Is It Safe To Roast A Marshmallow Over A Candle?
The Sweet History of Marshmallow Roasting
Roasting marshmallows over an open flame is a beloved campfire tradition that brings back fond childhood memories for many people. The practice of skewering marshmallows on sticks and holding them over a fire to create a warm, gooey treat has been around for over a century.
According to historical records, the first marshmallows were handmade using the sticky sap of the marshmallow plant and honey. These early “marshmallows” were considered a delicacy and used as medicine. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that marshmallows became mass-produced as the sweet confection we know today.
The earliest accounts of roasting marshmallows over fire date back to the Victorian era in the late 1800s. Campfire gatherings were popular activities, and roasting marshmallows was considered a fun treat. The joy of patiently roasting a marshmallow to get that perfect golden-brown exterior while the inside becomes melted and pillowy is a timeless experience.
Safety Concerns
Roasting marshmallows over an open candle flame can pose some safety hazards that are important to be aware of. The main concern is the risk of fire. Candles are an open flame source, and bringing flammable items like marshmallows close to the flame can lead to accidental burning or catching things on fire (Airscenty). Marshmallows are made of sugar and gelatin, ingredients that can easily melt and ignite when brought too close to a flame source. The liquified marshmallow can then drip onto the candle or surfaces below it and spread fire quickly.
Indoor candle marshmallow roasting brings added risks. If an accident occurs, the fire can rapidly spread to surrounding combustible items like furniture, rugs, curtains etc. This can quickly turn into a dangerous house fire situation. Outdoor fires are generally safer since the open air environment contains the fire, but indoor candle fires can rage out of control (Quora). The US Fire Administration reports that candles cause around 9,000 house fires each year, so roasting marshmallows over candles, especially indoors, requires extra safety steps.
Recommended Safety Tips
When roasting marshmallows over a candle, it’s important to follow some basic safety tips to prevent injuries or accidents:
First and foremost, supervise children closely when they are roasting marshmallows. Do not let young children get too close to the candle flame unsupervised. An adult should be within arm’s reach at all times.
Second, have water nearby in case the marshmallow or stick catches fire. A spray bottle filled with water or a bowl of water can quickly extinguish any accidental flames.
Third, use long roasting sticks that keep hands at least 12 inches from the flame. Long skewers, specialized roasting forks, or sticks can prevent burns. Avoid using short sticks or fingers to hold the marshmallow (Girl Scouts, n.d.).
Following these basic precautions can prevent most injuries and make marshmallow roasting over candles a fun, safe activity.
Alternatives to Candles
While candles may seem like an easy option, they actually pose some safety risks and potential toxicity when roasting marshmallows. Instead, there are several cleaner, safer alternatives to candles that won’t release harmful chemicals onto your marshmallows:
Electric marshmallow roasters are a popular alternative, consisting of a metal skewer with a plastic handle and electric heating element. These roasters plug into an outlet and heat the skewer safely to the ideal temperature for roasting marshmallows without any open flame. Leading brands like Nostalgia and Olde Midway make electric roasters that are inexpensive, safe for kids, and easy to use.
Battery-powered marshmallow roasters offer the convenience of electricity without any wires. These cordless roasters use AA batteries to heat the skewer, providing complete freedom of movement. The Safari and Kikkerland brands make quality battery-powered roasters perfect for on-the-go roasting.
Solar marshmallow roasters harness the power of the sun to roast marshmallows using a parabolic reflector. Brands like Sunnibiq and MalloMe have designed solar roasters that evenly reflect sunlight onto the skewer, slowly roasting marshmallows without any other heat source needed. Solar options are eco-friendly and work during daylight hours.
These candle alternatives allow you to roast marshmallows safely and evenly, avoiding the risks and potential toxins from candles. Investing in an electric, battery, or solar powered marshmallow roaster ensures worry-free roasting for the whole family.
Best Candles for Roasting
When selecting candles for roasting marshmallows, smaller candles like birthday candles, votives, and tealights are the best options. These types of candles are designed to burn for 1-6 hours, making them ideal for roasting over a short period of time. Here are some top recommendations:
Birthday candles are a classic choice as they are very small and made to safely burn for a short duration. Look for birthday candles that are 2-3 inches tall for roasting marshmallows. Be sure to extinguish and replace the candle once it burns down.[1]
Votive candles are a bit larger than birthday candles, so they will last a bit longer when roasting. Choose glass votive holders so you can monitor the melting wax. Replace the votive once half the wax has burned down. [2]
Tealight candles are a nice mid-size option between birthday candles and votives. Look for metal tealight holders to prevent wax drips. Replace tealights after 1-2 hours of burning. [3]
Marshmallow Roasting Techniques
When roasting marshmallows over a candle, there are some key techniques to follow for safety and optimal flavor. According to threads on Reddit (https://www.reddit.com/r/NoStupidQuestions/comments/d55e5g/can_i_roast_a_marshmallow_over_a_candle/), it’s important to rotate the marshmallow slowly and evenly to get an even roast without burning. If the marshmallow does catch fire, it’s best to gently blow out the flame rather than waving it around.
