Cheetos are a popular corn and cheese-based snack food known for their bright orange color and cheesy flavor. However, Cheetos have also gained attention for their flammability – that is, their tendency to catch fire and burn easily. This had led many to ask: why exactly are Cheetos flammable?
The Ingredients in Cheetos
To understand why Cheetos are flammable, we first need to look at what ingredients they contain. The main ingredients in Cheetos are:
- Corn meal – This provides the base and texture.
- Vegetable oils – Usually corn and/or sunflower oil, providing fat and moisture.
- Cheese – Provides flavor, usually cheddar cheese or a cheese powder.
- Salt – For flavor.
- Artificial colors – Such as Yellow 6, Red 40, etc to give the bright orange color.
- Artificial flavors – To enhance the cheesy taste.
So at first glance, there’s nothing in the ingredients that seems like it should be highly flammable. Yet when combined in the specific proportions used in Cheetos, these otherwise benign ingredients result in a very combustible snack.
High Fat and Oil Content
One of the biggest reasons Cheetos are flammable is their high fat and oil content. Cheetos contain around 21% fat, from the vegetable oils and cheese ingredients. Specifically, Cheetos are around 33% corn oil and soybean oil.
The oils allow the cornmeal to take on a crunchy, airy texture, but they also make the snack highly combustible. Oils provide fuel for combustion, allowing the snack to ignite easily.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Vegetable oil | 33% |
| Cornmeal | 41% |
| Cheese | 12% |
| Salt | 1% |
| Sugar | 2% |
| Artificial colors & flavors | 11% |
Extrusion Production Method
In addition to the high oil content, another factor is the method used to produce Cheetos. Cheetos are made using a food extrusion production process. This involves mixing the ingredients into a dough, then pushing the dough through a shaped die at high pressure.
The sudden pressure drop as the dough exits the die causes the moisture in the dough to vaporize instantly. This makes the oils and solids separate into an expanded, low-density foam-like structure. The oils rise to coat the outside of the Cheetos with a thin, oily film.
This extrusion cooking method essentially aerates the Cheetos, giving them increased surface area. More air exposure combined with the outer oil coating allows oxygen to catalyze the combustion reaction more readily.
The Flammability Physics
Fundamentally, for combustion to occur you need:
- Fuel – Something that can undergo oxidation. In Cheetos this is the oils.
- Oxidizer – Usually oxygen in the air.
- Heat – Energy to initiate the reaction, such as a flame.
The extrusion process gives the Cheetos a lot of surface area coated in oils. This allows ample fuel and oxidizer contact. The addition of heat through a flame then initiates the combustion reaction, generating more heat to sustain the burning.
The colorants may also play a role, as compounds like Red 40 are Nitrogen-based and can enhance combustion. The artificially inflated structure simply provides more fuel per volume for the fire.
Real World Flammability Demonstrations
There are many examples and videos online showing just how flammable Cheetos really are. From lighting on fire in the microwave, to acting as candle wicks, Cheetos can sustain impressive flames. Here are some examples:
Cheetos Microwave Fire
Cheetos exposed to microwave energy can quickly catch fire. The microwave agitates the oil molecules, generating heat that leads to combustion. The expanded structure provides fuel and air access. Many viral videos show impressive fireballs from microwaving Cheetos.
Cheetos Candle Wick
The oils and cheese make Cheetos act like candle wicks. Simply put, the end of a Cheeto in melted wax or oil, light it, and the snack will slowly burn from top to bottom like a wick. This works because as the oils melt, they are drawn up into the Cheeto by capillary action, providing continuous fuel.
Cheetos Powder Flamethrowers
Flaming bags or piles of Cheetos powder can shoot flames several feet. Since the powder has lots of surface area coated in oils, aWh large burst of combustion can occur, erupting flames outward. The Orange and red colors make these flame jets look even more intense.
Health Concerns of Flammable Snacks
While flammable snack foods can be entertaining, there are some health concerns to consider as well:
- Inhaling smoke or vapors – This can irritate lungs and airways.
- Potential burns – Though unlikely, direct contact with flames could cause burns.
- Harmful compounds – Combustion may produce toxic or carcinogenic compounds.
- Microwave damage – Flaming foods can damage or destroy microwave ovens.
Overall the risks are low, but certain precautions should be taken. Avoid microwaving overly oily snacks, keep flammable foods away from children, and make sure flame demonstrations are done safely.
Making Less Flammable Cheetos
If Cheetos manufacturers wanted to make the snack less flammable, there are a few things they could change:
- Use less vegetable oil – Reducing the oil content would provide less fuel for combustion.
- Add flame retardant compounds – Certain chemicals can suppress flammability.
- Alter production method – Changing how Cheetos are produced could reduce air pockets.
- Replace ingredients – Using something other than cornmeal and oil as the base.
However, altering the classic Cheetos recipe too much would change their desirable texture and flavor. A truly flame-retardant Cheeto likely wouldn’t satisfy customers.
Conclusion
In summary, Cheetos are flammable due to their high oil content and air-filled structure. The extrusion production method gives Cheetos a crunchy texture with surface oil coating that can readily combust when exposed to heat. Videos demonstrate Cheetos burning impressively as wicks, in the microwave, and as flaming powder. While the flammability risks are generally low, some basic fire safety should be kept in mind when handling Cheetos. Overall, their unique flammability comes down to how Cheetos are made – it’s just part of what makes them fun, snackable, and an internet viral sensation.