Using hot sauce in a Super Soaker is not recommended due to significant safety hazards, risk of damaging the toy, and difficulty cleaning it afterward.
Safety risks
Irritation and injury: Hot sauce contains capsaicin, a chemical irritant found in chili peppers. When sprayed, it can cause extreme pain and burning if it gets into a person's eyes, skin, or is inhaled.
Unexpected reactions: Some people, particularly those with allergies, could have a more severe reaction to being sprayed with hot sauce.
Increased violence: Using an irritating substance in a water gun can escalate a fun game into a harmful or violent confrontation.
Potential damage to the Super Soaker
Corrosion: Hot sauce is acidic and can be corrosive. The acids may degrade or damage the plastic, rubber seals, and O-rings inside the water gun over time, causing leaks.
Clogging: The thicker, pulpy consistency of most hot sauces can clog the Super Soaker's internal mechanisms, particularly the nozzle and pump.
Cleaning challenges
Residue and odor: Hot sauce can leave a sticky residue and a persistent smell that is very difficult to remove completely from the toy's internal parts.
Damage from cleaning: Some cleaning chemicals strong enough to remove the hot sauce residue could further damage the plastic components of the toy.
Alternative uses of hot sauce
Instead of putting hot sauce in a Super Soaker, consider these safer and more practical alternatives:
Animal repellent: Pepper Palace suggests mixing hot sauce with water and dish soap to create a repellent to deter squirrels from bird feeders.
Cooking: This is the intended use for hot sauce and is a safe, reliable way to enjoy its spicy flavor.
Adding to a food product: Some manufacturers have created food-safe Super Soaker-inspired devices to dispense hot sauce or other condiments in an amusing way.