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SFReader Forums > SFReader > Ask The Expert > Burning Oil

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T A Markitan
aka Wicked

Date Joined Dec 2007
Total Posts : 165

Posted 4/26/2008 7:58 PM (GMT -4)

I looked up olive oil earlier, but it seemed to be a rather safe lamp oil. I need something volatile.
Hmm. Ale is flammable, isn't it?

I do horrible things to punctuation.

"careful what you wish
you may regret it
careful what you wish
you just might get it"
Metallica~King Nothing

Greybeard
Stablehand

Date Joined Mar 2006
Total Posts : 30

Posted 4/26/2008 5:37 PM (GMT -4)

Olive oil comes to mind.

Cod liver oil?

Edwin

crystalwizard
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Nov 2006
Total Posts : 4586

Posted 4/26/2008 5:35 PM (GMT -4)

olive oil burns. Most cooking oils burn. The wood will catch faster than the oil, though. Have him wad up some cloth, stuff it under a corner of the inn or something and catch the cloth on fire. Don't have him SOAK the cloth though or the fire won't catch well.

To experiment, go to the lumber store, get some cheap wood similar to what your inn is made of, get an old t-shirt, take a small bottle of cooking oil and go out into the back yard. clear a spot of dirt, use a fire pit, drag out the bar-b-que or use some bricks to make a safe spot to light fires and spend a while using up kitchen matches on oil soaked and non-oil soaked cloth and wood.

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T A Markitan
aka Wicked

Date Joined Dec 2007
Total Posts : 165

Posted 4/26/2008 5:28 PM (GMT -4)

I am in a quandary.
One of my characters engages in a bit of arson, pouring oil down the wooden wall of an Inn. Since fuel oils are pretty much out of the question, what would his choice be for starting a suitably fast moving fire?
It would have to be an oil readily available in your average medieval inn. Animal fat is on the top of my list, but it congeals when cool, and my character would have to heat it in order to pour it.
Suggestions?

I do horrible things to punctuation.

"careful what you wish
you may regret it
careful what you wish
you just might get it"
Metallica~King Nothing

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