Is it safe to roast marshmallows over a sterno flame?
It's become common practice around my apartment to use a sterno to roast marshmallows because it's easy, cheap and (primarily) because we can't have a campfire in my living room.
Is this dangerous?
Best Answer
After contacting Sterno with the same question, they indicated that the only safe gel product for direct food heating is marked “ethanol” on the canister. Those marked “methanol” are not meant for direct food heating.
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Quick Answer about "Is it safe to roast marshmallows over a sterno flame?"
IMPORTANT: Some people may be concerned that Sterno isn't safe to use to roast s'mores, but according to the company, it is perfectly safe to roast food. Sterno ethanol gel burns safe and clean and is endorsed by Green Restaurant Association.Is Sterno fuel safe for roasting marshmallows?
The Sterno 20262 S'mores Heat is a safe and clean-burning fuel made from renewable sources and non-toxic ingredients, specifically formulated for cooking. This set contains (2) cans of fuel that are designed for roasting marshmallows on the Sterno S'mores Maker (sold separately).Can you cook food directly over Sterno?
The Sterno website has a consumer FAQ that seems to imply that Sterno is fine for cooking. They just caution you against cooking directly over a Sterno flame because dripping food can cause flareups.Are Sterno fumes toxic?
It contains 66.0% ethyl alcohol, 3.4% methyl alcohol, 3.3% acetone, 2.0% nitro- cellulose and water, and is poisonous when ingested. The following report is the first one of carbon monoxide poisoning from Sterno, but it in- dicates a potential hazard in the many circumstances in which the product is used.Is it safe to roast marshmallows over an alcohol flame?
So If you are looking for a fuel that is safe to roast marshmallows over and also has a nice looking flame, then your best bet will likely be an ethanol or alcohol based fuel that burns clean. Again, be sure to check the label of any fuel you buy to be sure it's food-safe.Roasting Marshmallows Over a Flame
More answers regarding is it safe to roast marshmallows over a sterno flame?
Answer 2
Sterno suggests this use in multiple ways. On their site they have a pdf recipe for smores "indoors" that instructs you to roast the marshmallows over a can of Sterno. They also manufacture a Smores-n-more set that is really just a ceramic pot with a grill that you place a can of Sterno in to keep people from getting too close to the open flame. My guess is that they wouldn't do this if it weren't safe as they be opening themselves up to a lawsuit.
Answer 3
Sterno is (roughly) alcohol mixed with gel. The same type of alcohol (ethanol mixed with enough methanol to make it poisonous) is commonly used in marine stoves because it's considered to be quite safe: it doesn't explode and it can be extinguished with water.
Alcohol also burns cleanly and quite completely, so there are essentially no methanol molecules in the flame that could land on your marshmallows and harm you.
Answer 4
There are 2 types of Sternos out there. There IS a type that burns something harmful for open-flame-to-food cooking.
I believe it's an older way of making them though and that Sterno just makes the "safe" ones today.
Just wanted to put this out there though. I own a Sterno can that is probably over 7 years old and it says to not eat food that touches the flame, but the new ones say they are safe.
Answer 5
Look at the bottom of a water pan and the carbon that collects there and you will have your answer.
Also, there is no assurance of level of methanol to ethanol
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