โ thatโs what the Fire In Your Face Academy covers in depth. The free safety course is a good place to start before you ever light your first torch, and the full curriculum takes you from your first jellyfish extinguish all the way through to vapour manipulation and beyond.
If youโre also thinking about equipment, our hollow fire eating torches are designed for exactly the kind of progressive learning this article describes โ built to support every technique from your first jellyfish through to advanced vapour work. And if you want to take things further still, Nitro Grips change how the torch performs entirely.
Get the fuel right. Get the habits right. Everything else builds from there.
Tom Makinson is the founder of Fire In Your Face, a fire manipulation training school. He has trained over 1,000 students in person, builds the hollow fire eating torches used by performers worldwide, and runs the Fire In Your Face Academy โ online courses covering everything from your first jellyfish extinguish to advanced vapour manipulation.