Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?

If you have some gold jewelry or medals in your home that are not being used for any purpose, then you may be tempted to melt that gold down to build something else with it. And if that is the case, you have to figure out a way to melt that gold.

Using a blowtorch to accomplish that task may seem like a good idea. But, can you melt gold with a blowtorch?

The good news is that you can actually melt gold with a blowtorch provided that the blowtorch can generate a sufficient amount of heat. You don’t need to buy an industrial-grade induction furnace to melt it.

However, it should be noted that not all household blowtorches have a high thermal output. As gold’s melting point is remarkably high (1,948°F), you need to have a powerful propane or butane blowtorch in order to melt it.

In this article, we’ll discuss in depth whether or not a blowtorch is capable of melting gold. Furthermore, we’ll also go through the step-by-step process of melting gold with a blowtorch. So, without any further ado, let’s start.

Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?
Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?

What is the best way to melt gold with a blowtorch?

Melting gold with a blowtorch is not a simple task. In fact, it is quite dangerous and you should not attempt it if you’re not proficient at using a blowtorch. If you’re not careful, you may start a fire in your house.

On the other hand, if you use a weak blowtorch like the Bernzomatic TS 1500, then you won’t be able to burn the gold down.

Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?
What is the best way to melt gold with a blowtorch?

First, you have to collect all the necessary tools for the job. Here’s a list of those tools:

Now that you have all the things you need, it’s time for you to go through the following steps to melt the gold:

Heat the Crucible

Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?
Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?

First, take a crucible and heat it up with your blowtorch. Next, sprinkle some borax on top of it so that it can glaze the surface. After that, put your gold in it and sprinkle a little bit of borax on it.

Place the Crucible on a Metal Dish

Can You Melt Gold with a Blowtorch?
What is the best way to melt gold with a blowtorch?

Take a metal dish or a used tuna container and then place the crucible inside it. Take a strong blowtorch like the Bernzomatic TS 8000 and start to heat the gold slowly. It is by far the best torch for melting gold. Make sure the borax is completely melted, before you get the blowtorch close to the gold.

Use an Air Compressor

Use an Air Compressor

A regular blow torch cannot melt the gold completely if you don’t modify it to generate a warmer flame. That is why you have to take an air compressor and start blowing compressed air into the side vent of the blowtorch. This will enhance the blow and make it hotter.

Put the Melted Gold in Water

Put the Melted Gold in Water

Keep blasting the gold with the flame for around 10-15 minutes. When you can see the gold has melted, put the blowtorch away. Then take the crucible out of the metal dish with a pincer and pour the gold from the crucible into the water bowl.

Take the Gold Out

Let the gold cool down for a few minutes. After that, take it out and you’re done.

Does a blowtorch torch get hot enough to melt gold?

Although gold has a high melting point, its melting point is still lower than some of the other metals like steel (2800°F), and titanium (3,034 °F). That’s the reason why you are capable of melting it with a blowtorch.

commercial air butane/propane blowtorch can generate flames that can reach a maximum temperature of to 2,610 °F. That is why blowtorches can melt commonly used metals such as copper, iron and aluminum.

Now, since gold’s melting point is 1,948°F, melting gold with propane torch is possible.

Does a blowtorch torch get hot enough to melt gold?

How do you test gold with vinegar?

Actually, you don’t need any expensive industrial equipment in order to test whether a metal is gold or not. You can easily test gold at home by using vinegar provided that you know the right method.

You know there is a lot of counterfeit gold in the market. So, it’s a good idea to test the gold before melting it.

How do you test gold with vinegar?

Here’s the process you need to follow:

  • Take an eyedropper and dip it in a bottle of vinegar. Fill up the eyedrop with vinegar and set it aside for later.
  • Next, take a clean cloth or a rag and clean the dirt and debris from the gold’s surface.
  • Place the gold inside a ceramic plate or a bowl and then pour 3-4 drops of vinegar on top of the gold.
  • Leave it like that for 15-20 minutes. The vinegar will have a chemical reaction with the gold at that time.
  • Now, check the color of the gold. If its color turns green or black, that means it’s fake gold. That’s because real gold does not change color if vinegar is applied on it.
  • Finally, if you’ve confirmed the authenticity of the gold, rinse it with water and clean it up.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is gold mixed with silver called?

Gold that is mixed with silver is called electrum. It’s not artificially made. In fact, electrum is a naturally occurring substance. It has a bright yellow color and it contains trace amounts of other metals such as copper.

What happens if you overheat gold?

Overheating metals makes them harder and increases their durability. The same is true in the case of gold.

What color is gold when burned?

Although some metals such as cobalt produce flames with a distinct color, gold is not one of them. Gold does not produce any specific colored flames when it gets burned.

How long does melted gold take to harden?

Melted gold takes around 30-40 minutes to completely harden. You can accelerate the process by placing it in water.

Can gold be melted with a propane torch?

Yes, you can use a propane torch to melt gold. Propane torches produce enough heat to reach gold’s melting point.

Final Thoughts

Gold is an extremely beautiful, and versatile metal that can be used to make various types of products. So, if you have some gold in your house, you can melt it down to make new things!

And after going through our article, it should be clear to you how easy it is to melt gold with blowtorch.

Just make sure you take the proper safety precautions before trying this approach.

Also read – How To Fix Butane Torch That Won’t Stay Lit?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Us

You certainly can’t believe everything the Internet tells you. Kelvin David knows this better than anyone. A few years ago, Kelvin decided to try online shopping for the first time. He was looking for a new electric drill he could use on his daily work as a contractor.