Make Rocket Fuel

Hobbyists launch scaled down models of real rockets. This simulates the experience of witnessing an actual full size rocket launch. Model rockets require fuel to be launched into the air. Fuel and fuel cartridges can be purchased at many hobby stores, but you also can make your own rocket fuel. Use these tips to learn how to make rocket fuel.

Steps

1. Preheat an oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit (150 degrees Celsius).
2. Mix the ingredients. Combine 100 g (3.22 oz.) of potassium nitrate (KN03), 50 g (1.61 oz.) of sugar, 18 g (0.58 oz.) of karo syrup and 80mL (5 tbs. or 1/3 cup) of distilled water in a saucepan.
3. Place the saucepan on a medium-high burner flame.
4. Stir to combine the ingredients. The mixture will turn clear when the cooking process is complete, which should take about 5 minutes. Wear protective gloves while cooking and handling the ingredients.
5. Pour the mixture into two pie pans. Divide the mixture equally between the two pans. Form a pool of liquid in each pan, and avoid coating the inner sides of the pie pans.
6. Put the pie pans into the preheated oven. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
7. Bake the rocket fuel for 45 minutes.
8. Remove the pie pans from the oven. Allow the rocket fuel to cool to approximately 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93 degrees Celsius) so it can be safely handled.
9. Remove the rocket fuel from the pans. Use a wooden stirrer or spoon to remove the fuel from the pans.
10. Knead the finished product together while it is still warm. Be sure to wear gloves. The rocket fuel may not readily stick together, so you may need to apply strong pressure to it.
11. Form the rocket fuel into balls or cakes. While the fuel is still warm, use your gloved hands to form shapes that will allow you to fit it into plastic containers.
12. Place the rocket fuel into airtight plastic storage containers. Seal the containers.

Tips

• Storage containers should be airtight. The rocket fuel will quickly become unusable if exposed to humidity.
• The rocket fuel cannot be reshaped. It's a good idea to pour directly into the casing immediately. If reheated the rocket fuel will likely ignite, and burn your house down and it'll be all your fault. If you want you can make a set diameter for cakes and stack them in a tube to make a rocket engine.
• Potassium nitrate is widely used as stump remover, but it can be obtained from a pyrotechnical chemical supplier or at a hardware store.
• Make sure no air bubbles form in the finished product. Doing so will create a bomb ready to go off.

Warnings

• Watch closely while the mixture is cooking so that it does not boil over or overflow.
• Some flakes of the finished product may fall while the fuel is being removed from the pie pans or formed into shapes. These flakes are flammable. Gather up the flakes and knead them back into the finished product. Do not throw them into the trash as they are combustible.
• No one should interfere with the rocket fuel making process. Witnesses should stay clear and pets should not be allowed in the area.
• There should be no open flames anywhere near the mixture at any time during the process, except for the burner used to heat the saucepan.
• The finished rocket fuel is unlikely to ignite due to shock or friction, but will readily ignite when exposed to open flame.
• Hot ingredients may splash during the cooking process and the transfer from the saucepan to pie pans. Avoid contact with exposed skin.
• Never reheat the finished product.

Things You'll Need

• Potassium nitrate (KN03)
• Sugar
• Karo syrup
• Distilled water
• Small saucepan
• Wooden stirrer
• 2 glass pie pans, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} size
• Long sleeved shirt
• Flash resistant gloves
• Airtight plastic container or containers

See also

• Light a Bunsen Burner
• Be Safe When Using a Chemistry Lab
• Locate Liquid Mercury in the Home
• Neutralize Ammonia