Elbow-length pair of laboratory or dishwashing gloves is preferable, but a pair of disposable latex gloves will also work just fine. Clear goggles, like the kind worn in chemistry labs, are ideal, as they provide full coverage without hindering your vision.
Use a kitchen scale to portion out your ingredients to make sure you have exactly the right amount of each. It’s recommended that you do your mixing in a disposable drinking cup. That way, you can simply throw it away once you’ve completed your experiment. If you use a measuring cup or similar container instead, be sure to wash it thoroughly before reusing it.
Sugar-based model rocket fuels are sometimes known as “R-Candy. " They work by feeding a steady supply of oxygen to the burning sugar via an oxidizer (in this case, potassium nitrate) to create a powerful, sustained form of combustion.
You may need to use a spatula or similar utensil to scrape the last of the Karo syrup out of its measuring container.
If possible, set up a portable burner outside far away from any other flammable substances. Never heat rocket fuel on a gas cooktop or over an open flame! Combustible chemicals plus fire can make for a disastrous combination. [6] X Research source
Be careful not to stir the mixture too fast, or you could accidentally send it sloshing out of the saucepan. Your rocket fuel may also come out a slightly lighter hue, depending on whether or not the heat causes the sugar to caramelize. [8] X Research source
The mixture will be extremely hot when it first comes off of the burner, so avoid touching it until it’s had a chance to cool to a safe temperature. Make sure your new surface is completely free of debris. Any other particles your rocket fuel picks up may interfere with its ability to burn.
If you allow the rocket fuel to cool too much, it may begin to crumble or fail to hold its shape. Be sure to gather up any small pieces that happen to come loose and knead them back into the bulk of the mixture. These pieces will be highly flammable.
Loading up your fuel as soon as its finished cooking can also be a convenient solution if it’s gotten too crumbly to shape by hand. Once you’ve loaded, pack it down firmly using the end of a wooden dowel or a similar tool. Trapped air bubbles in the fuel could cause the rocket to explode when lit. [12] X Research source
If you don’t have a suitable container handy, place the molded fuel to a large plastic zipper bag. Make sure you squeeze all the air out of the bag prior to sealing it. Never put your rocket fuel in a glass container. If an accidental ignition were to occur, it could send shards of glass flying in every direction. [13] X Research source As long as it’s kept away from air and moisture, your homemade fuel should stay combustible more or less indefinitely.
You could also store your rocket fuel in the refrigerator to make absolutely sure that it doesn’t catch. Just be sure to label your container if you go this route so you won’t mistake its contents for food.
