Test Information:
	Test Subject: Standard Twinkie Control Subject: Standard Twinkie Accelerant: Isopropyl Alcohol Test Location: Lovett barbecue pit, Rice University Start Time: Tuesday, May 2, 1995 22:28 CST Stop Time: Tuesday, May 2, 1995 22:47 CST

Test Description:
	To test the rapid oxidation qualities of a Twinkie, one was set on fire and observed.

Observations:
	Figure 1:Twinkie scientist Chris Gouge deftly holds an as-yet moist sponge cake, slightly charred Before Test: Before the test, both the control and the experimental Twinkies appeared within the range that would be described as a "normal" Twinkie. Immediate Results: In our first attempt to check the oxidation properties, we tried to use a Bic lighter to set the Twinkie on fire. We did not have much Figure 2:Dramatic time-lapse sequence showing the initial blue flame (top), the vivid orange flame (middle), and the quizzical black flame (bottom) success. The portion of the Twinkie in direct contact with the flame turned black (see Fig. 1), but the Twinkie itself did not catch on fire. The control did not change. Our hypothesis is that since the Twinkie is a "moist sponge cake", it is too wet to burn. To solve this problem, the Twinkie was doused in a large quantity of rubbing alcohol. We hypothesized that by the time the alcohol had burned off, the "moist sponge cake" would have turned into a "dry sponge cake", increasing the probability that it would burn. When lit, the Twinkie immediately burst into flame. However, since both scientists had seen those nifty natural gas TV commercials (and Chris is a firefighter), we were able to recognize the cheery blue flame as an alcohol fire. After a minute or so, the blue flame was replaced by a vivid orange flame (see Fig. 2). At this point the entire Twinkie began to turn black. Creamy filling began to ooze out of the side of the Twinkie, and drip from the holes in the bottom. After several minutes of flaming Twinkie, the fire went out, leaving a charred mass with brown liquid oozing out of it. It was really cool. Throughout this process, the control did not change. Long Term Results: Once the fire was out, the burned Twinkie did not change, except that the oozing liquid quit oozing. There was still no change in the control.

Conclusions:
	Twinkies actually burn quite nicely once they are dried out.

Possible Applications:
	After careful analysis of the results, we feel that Twinkies could be an acceptable substitute for firewood in some situations. They are especially ideal since, while the Twinkie is within its freshness period guaranteed by Hostess, it will remain moist, and therefore not burn until an accelerant is added, thus removing the possibility of premature Twinkie combustion.

Last edited July 17, 1999