Witch Soot

Saturnalia

Does anyone remember Witch Soot powder? It came in a sachet and was sprinkled on a lit open fire, which then burnt with amazing multicoloured flames. Purples, reds, blues, greens... The purpose of it was to stop excess soot gathering in the chimney, to stop chimney fires.

I remember my parents using it when I was a child in the 80s. My flatmate and I would like to throw some on our fire now (as much for the visual effect as for its cleaning powers!) but we can't find any reference to it on Google at all, and now I'm starting to doubt it ever existed or did I imagine it as a child? (Or more likely, has it been found to be harmful and banned?)

Anyone else remember it or know where we can buy it (or similar?)

Owain_Moneysaver

There's a recipe for 'BBQ Sprinkles" here which sounds similar.

Basically you throw the insides of a firework on the fire and stand very well back.

Warning: This may all go horribly wrong and end in tears.

lostinrates

I noticed one of the executive toys type catalogues selling something to throw on fires... I wanted it...hang on will have google...


Edit
http://www.presentsformen.co.uk/mystical-fire-magic-colour-changing-flames-prod9380/


Could this be the stuff? I really wanted this stuff but.....couldnot justify it. Now, if i could argue it had a benefit to the chimney i would perhaps be able to!

Mrs_Chip

I have used somethig in the past - came in a sachet bought in the local hardware shop.

This is the sort of thing, but I don't know if it has all the pyrotechincs!


This does - shame it's in America!

craigywv

potato skins clean it when burnt on fire too

Skint_Catt

Firecones don't clean but burn with colours.
http://www.northernlightsstore.co.uk/

C xx

oldtractor

Yes our local shop sells it. I have used it but I can say if its effective t soot removal or not. I does burn pretty colours.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

I think the Witch stuff might have been withdrawn. I looked at the Hydrachem website and couldn't find it - and the trademark expired in 2010.

But if you look on eBay, there's Sorcerer and Wizard powder (under chimney cleaner) and I expect they do exactly the same.

And one called Merlin.


I think there may be a common theme here.......

Butterfly_Brain

They do it on Amazon as well
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_15?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=chimney+cleaner&sprefix=chimney+cleaner%2Caps%2C154

Maurice8

Saturnalia said:

Does anyone remember Witch Soot powder? It came in a sachet and was sprinkled on a lit open fire, which then burnt with amazing multicoloured flames. Purples, reds, blues, greens... The purpose of it was to stop excess soot gathering in the chimney, to stop chimney fires.

I remember my parents using it when I was a child in the 80s. My flatmate and I would like to throw some on our fire now (as much for the visual effect as for its cleaning powers!) but we can't find any reference to it on Google at all, and now I'm starting to doubt it ever existed or did I imagine it as a child? (Or more likely, has it been found to be harmful and banned?)

Anyone else remember it or know where we can buy it (or similar?)

I think you mean this:
I've had this in the garage for 30+ years, inherited from my parents, and was thinking of trying to sell it, but as we have an open fire occasionally and haven't been able to have the chimney swept for a bit, I might start using it unless I can get more for it than a modern equivalent costs (there are a few brands available online, in either sachets or large tubs). I haven't found any indication that an old one might now be dangerous. It originally cost 1/9 (8.75 pence!). The only references I've found are an advertisement in a paper of 1956, and another reproduced by someone in Twitter giving the prices of 1/9 and 2/9.

annieb64

My Dad used to use it.