Almost everyone loves marshmallows and nothing can feel more disappointing than not being able to roast them. Sometimes, people find themselves in a situation where they can’t use a normal fire. In such cases, what can one do?
As a marshmallow lover, you may have asked yourself “Is it safe to roast marshmallows over a candle, lighter or gas stove?” Roasting marshmallows with a candle or a gas stove will be safe, however, certain variables may affect their efficiency.
The best way to do it will always be with a normal fire as you will be able to judge how much time you need to roast your marshmallows more efficiently. The size and intensity of the flame play a very important role after all. Here, we will take a look at all the different possibilities and why they may or may not be as efficient as you think.
Each of the above options can provide a certain amount of heat and therefore will be more or less efficient than the other. Here is where they stand when it comes to roasting marshmallows.
Table of Contents
Is It Safe to Roast Marshmallows Over a Lighter?
Roasting marshmallows over a lighter can work but it isn’t recommended as it takes a lot of hassle and rarely ends up being worth the trouble. Lighters are designed to create a quick flame for lighting something up quickly. They are not made to be used for a long time as they will get very hot quickly. Holding the marshmallow while also trying not to burn your hands will always be a hassle and can lead to a lot of accidents.
There is also the issue of lighter fluids as some can be more toxic than others. Any toxic component should be avoided completely when it comes to food items. Unlike candles which state whether they use petroleum products, it’s more difficult to know what type of lighter fluid is being used.
Is It Safe to Roast Marshmallows Over a Gas Stove?
You can roast marshmallows safely on a gas stove but the flame needs to be set on medium or you might end up burning them. Natural gas has about 94 percent methane and small quantities of ethane, propane, butane, and so on. On combustion, it mostly breaks down to carbon dioxide and water, which makes it safe.
The only slight risk you may have is if you accidentally drop the marshmallow onto a flammable object but that can happen no matter what you use. You can also easily adjust the flame according to how you like your marshmallows making gas stoves the most efficient choice out of the three options.
Is It Safe to Roast Marshmallows Over a Candle?
A candle is a pretty good way to roast marshmallows as it melts them well. There are a few variables through which will impact how well or how safe it would be to roast them. When you are using a candle to cook or roast any food item, you must use only non-toxic candles. The ones that are ideal for roasting marshmallows would be soy or beeswax candles as they are 100 percent natural.
Candles made of paraffin wax might not only make it unsafe but will also change the taste of marshmallows. If the candle has petroleum components (even if it is very little) or lead, avoid it at all costs. However, do note that it may not be very efficient to use a candle for roasting marshmallows as a small gust of wind could put the flame out.
How to Cook Marshmallows with a Candle
If you don’t have access to a gas stove and have candles with you, here is how you can cook marshmallows properly. Before we get to the instructions, it is important to have other important accessories with you such as a marshmallow skewer and multiple non-toxic candles if you plan to make s’mores with your kids. If you have wooden skewers, then make sure that you dip them in water for 15 minutes first. By making them wet, they won’t catch on fire when you put them on the flame.
- Light up your all-natural candle or candles.
- Use the skewer to place the marshmallow over the candle flame.
- A candle flame is not as strong as a campfire or a gas stove, so it will take time to roast the marshmallow. Make sure you are sitting or standing comfortably when doing this.
- Turn the skewer to make sure that the marshmallow is getting heated all over.
- Lower or raise the skewer to toast them as per your preference.
Once the marshmallows have been cooked the way you like, you can sprinkle them or dip them in hot chocolate and enjoy. If you have enough time and want to have a great time with your friends or family, a candle is a great alternative to roasting marshmallows. It may not be as efficient as a gas stove but it is still a lot of fun.
Do note that scented candles should never be used to cook marshmallows as they affect the taste pretty badly. Even if the candle itself has an amazing fragrance, it won’t carry over to the marshmallow when it comes to taste. Instead, always go for non-scented all-natural candles as they won’t affect the taste.
Conclusion
It is safe to roast marshmallows in any way you like as long as you use a little common sense and stay safe. Lighters are one way people roast marshmellows, you just have to be extra careful not to get lighter fluid on the marshmellow which is probably easier said then done. Of these three methods, I would probably avoid this one.
A gas stove is also ok to roast marshmallows with, as any toxic chemicals are destroyed during the combustion process leaving only carbon dioxide and water which is harmless. Finally, Candles may take a while to roast a marshmallow but it is completely safe to do so as long as the candle doesn’t have any toxic chemicals in it like petroleum components or lead. Always read the labels!
I hope this article helps you with your marshmellow roasting needs. S’mores are one of my favorite foods, but you don’t always have a campfire nearby!