Like every other spirit, such as rum and whiskey, vodka often contains between 40%-50% alcohol volume. Meanwhile, a standard drink served in most bars contains 0.5-0.7 fluid ounces of raw alcohol (1ounce is equal to 30ml).
Therefore, a 1.5ounce (45ml) shot of vodka, a 5-ounce (150ml) glass of wine, and a 12ounce (355ml) bottle of beer are equally intoxicating.
But is Vodka Flammable? Can vodka start a fire? Well, while vodka may catch fire, it will be a surprise to see vodka flame up or combust.
More on that later!
Contents
What is Vodka? (Brief Overview)
The term “Vodka,” which means little water, got its name from the Slavic word “Voda” (water). It is a European clear distilled alcoholic beverage.
Although you can see different varieties originated in other countries like Poland and Sweden, the most popular one is made in Russia.
Vodka, the national drink of Russia, accompanies many family meals, especially on special occasions. The main vodkas don’t contain any additional flavors, although they are sometimes infused with cranberries, lemon peel, pepper, or herbs.
Traditionally, vodka is made by distilling liquid from fermented cereal grains, plus others like potatoes, fruits, honey, or maple sap used in recent times.
Vodka, since its inception, always has 40% alcoholic volume (80 proof). It leads us back to the question of its flammability status.
Is Vodka Flammable Or Highly Combustible?
No! vodka is not flammable or by any means highly explosive, as it contains only 40% alcohol by volume (AVB), a sequel to 80 proofs. In other words, the alcoholic content is too low to cause any incessant fire.
Well, it sounds very positive, given that it gives you the freedom to store it at home, without any real danger of causing a fire outbreak, as it doesn’t ignite or catch fire easily.
Even if it does, it won’t be a steady fire, as the amount of water that’s mixed up in it wouldn’t allow it to light incessantly.
However, much like other alcoholic beverages and spirits, if any vodka contains 60%-80% alcohol by volume (ABV) sequel to 100 proof, it stands a very high chance of being flammable.
At that stage, you will need to be very careful not to keep it too close to any naked flame sources.
Generally, the flammability status of vodka depends on its alcoholic volume of strength.
Most times, you may have to store it in a well-sealed and protected glass bottle to ensure that any risk it might result in will be at the barest minimum.
As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than Cure.”
Can A Vodka Be Lighted on Fire?
Generally, vodka can be lighted on fire, but most vodkas cannot keep up the flame for a long time. Yet, again, it all depends on the strength of the vodkas.
For instance, a very high ABV (Alcohol by Volume) vodka has a higher chance of lighting and sustaining a flame and vice versa.
Meanwhile, vodka shows a bright, steady blue flame when burning; therefore, it’s a wonderful ingredient for a round of captivating late-night burning drinks.
Yet, as we earlier said, not every Vodka burns steadily. The available vodka alcohol content is 80 proof, a sequel to 40% ABV (Alcohol by Volume); hence, not enough alcohol can sustain a burning fire or flame.
Though it might catch fire (probability is low), the water content will quench the flames.
At What Proof Can Vodka Be Flammable?
It’s very simple! If you want vodka or any alcoholic beverage to be flammable, you must ensure it contains around or over 100 proof. In other words, its alcohol by volume content should be above 50% (maybe from 60%-80%).
At this rate, the water content in it is very little that it cannot supersede that of the alcohol, and therefore, cannot overly extinguish the flame.
Many vodka brands contain 100 proof Vodka because the demand for flaming drinks and stronger alcoholic spirits is high.
However, as vodka remains a combination of alcohol and water, it won’t be easy to ascertain the actual limit to the theoretical proof of the vodka spirit.
But, generally, 100 proof is the maximum you can ever see, and that amount can cause any alcohol, not just vodka, to be flammable.
Can Vodka Start or Ignite A Fire?
Lighting a match stick to an 80 proof vodka at room temperature won’t catch fire. If you hold a lighter’s flame or butane torch to it, though, it will ignite temporarily.
If you carefully heat the vodka to a higher temperature, it produces a lot of vapors, and it can catch fire and burn energetically.
Going by the above, it is clear that vodka to start a fire depends on its alcoholic content. When it is at 80 proof (40%), it can stand a chance to start a fire, but only just.
On the other hand, once it has gotten beyond that and is in 100 proof (60% and above), you must apply caution.
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