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Disclaimer
The content in this page is for informational purposes only and readers follow them at their own risk. Consult local laws and regulations, and take proper safety precautions, before using these instructions. Smoke bombs and other fireworks can also be a serious fire hazard if not used properly. -
Smoke Bomb Tips
- Safety measures should be taken before making or lighting any smoke bombs.
- The easiest smoke bomb to make uses potassium nitrate and sugar.
- Potassium nitrate is sold as a fertilizer and stump remover.
- You can also make smoke bombs using ping pong balls and tin foil.
- Colored smoke bombs are harder to make.
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Introduction
- A smoke bomb is a type of firework that produces smoke after it is ignited. They are several ways they can be made at home. Smoke bombs should only be made and used by adults or under adult supervision, while taking proper safety precautions. In a study done in 2002 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission revealed that people have burned their eyes and received second degree burns from smoke bombs. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: 2002 Fireworks Annual Report
- The National Council of Fireworks offers these safety tips when using any fireworks:
- Use only outdoors.
- Check with local laws before making or using.
- Always have water handy.
- Never re-light a dud. Wait 20 minutes, and then soak it in water.
- Keep spectators at a safe distance.
- Wear safety glasses when lighting.National Council of Fireworks: Consumers Warned of Illegal Explosives and Urged to Follow Consumer Fireworks Safety Tips
- Note: The smoke bombs listed here are not good methods of getting rid of moles, voles, gophers, rabbits and other burrow dwelling creatures because they do not contain sulfur (which asphyxiates the animals).Utah State University Extension: Can I use Smoke Bombs to Kill Gophers in my Yard For information on how to deal with these animals, check out Mahalo's How to Get Rid of Moles.
Method 1: Sugar and Potassium Nitrate (Cooked)
- You can mix potassium nitrate (KNO3 or saltpeter) and sugar. Do not try to make too big of a bomb at first. It will be difficult to mix and heat evenly.United Nuclear: Smoke Bombs
- Mix together about three parts potassium nitrate and two parts sugar.United Nuclear: Smoke Bombs You can also opt to use five parts potassium nitrate to two parts sugar in the skillet. The exact ratio is not important as long as you have more potassium nitrate. However, the more potassium nitrate, the harder it will be to light. About.com: How to Make a Smoke Bomb
- You can add about 1 teaspoon of baking soda for every 5 tablespoons of potassium nitrate/sugar mix to help moderate the reaction rate and keep it from getting too hot.About.com: Ultimate Colored Smoke Bomb
- Pour the mixture into a skillet or saucepan.
- Place the pan over low heat. If you heat it too quickly, the mixture will turn black and can ignite.United Nuclear: Smoke Bombs If possible, do this step on a hot plate outside.
- Stir the mixture with a spoon using long, smooth strokes.
- If the grains of sugar start to melt along the edges where you are stirring, remove the pan from the heat and reduce the temperature before continuing.About.com: How to Make a Smoke Bomb
- The mixture will turn brown (similar to caramel candy or peanut butter) as it melts.United Nuclear: Smoke Bombs
- Remove pan from the heat.
- The mixture can then be used to make smoke bombs in a variety of ways, including:
- If you want to add a wick or fuse, do so before the mixture dries.United Nuclear: Smoke Bombs You can also light the mixture directly. About.com: How to Make a Smoke Bomb
Method 2: Sugar and Potassium Nitrate (Uncooked)
- If you are concerned with heating the potassium nitrate, there are two ways you can make a smoke bomb that do not require cooking.
Without Water
- Sift together powdered sugar and potassium nitrate. About.com: How to Make a Smoke Bomb
- Then, either ignite the powder directly or place it in a cup and use a napkin for a fuse. About.com: How to Make a Smoke Bomb
- Metacafe: How To Make A Smoke Bomb! (Time: 1:32)
How to Find Potassium Nitrate
- One of the biggest issues in making smoke bombs is where to find potassium nitrate. Potassium nitrate is used as a fertilizer and may be sold as saltpeter in garden supply stores.About.com: Ultimate Colored Smoke Bomb It is also the primary ingredient in at least two varieties of stump remover: Spectracide's Stump Remover MSDS and Grant's Stump Remover.Spectracide: Stump Remover MSDS McLendon's Hardware: Stump Remover (Potassium nitrate helps accelerate natural decomposition.) However, you should not assume that all stump removers are potassium nitrate. Check the ingredients list before using. Also, the potassium nitrate needs to be in powder form and may need to be purified before using.
- Potassium nitrate (or rather saltpeter) has also been used in hoodoo for magical protection and in spells.Hoodoo in Theory and Practice: Saltpeter So, it may be sold in stores that sell magical supplies. If worse comes to worst, you can also make your own potassium nitrate.Skeptic Tank: How to make Potassium Nitrate
- You can find potassium nitrate online at any of the following locations:
- Google Product Search: "Potassium Nitrate"
- The Science Company: Potassium Nitrate
- AmericaRx.com: Humco SaltPetre Powder (Potassium Nitrate Powder)
Method 3: Using Ping Pong Balls
- You can make a smoke bomb with only the use of a few ping pong balls, a drinking straw, a piece of aluminum foil and a pair of scissors.
- Poke or drill a hole into one side of a ping pong ball.
- Cut the other three or four balls into small pieces with a scissors.
- Carefully insert the pieces into the first ping pong ball (the one with the hole).Revver: Make a Smoke Bomb Out of Ping Pong Balls (Time: 1:14)
- Insert a 3-inch piece of a drinking straw into the hole.Instructables: Make a Smoke Bomb out of Ping Pong Balls
- Wrap the ball with a small piece of aluminum foil. Do not cover the hole.
- Your smoke bomb is ready to light. Hold the lighter to the bottom of the smoke bomb until you see it start to smoke.Metacafe: How To Make A Smoke Bomb Out Of A Ping Pong Ball (Time: 2:33)
- Wonder How To: How to Make a Ping-Pong Ball Smoke Bomb (Time: 2:33)
Conclusion
- Remember, safety first whenever you are working with fireworks. Although smoke bombs might seem harmless, they can do permanent damage. Use a long-handled lighter and place the smoke bomb on a nonflammable surface before lighting. Also, make sure you only light smoke bombs in well-ventilated areas.
