From:Tuck-Leong A, Lee - Subject: Easter Fire recipe
Anybody's got a recipe for the Easter Vigil fire? How much charcoal?
Instant type? BBQ type? How much kerosene? How much wood?
Any stuffs to add for spectacular effects? geee... so many questions :)

Recipe for Instant Fire:
Printer version of this recipe

In a large aluminum foil container pour enough salt crystals to cover the bottom of the container about 1/2 inch thick. Saturate the crystals with rubbing alcohol. Place the pan on wooden blocks or bricks so that the heat doesn't damage the table you place it on. Let the alcohol soak into the crystals for a few seconds and then light.

Don't do this indoors!

Ice cream salt or epson salt both work. Each produce a beautiful flame. Have a heavy piece of cardboard or a piece of plywood a little larger than the pan you are using to slide over the pan to smother the flames.

With a little imagination one could simulate a bon fire by having wood pile around the pan. It's also not a bad idea to have a fire extinguisher handy in an emergency. You might also want to practice this first.

You can use a long piece of pasta (spaghetti) to light the Paschal Candle. Just set fire to the spaghetti and light the candle with it. Of course everyone knows that candles are easier to light if then have been pre lit and allowed to burn for a few seconds.

Alcohol burns cooler than kerosene and other fire starters so this method is safer than most.