Learn to Fire Eat?

[fracksfreakshow]

Hey. I was wondering if anyone out there would be willing to teach me to be a fire eater. Or if anyone could give me a name of someone who is. I am willing to travel if you are willing to teach. Or maybe there is just a book I can go and pick up and read to learn? Thanks

[Frisbee]

Fire eating: a manual of instruction should be available from Dube in New York...it is a great book to learn fire eating...I recommend learning to do a blast from someone who knows and not from the book...the book describes how to do it well, but to see someone do it is always a good idea.

-Frisbee

[Todd]

Frack, email me.

[The Pretty Good]

Or you can just try it. Make some torches. Get the cord from Dube. fuel them up light them Tilt your head back and dont breathe in.
dont get hurt!

[Cacoal]

It doesn't take long to get the hang of once you've started. There is a great website devoted to teaching fire manipulation. Can't remember the URL but if you do a search on Yahoo for Mephisto the Master you'll find it.

[Scot Free]

Just do it! Trial and error. Whats the worst that could happen?

[Chance]

Frack, you should know that more than one fire eater has been diagnosed with terminal cancer from prolonged exposure to gas fumes. And I personally had to jump on a friend during an outdoor show to save his life when the raw gas and flame was pushed back into his face by the wind. Just goes to show that no matter how good you are technically, there is always something else to be aware of.

[Todd]

Oh scot I hope that is you trying to be ironic.

[Scot Free]

we are talking about fire-eating right? Not blowing fireballs. I saw from your profile that you are a sword "swallower" and believe me fire-eating is much safer and easier as there is no need to learn to suppress your gag reflex.
1. Make a torch, use some kind of stick or dowel, wrap the top 1.5-2inches in tinfoil and wrap some wick around that and affix it with washers(not too big) and screws
2. Dip it in something flammable.
3. Open wide.
4. Put it in your mouth while exhaling.
(if it hurts take it out)
5. Close your mouth around the flame(watch the washers)and cut off the oxygen.
6. Take a bow.
Once you get comfortable with the fire in and around your face, try transfers off your tongue with 2 torches.
Any burns that result from fire-eating will be superficial at best and will heal in a matter of days, should be no worries for a guy who "swallows" swords.
Blowing fireballs is another story...yes it is dangerous as Chance has pointed out and yes the chemicals in whatever exelerent you use can cause cancer but so can eating at McDonalds, using cellphones and sitting in front of your computer all day participating in forums.
There are methods to safeguard against the ingestion of such nasty chemicals while blowing fireballs but the question seemed to ask about fire-eating.
No irony intended...JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy!

[young raoul]

After sticking flames in my mouth for a good ten years and another five blowing them out my ass I sure don't miss it for a moment. But,to follow the digression regarding fire breathing - I've seen many artists ingest naptha,lamp oil, kero - whatever - don't do it. I started using Lycopodium powder, and organic material which is basically crushed mushroom spores. I've taught fire-spitting to actors for theatrical effects - it's basically the same compounds you'll find in magic stores selling small vials as "dragon's breath". It tastes like crap, you have to rinse with water immediately after - but it's easily as effective as petro products and 100% safer. Never had a blowback and best of all, the Chinese purportedly prescribe the tea version as an antidote for flatulence. It's a win - win, baby. You can order it in bulk from a lab in Burbank, CA - Tri-Ess Sciences for about $40 US a pound, which used to last me for about 3 months of shows. Don't panic, it's organic and the safest, most pro way of achieving the effect.
Here's a couple of numbers: (Talk to Ira if he's still alive) (213) 245 7685 or 848 7838

If you're ordering internationally you have to go through a broker - I always ordered through a theatre - it's classified for shipping as a flammable solid, but it's really safe as hell. You can stick a torch in it and it won't burn - it has to be oxidized over an open flame.

good luck

[Chance]

Raoul, you just reminded me that the friend I mentioned below with the blowback (NOT a pretty sight) also moved on to using lacapodium powder. He also mentioned the bad taste, but said he got around that by adding fine chocolate powder into the mix. I imagine powdered sugar would also fit the bill.

