Fact Check

Are BANG Energy Drinks Flammable?

A video used some simple camera tricks to sure make it look that way.

Published Dec. 18, 2018

 (Bang Energy Facebook Page)
Image Via Bang Energy Facebook Page
Claim:
A video shows the liquid from a can of BANG Energy bursting into flames.

Are BANG brand energy drinks flammable? In December 2018, internet hoaxers fostered that notion by spreading videos supposedly showing people lighting the beverage on fire. Although we haven't been able to determine the exact source of these videos, a few examples of these clips can be glimpsed below:

Although the videos may appear at first glance to show the drinks are flammable, a few red flags contained within them indicate the fiery displays are merely a hoax.

In the first video, the clip starts with the camera focused on a can of BANG energy drink. The viewer witnesses the can being opened, but before its contents are poured onto the ground, the can disappears from view for seconds. It's likely that a second can pre-filled with a flammable liquid such as gasoline or lighter fluid was swapped in for the original can during this brief interlude.

The second video uses an even lazier (but equally deceptive) trick. Instead of showing the viewer an unopened can of BANG before swapping it out with a second can, this clip starts with a can that was already opened before the camera even started rolling. Again, it's likely this can was filled with a flammable liquid and not BANG energy drink.

A number of the brand's fans have posted their own "experiments" to YouTube in order to debunk this rumor. YouTubers Pleeka, Lil' Bones Leo, Brooke Curtis, Growing Pains, Angrytexan Green, Jesse Walker, and Dustin Orman all posted videos documenting their unsuccessful attempts to light a BANG energy drink on fire.

We've chosen to highlight the following video from Toby Dunnagan because it shows a can of BANG energy drink being opened, poured, and held to a flame all in one continuous shot without any aspect of the claim leaving the frame:

BANG told us in response to our query that: "It was a hoax. The user who made the video poured lighter fluid in the can. There are multiple videos online debunking that one video."

Dan Evon is a former writer for Snopes.