-
-
If you're looking for something spookier than your average Jack O Lantern, considering making a smoking Jack O Lantern. Using dry ice, and your pumpkin carving skills, you can create this special effect in your own home. Read on to learn how to make a smoking Jack O lantern with dry ice.
-
-
How To Use Dry Ice For Special Effects For Halloween
This video discusses using dry ice in general for Halloween, and includes a demonstration of making a smoking Jack O Lantern with dry ice. She adds some dish soap to the hot water in order to generate bubbles in addition to the fog. Note that she also advises wearing goggles while working with dry ice and liquid.
-
Introduction
Jack O Lanterns are traditionally lit with candles, which provide a nice glow. In order to kick it up a notch, replace the candle with dry ice, so that your pumpkin will emanate smoke from its features. Be careful when handle dry ice, as it can cause frostbite in an instant if it touches bare skin. -
Dry Ice Safety
Dry ice is dangerous, and should always be kept out of reach of small children and pets.- Dry ice is frozen at a temperature of -109ยบ F. To avoid injury, handle it with insulated protective gloves, tongs, or a thick towel.cold enough to freeze skin cells and cause an injury similar to a burn.
- Store dry ice in an insulated container, to keep it frozen, but make sure the container is not airtight. As the dry ice changes to CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas, it could cause an airtight container to explode.
- Use in a well ventilated area, as the CO2 emitted by the dry ice can replace the oxygen in the air, making it difficult to breathe.
What You Need for a Smoking Jack O Lantern With Dry Ice
When selecting a can remember that carbon dioxide fog sinks. If the can is too short, you'll only get fog out of the mouth, so make sure the can is at least as tall as the pumpkin's eyes.- Carved pumpkin
- Tall can
- Boiling water
- Salt
- Dry ice
How to Make a Smoking Jack O Lantern With Dry Ice
- Place the can in the pumpkin.
- Fill the can half full with boiling water and mix in a cup of salt
- Drop two or three large pieces of dry ice into the can of water.
- Place the top back on the pumpkin to minimize the air flow, as air will speed the sublimation of the dry ice and thin out the fog.
- When the fog stops, you'll need to start over again with fresh boiling water. You may want to have two cans available so you can make the switch quickly.
