Is there a way to either a) cook an egg with a lighter, b) boil water with a lighter or c) cook 2 minute noodles with no hot water
I want to do these but on camp and my resources are limited to a pot, eggs and 2-minute noodles. Is there any way to do at least one of the above? (Preferably the noodles?)
Best Answer
Physics time. First the basic data:
- A lighter holds a few grams of butane (Bic apparently 4.5 g).
- Butane has an energy density of 49 MJ/kg (i.e. 49 kJ/g)
- It takes 4.2 J/g/°C to heat water.
- I assume you want to reach 100°C, are starting at 20°C and don't evaporate any (this carries away a lot of heat).
- I further assume you can get all the heat from the lighter into your pan without losses.
That lighter then holds 220 kJ of energy. This is enough to heat 655 g (just over a UK pint) of water to boiling point. So you've just about got the energy but have you got the power? Time for another assumption: a lighter puts out a similar amount of heat to a candle (40--80 W, I'll use the higher figure).
Those noodles probably need you to heat around 200 ml of water. That means delivering 4.2*200*80 = 67.2 kJ of heat. At 80 W that will take 840 s, or 14 minutes. Bringing an egg to the boil (eggs are mostly water and you'll need some water to contain the egg and transfer heat to it) will be similar.
In reality it will take longer as you can't avoid losing some heat. The lighter may not survive being run continuously for that long, so I'd say it's highly impractical. People have been known to use a few candles to heat water; with a good windshield/pot skirt you just about get something usable, but not really practical.
Pictures about "Is there a way to either a) cook an egg with a lighter, b) boil water with a lighter or c) cook 2 minute noodles with no hot water"
Can you boil eggs in noodle water?
I've had no problems boiling eggs in the same pot as my rice or pasta. I usually place them very gently into the boiling water.Can you cook an egg with a lighter?
Bringing an egg to the boil (eggs are mostly water and you'll need some water to contain the egg and transfer heat to it) will be similar. In reality it will take longer as you can't avoid losing some heat. The lighter may not survive being run continuously for that long, so I'd say it's highly impractical.Can a lighter boil water?
Starting with boiling water offers more control over timing but this may cook the whites into a rubbery state. And it has another disadvantage: The egg is more likely to crack because the air in the egg has less time to escape as the egg heats up.Cook the noodles and the eggs this way the result is amazing 😋 and easy to make 👌
More answers regarding is there a way to either a) cook an egg with a lighter, b) boil water with a lighter or c) cook 2 minute noodles with no hot water
Answer 2
You can absolutely "cook" instant noodles in cold water - it just takes longer. The soup flavorings are a different matter as they require a bit of heat to get the oils melted. Having never tried this, I can't say for sure, but I would think the oils will be melted at body temp - so stick the packet down your shirt or against your skin for a while, and they should melt enough to make the soup.
As for eggs - if you are taking them backpacking, I would strongly suggest hard boiling them before you go. That way you don't need to a) worry about them cracking and spilling egg everywhere (and rendering them inedible with shell bits), b) increasing the shelf-life, and c) ease of consumption - no need to heat.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Klaus Nielsen, Gary Barnes, Uriel Mont, Teona Swift