# How would you set up a working fire pit on the moon? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2015, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051 "2015-10-18T22:13:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/21 "2015-10-19T14:30:24Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > There might be potential with a gas like propane mixed in the combustor with air or oxygen and impurities to make pretty blue and yellow flames. You’d need mechanical devices to vary the angle and flow of a few dozen different nozzles to create natural-looking flames. Put some artificial wood on top that glows when heated and it might not be too bad. Yes, you could probably make a static yellow flame that way - something that looks like a candle flame. Glowing embers could probably be arranged too. But you’ll never get flames that billow and flutter. Without a pressure vessel to contain the air, all you have to work with are jets of gas escaping from nozzles and into vacuum at extremely high speed. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/22 "2015-10-19T14:46:42Z")
We might also have problems trying to cook on the Moon, I can’t find what the boiling point of water is on the Moon and it seems likely none exists … ice would simply sublimate to vapor at the near-zero air pressure … it would be very difficult to bar-b-que spaghetti. ---
**Author:** ![coremelt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@coremelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coremelt)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/23 "2015-10-19T15:08:37Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > it would be very difficult to bar-b-que spaghetti. On the other hand, it could be the perfect environment for sous-vide 😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/24 "2015-10-19T15:22:14Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > We might also have problems trying to cook on the Moon, I can’t find what the boiling point of water is on the Moon and it seems likely none exists … ice would simply sublimate to vapor at the near-zero air pressure … it would be very difficult to bar-b-que spaghetti. Last time I barbecued spaghetti it just fell through the holes in the grate. On the moon I think I’d use a pressure cooker instead. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/25 "2015-10-19T15:51:25Z")
I worry that the marshmallows would spontaneously overinflate in the Moon’s low pressure environment. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/26 "2015-10-19T19:01:04Z")
Terraform the moon then rub some sticks together. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2015, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/27 "2015-10-19T22:24:11Z")
> [@coremelt](#): > > On the other hand, it could be the perfect environment for sous-vide 😃 groan… ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/28 "2015-10-20T01:43:05Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > I worry that the marshmallows would spontaneously overinflate in the Moon’s low pressure environment. I like the way you think. We’re identifying problems, so we know what to work on for the next 15 years! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ornery\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/da6949/32.png) [@Ornery\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ornery_Bob)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/29 "2015-10-20T01:58:51Z")
Dig a pit, put a monitor in it,[play this video.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz7wtTO7roQ) Pretend that everyone is sitting on the same side of the fire to escape the smoke. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/30 "2015-10-20T02:18:13Z")
While I appreciate being the outdoors type, you really, really, _really_ don’t want to be exposed to the vacuum on the Moon without a space-suit. So it order to even enjoy the bonfire, assuming you get close enough, it’s kind of moot since you can’t feel the flame. Or stuff s’mores through your faceplate. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/31 "2015-10-20T04:12:40Z")
Maybe a specially designed hatch? Just for s’mores? ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/32 "2015-10-20T04:13:51Z")
BTW- solved the marshmallow problem. Use mini-marshmallows. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/33 "2015-10-20T04:15:03Z")
> [@Your\_Great\_Darsh\_Face](#): > > For a completely different approach, take along a sack of iodine powder and a sack of aluminium powder. Mix well, add a few drops of water, and stand back. Al + I = AlI[sub]3[/sub] and it’s plenty exothermic - you will get a flame. All the water is doing is encouraging the powders to cohere, just to get the reaction up and running - after that the heat will liquefy enough iodine to keep it running. But do you want to \*grill \*over iodizing aluminum? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/34 "2015-10-20T12:42:02Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > But do you want to \*grill \*over iodizing aluminum? Why would you want to grill freeze-dried meat over _any_ type of fire? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/35 "2015-10-20T13:07:26Z")
However you make your fire pit, remember to use common sense precautions during the dry season. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/36 "2015-10-20T14:52:40Z")
“Only YOU can prevent Lunar fires” – Smokey the Alien. ---
**Author:** ![Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blue_blistering_barnacle/32/3386_2.png) [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blue_Blistering_Barnacle)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/37 "2015-10-20T17:58:44Z")
> [@watchwolf49](#): > > “Only YOU can prevent Lunar fires” – Smokey the Alien. It’s been a mistaken policy. The lack of young trees on the moon has limited nesting options for the rare lunar warbler. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/38 "2015-10-20T18:08:54Z")
> [@Blue\_Blistering\_Barnacle](#): > > It’s been a mistaken policy. The lack of young trees on the moon has limited nesting options for the rare lunar warbler. And it’s contributed to the current water shortage there. ---
**Author:** ![chrisk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@chrisk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chrisk)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/39 "2015-10-20T18:16:40Z")
> [@cmyk](#): > > Can’t you just mix an oxidizer into something like a Duraflame firelog? > > For fire, all you need is: > > • Fuel > > • Heat > > • Oxygen > > Then just use an oxyacetylene torch to set it on fire. Be careful with that. I imagine if you mix the oxidizer in too evenly, then you’ve just invented the Megablast BombLog. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051/40 "2015-10-20T18:35:51Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Yes, you could probably make a static yellow flame that way - something that looks like a candle flame. Glowing embers could probably be arranged too. > > But you’ll never get flames that billow and flutter. Without a pressure vessel to contain the air, all you have to work with are jets of gas escaping from nozzles and into vacuum at extremely high speed. Actually I’d be willing to bet that it could be done with lots of trial and error. I think the key is a large volume of gas at very low pressure in some kind of diffuser. I’m picturing something that looks vaguely like the burner of a gas barbecue but much larger, and with multiple points of injection for propane, air or oxygen, and colorizers, specifically designed to create lots of turbulence in the diffuser and an uneven mix. But I still like my idea of an electric fireplace and a Russian BES-5 RTG. Or you could bypass the multiple steps and get a lot more excitement by just opening up the RTG. Nothing says “back to nature” like roasting marshmallows over a glowing fast-fission nuclear reaction. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-you-set-up-a-working-fire-pit-on-the-moon/735051.md?page=3)