[This message has been edited by Chance (edited 12-05-2001).]

[Cacoal]

Several months ago I added fire manipulation to my act and it quickly became the highlight and grand finalie to my show. Right now I do the basic stuff, extinguishing, retentions, transfers, hot soup, lighting torches from flaming cotton balls on my tongue and blasts. My question is were can I learn more, I learned what I know so far from www.fyretr.com (http://www.fyretr.com) (a great site for anyone who wants to learn) and was wondering if there were any other sites, or hopefully books on fire manipulation. I know about the book on Dube.com, does anyone know if it contains any information over and above the basics?
Thanks,
Jason <img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />

[Chance]

Cacoal,

The web site you recommended seems pretty complete. What else are you looking for in the way of instruction?

[Cacoal]

Well I'm not exactly sure, Anything really. I'm from Northern Ontario and this past summer was my first summer as a busker (a birthday clown gone terribly awry) so between being a novice and from Northern ON, I've not seen any other acts and have no way to gage what I know with what is out there. Just wondering if there were any other resources out there. But if that site is pretty complete that's great I guess I'm further along then I thought. Thanks Chance
Jason

[firegirl]

i strongly reccomend if you are intending on learning to eat fire follow these simple steps.

1. consult a psychitrist to assertain your level of sanity.
2. consult either mephisto the master or peter bendell for instruction and safety tips.
3. make yourself some baby torches (wire coat hangers, cotton & cotton thread... mephisto has a lovely design on his website.)
4. convince a friend to sit with a fire extinguisher and watch you practice... (never fire eat alone...never,not ever! ask kevin the uncanny about this...)
5. open wide and say aaaahhhhh.

~what's w/everyone wanting to learn fireeating lately?

~firegirl

[le pire]

I learned to eat fire 8 years ago; it took about 20 minutes to learn every trick some guy at the renfaire drags out into a thirty minute show. I don't really have the same respect for fire-eaters as I do for people who do something "difficult" like unicycle and juggle three torches.

I do appreciate good performance skills, and my hat is off to that guy at the renfaire for his ability to make so little go such a long way.

but frankly, any hack can eat fire; it takes some dedidication to learn a real skill.

e t i e n n e

[le pire]

ok ignore my last post, I just saw it was Frack who wants to eat fire!

Frack, I amazed you don't know yet! You're in Ohio, right? I'll be out that way later in the summer, if you don't know by then I'll gladly teach you every thing I know. (basic swallow, tongue transfer, volcano, torch sandwich, blast, etc) If you're going to be in the Washington DC area, let me know.

I HIGHLY recommend you learn to eat fire with a teacher first, and then get a book.

to make torched I used shish kebab skewers and the dube wicking.


e t i e n n e

[fracksfreakshow]

Thanks dude, frack will take that as a compliment. Don't know why it took frack so long to learn to do it but is learning now. Doing the basics stuff right now and learning more. And if you're willing to take the time to teach frack whatever frack is willing to travel to wherever, thanks.

[firegirl]

...yes, any hack can eat fire ~ but, it takes an artist to turn it into a show that people will watch over and over again...

don't you think that's worthy of respect?

any dork can learn how to ride a uni... most can learn how to juggle... play music... twirl fire... do magic... escape from a straight jacket.

this shit ain't brain surgery...

it isn't the actual stunt that's impressive ~ it's the performer. it's the ablity to entertain which is unique.

~ a slightly disgruntled firegirl

[Cacoal]

You got it firegirl!
Any hack can do a lot of these things, and I'd rather watch a good performer 3 ball juggle, then a poor performer who can juggle a chainsaw, a torch, 2 knives and a heckler on a giraffe uni, while playing the banjo with his tongue and balancing a couch on one foot. Or maybe not.
Jason tongue.gif

[fracksfreakshow]

wow frack would pay to see that

[The Had Matter]

I'm with frack on this one. I'd give it a go myself but for this dodgy knee wink.gif
<img src="graemlins/jester.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />