[504] in Humor
HUMOR: Fun with Science
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Andrew A. Bennett)
Thu Oct 20 10:29:39 1994
To: humor@MIT.EDU
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 1994 10:09:54 EDT
From: "Andrew A. Bennett" <abennett@MIT.EDU>
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 1994 17:03:00 -0600 (MDT)
From: Espacionaute Spiff domine! <MATOSSIAN%ARIES@VAXF.Colorado.EDU>
If you want the pictures from the following report, get a machine on
the net with a Web browser and check out:
http://cbi.tamucc.edu/~pmichaud/toast/
- ------- Forwarded Message
STRAWBERRY POP-TART BLOW-TORCHES Last Updated: 19 August 1994
Author
Patrick R. Michaud, pmichaud@cbi.tamucc.edu
Abstract
Strawberry Pop Tarts may be a cheap and inexpensive source of
incendiary devices. Toasters which fail to eject Pop Tarts cause the
Pop Tarts to emit flames 10-18 inches in height.
Introduction
Last year, an article by well-known newspaper columnist Dave Barry
noted that Kellogg's Strawberry Pop Tarts (SPTs) could be made to
emit flames "like a blow torch" if left in a toaster too long. Given
previous work in the field of food-entertainment (see Fun With Grapes
- A Case Study), it was obvious that this was a new frontier that
requires further exploration. The present work describes our
independent verification and experience with SPT-based combustion.
Materials Used
Only two basic materials are needed to cause SPT-combustion: a
(hopefully inexpensive) toaster and some Strawberry Pop Tarts (Figure
1). In this work, the authors used Kellogg's Strawberry Pop Tarts
with Real Smucker's Fruit. SPTs can be obtained either with or
without frosting; the non-frosted variety were used for this
experiment.
Figure 1
Figure 1. Toaster and Strawberry Pop Tarts
In addition to the basic materials, a number of safety-related items
were needed to conduct this experiment. First, a suitable location for
the experiment was required, it being expected that the kitchen was
not the appropriate place for blow-torching SPTs. The author's
driveway was chosen as a suitable site. Second, an appropriate means
for extinguishing the SPTs would be needed; a research assistant
brought along some baking soda for the purpose.
Experiment Preparation
The toaster and SPT both had to be properly prepared for this
experiment. In order to guarantee that the SPT would receive
sufficient heat to begin combustion, the toaster was set to its
highest setting and the lever was jammed in the "down" position using
adhesive cellophane. A SPT was removed from the box and its protective
packaging and carefully placed into the toaster slot (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Preparation of Toaster and SPT
Next, the toaster and SPT were taken to the driveway, and an extension
cord was arranged to provide power to the toaster. At this point, we
were ready to begin the experiment.
Figure 3
Figure 3. Toaster Prepared for SPT combustion
The Experiment and Observations
The toaster was plugged in. First the toaster went through a normal
"toasting" cycle (approximately 60 seconds), which more than
thoroughly cooked the SPT (since the toaster was set to its darkest
setting). By this point we could definitely detect a burnt SPT aroma.
The toaster then attempted to eject the SPT, but was prevented from
doing so by the adhesive cellophane. The toaster then began emitting
loud rattling and buzzing noises due to its inability to eject the
SPT.
(At this point the researchers became somewhat concerned that the
noise from the toaster would wake the neighbors and attract undue
attention. However, we decided that we were already committed to the
experiment and that the neighbors would be able to sacrifice some
sleep in the name of science.)
Soon thereafter, large amounts of smoke began pouring out of the
toaster. The researchers noticed that some of the neighbors down the
street were beginning to get a little curious, but the experiment
proceeded nonetheless. Approximately 40 seconds later, small flames
began licking their way out of the toaster. The flames steadily grew
larger and larger until reaching a maximum height of about 18 inches
above the top of the toaster. Figure 4 presents a time-series collage
of the flames emitted from the SPT.
Figure 4
Figure 4. Time Series Photograph of Flaming SPT
As the flames were reaching their maximum height, the toaster abruptly
stopped making buzzing noises. We speculate that the flames had by
this point shorted the electronics within the toaster. The toaster was
quickly disconnected from the primary electrical source to avoid any
potential damage to the author's house. At this point, the researchers
also realized that the heat could inadvertently melt the adhesive
cellophane and cause the flaming SPTs to suddenly eject from the
toaster. Unfortunately, this did not occur. The flames continued for
several minutes.
At this point there was some slight concern that the flames might take
considerable time to diminish. We then enlisted the help of a
reluctant research assistant to sprinkle baking soda on the flames.
(The reluctance was understandable given the potential for premature
SPT ejection described in the above paragraph.) The baking soda
quickly extinguished the flames and produced still further smoke
(Figure 5a).
Figure 5
Figure 5. Extinguising the SPT
Once the flames were extinguished, the researchers noted an
unanticipated problem: what to do with the (now defunct) toaster and
the spent SPT. It became obvious that the toaster could not be
returned to the author's house due to both a continued potential fire
hazard and the smell of burnt strawberries. In addition, it was noted
that the toaster was still "too hot to handle," necessitating the use
of a nearby garden hose to cool the toaster off. This is illustrated
in Figure 5b. Finally it was decided to just leave the toaster by the
curb for the sanitation experts to pick up the next morning (Figure
6.)
Figure 6
Figure 6. Toaster Disposal
Summary and Recommendations
In summary, overcooking the SPT did produce a good size flame. The
effect was not as pronounced as the researchers had hoped, but was
satisfying nonetheless. The research assistant noted that the flames
produced did appear to have some color variation. We believe that
frosted SPTs may successfully produce even larger torches. Further
research in this area is warranted.
We did desire to repeat the experiment with the remaining five SPTs,
but we could not do so because there were no more suitable toasters
available for further experiments. In the future, we recommend that
toasters be sold in six-packs to accomodate important SPT research.
Instead, the remaining SPTs were sacrified over the course of the next
several days in private, undocumented consumption experiments.
Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Jennifer "Svetlana" Reckard for her suggestions and
proofreading of this work.
Followup Comments
_________________________________________________________________
Patrick R. Michaud/pmichaud@cbi.tamucc.edu
