Most people are aware that sparklers are very hot, but what is the temperature of a sparkler? How hot are sparklers actually burning? There are a variety of reasons that someone might wonder about this topic, but most importantly is safety. Sparklers are one of the only items that are very hot and you hand to younger children. Knowing exactly what you’re getting into before you start handing things out is always a great idea. Here is what you need to know about the temperature of a sparkler.
How Hot are Sparklers?
Simply put, sparklers burn at a temperature between 1800° and 3000° Fahrenheit. Most people cite the temperature to be 2000° Fahrenheit, but this is a generalization. There are a number of factors that determine what the temperature of a sparkler is. Everything from the length and diameter of your sparklers to the color that they burn changes their hottest temperature. Here are some common variations of sparklers and their approximate temperatures.
Gold Sparklers
Gold sparklers are accepted as the hottest sparkler available. There is less filler and no color pigments added to gold sparklers to cause lower temperatures. These are typically labeled as wedding sparklers or metal wire sparklers, and come in a variety of sizes. Though the length and girth of the sparkler can affect its overall temperature, they typically have a temperature of around 2400° Fahrenheit.
Color Sparklers
Color sparklers do not have as high of temperatures as gold ones, and that is due to the added color pigments. To create colored sparklers, you also need binding agents and other fillers. Though they still have a temperature of around 2000° Fahrenheit, color sparklers aren’t nearly as hot as gold ones.
What is the Temperature of a Sparkler that is Long vs. Short
Commons sense should tell you that fatter sparklers should reach higher temperatures, but what about length? Since sparklers perform at a stable rate, their length doesn’t affect temperature as much as you’d think. After about 15 inches, the wire core will have reached maximum temperature. Everything after 15 inches should have around the same temperature.
Of course, longer sparklers typically tend to be thicker as well to support the additional weight. So even though length doesn’t drastically affect temperature directly, it’s a pretty safe bet that the added girth will add some extra heat.
What is the Temperature of a Sparkler that is Made from Bamboo vs. Metal
Most people have the misconception that metal would be hotter than wood like bamboo. However, the steel wire core found in most sparklers is actually ideal. Metal conducts heat very efficiently, and thus stays cooler. Additionally, metal doesn’t burn, so there’s no smoldering period after it fizzles out.
On the other hand, bamboo will actually ignite and smolder as the sparkler performs. That leads to significantly higher temperatures. Furthermore, it can continue to smolder after it has fizzled out, and that can create safety and fire risks. Bamboo sparklers are the hottest option available, so knowing your manufacturing materials is vital to what is the temperature of a sparkler.
Advantages of Hot Sparklers
While many people may not think there are advantages to hot sparklers, there actually are a few. First off, the hotter a steel wire sparkler gets, the cleaner it performs. That means less residuals and byproducts, which leads to virtually smokeless wedding sparklers. Also, hotter sparklers create brighter and larger sparkles, so they actually make for a better show.
Are They Less Safe?
Many people are concerned that higher temperatures mean more risk. However, the temperature of a sparkler doesn’t play as large of a role as how you come into contact with it during its performance. Wondering what is the temperature of a sparkler is irrelevant if you don’t follow good safety practices because all sparklers can cause serious injury. As long as you follow good safety practices, how hot a sparklers is won’t be an issue.
As you can see, there are a lot of factors that play a role in what is the temperature of a sparkler. Variables like length girth, color, and manufacturing materials will all affect their temperatures. Regardless of their intended use, the temperature of a sparkler is something that you should always consider carefully.