For the classic melted marshmallow for s’mores, it’s best to heat the exterior until brown while keeping the interior soft. Going low and slow over the candle flame gives you the most control. Some prefer to roast over a lower-temperature candle like a tealight versus a standard taper candle. If the flame flares up, keep blowing gently until it subsides.
When making s’mores, opt for using chocolate over the marshmallow first, then use the heated marshmallow to melt the chocolate slightly. The Reddit thread advises soaking skewers in water first to prevent burning your hands. Avoid plastic skewers near candles due to melting risks.
Making S’mores
The classic s’more recipe calls for a graham cracker, a piece of a chocolate bar, and a toasted marshmallow. Here’s how to assemble this tasty campfire treat:
- Place one full graham cracker on a plate or napkin.
- Break a piece of chocolate bar and place it on top of the graham cracker.
- Use a fork or skewer to roast a large marshmallow over the candle or campfire until warm and lightly browned.
- Place the hot toasted marshmallow on top of the chocolate.
- Top it with another graham cracker and gently press down to sandwich the fillings.
For variations, try using different cookies like chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies instead of graham crackers. You can also add extras like peanut butter cups, caramel, bacon, nuts, or fruit between the layers. Get creative with different chocolate types and flavors of marshmallows too.
To make s’mores indoors, use a candle, camping stove, or even the oven. Skewer the marshmallow and hold it low over the candle flame, rotating slowly until golden brown on all sides. Be very careful not to get too close to the flame when using candles. For a foolproof method, toast the marshmallows in the oven using the broil setting for 2-3 minutes1. Keep a close eye on them as they can burn quickly.
Other Campfire Treats
Beyond classic s’mores, there are many other tasty treats you can make over a campfire. Three popular options are grilled bananas, pineapples, and cookies.
Bananas can be placed directly on the campfire coals to roast. The banana peel will blacken and burn, but this actually caramelizes the fruit inside creating a sweet roasted banana flavor. Just be sure to rotate the banana every few minutes for even cooking. The banana is ready when the peel is completely blackened and Split open the peel to enjoy the gooey, sweet roasted banana inside (Source).
Pineapple slices can also be roasted right on the coals. The high sugar content caramelizes to create a delicious grilled pineapple treat. Skewer pineapple chunks on a stick for easy cooking over the flame. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly charred. The juicy pineapple will be perfectly sweet and smoky (Source).
Finally, cookies like chocolate chip, peanut butter, or homemade cookie dough can be warmed over the campfire on a roasting stick. Place a ball of dough or even a pre-baked cookie on the stick and hold it near (not directly in) the flames, rotating gently until the cookie is gooey and lightly toasted. Melty campfire cookies are a fun and easy camping dessert.
Final Safety Tips
When roasting marshmallows over candles, it’s important to keep these final safety tips in mind:
- Use long roasting sticks so your hand stays far from the flame (https://www.quora.com/Can-I-roast-a-marshmallow-over-a-candle). Keep sleeves rolled up.
- Supervise children at all times (https://www.amazon.com/toasted-marshmallow-candle/s?k=toasted+marshmallow+candle).
- Keep candles on a stable, nonflammable surface away from flammable items (https://kccandlecompany.com/products/toasted-marshmallow).
- Extinguish candles before leaving them unattended.
- Have a bowl of water nearby to fully extinguish candles and matches.
- Don’t try to roast marshmallows over large open flames like campfires or burning wood.
Following basic precautions will allow you to safely enjoy the fun of candlelit marshmallow roasting. With adult supervision and long roasting sticks, kids can join in while learning about fire safety.
Conclusion
Roasting marshmallows over a candle flame can be an enjoyable experience, but it’s important to keep safety in mind. With adult supervision, using long roasting sticks, and being careful not to get too close to the flame, it can be done relatively safely. For a foolproof s’mores experience, it’s better to use a campfire or backyard firepit. But with the right precautions, candles can be a fun alternative for indoor marshmallow roasting. The key is avoiding loose clothing or hair coming in contact with the flame, using a sturdy candleholder, and monitoring children carefully. With these common sense tips, marshmallow roasting over a candle in special occasions can create lasting family memories. Just be sure safety comes first.
