---
product_id: 4971961
title: "The Practical Pyromaniac: Build Fire Tornadoes, One-Candlepower Engines, Great Balls of Fire, and More Incendiary Devices"
brand: "william gurstelle"
price: "£12.57"
currency: GBP
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4971961-the-practical-pyromaniac-build-fire-tornadoes-one-candlepower-engines-great
store_origin: GB
region: United Kingdom
---

# The Practical Pyromaniac: Build Fire Tornadoes, One-Candlepower Engines, Great Balls of Fire, and More Incendiary Devices

**Brand:** william gurstelle
**Price:** £12.57
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Practical Pyromaniac: Build Fire Tornadoes, One-Candlepower Engines, Great Balls of Fire, and More Incendiary Devices by william gurstelle
- **How much does it cost?** £12.57 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.co.uk](https://www.desertcart.co.uk/products/4971961-the-practical-pyromaniac-build-fire-tornadoes-one-candlepower-engines-great)

## Best For

- william gurstelle enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted william gurstelle brand quality
- Free international shipping included
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- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Description

Full description not available

## Images

![The Practical Pyromaniac: Build Fire Tornadoes, One-Candlepower Engines, Great Balls of Fire, and More Incendiary Devices - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81xYgDNhmhL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Ambitious Experiments and Good Science History
  

*by K***R on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 12, 2013*

This book combines two elements: recipes and instructions for spectacular and fiery experiments AND narrative about the scientists of the late 18th and early 19th centuries who paved the way in the discovery of elements and the elucidation of combustion.I would say the majority of the proposed experiments are very ambitious in the materials and supplies required and construction techniques. The book is aimed at the kind of teen-aged boy who makes his own rockets out of fertilizer and sugar but a boy following this book would need an enthusiastic dad with deepish pockets. Some of the experiments involve a lot of construction only to produce a short lived spectacular flame effect. Danger looms, as the book keeps pointing out.I enjoyed the descriptions of the life and works of such scientists as Joseph Priestley and Henry Cavendish -- Gurstelle does a good job of providing entertaining cameos of these dudes.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A few good ideas
  

*by M***J on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on October 31, 2013*

There are a fair number of clever projects in this book that live up to the title, like the sound modulated flame tube, the fire tondo, and the flame thrower, but there are also a good many mundane projects like making a clay oil lamp, or the "one candlepower engine" which is simply a candle on a horizontal pivot lit at both ends. It's not nearly as good as the author's earlier 
  
Backyard Ballistics: Build Potato Cannons, Paper Match Rockets, Cincinnati Fire Kites, Tennis Ball Mortars, and More Dynamite Devices







  
  
    . The budding mad scientist will find a wider variety of really flashy and dangerous projects in 
  
Make: Technology on Your Time Volume 35: Playing with Fire: The Danger Issue







  
  
    .

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Great gift fro your friends with kids
  

*by S***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on September 20, 2011*

No, I'm serious about the title.  There are some fun experiments in here, and can teach kids both about chemistry, and to have respect for things that burn and blow up.A lot of it is pretty basic, so I think it's more geared toward adult-assisted experiments for kids.  But then, the flame thrower is really cool.  Can't wait to build that, not sure where I'll find a safe place to try it, though.

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*Product available on Desertcart United Kingdom*
*Store origin: GB*
*Last updated: 2026-05-21*