3 Ways to Make a DIY Smoke Bomb with Colored Smoke

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Learn about the chemical reaction that makes smoke bombs possible
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Ready to make your own amazing smoke bomb? Whether you want to make smoke for a dramatic special effect, a chemistry experiment, or to learn a useful survival tactic, you can make a fantastic smoke bomb with just a few simple ingredients. A standard bomb uses potassium nitrate, sugar, and organic dye (optional) to produce vibrant, colored smoke, but you can also make DIY smoke bombs with ping pong balls or newspaper. Read on to learn how!

How do you make a smoke bomb?

  1. Cover one end of a cardboard tube with duct tape.
  2. Mix 3 tbsp (51 g) of potassium nitrate and 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar in a cast iron skillet.
  3. Heat the mixture on low for about 15 minutes until melted and brown in color.
  4. Add 1 tbsp (17 g) of baking soda to prolong the smoking reaction.
  5. Add 3 tbsp (60 g) of organic, powdered dye to color the smoke (optional).
  6. Pour the mixture into the cardboard tube and insert a fuse or stormproof match.
  7. Let the mixture harden, then light the fuse to ignite.
Section 1 of 4:

Making a Standard Smoke Bomb (With Colored Smoke)

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  1. Smoke bombs can be made with a simple concoction of potassium nitrate and sugar. By mixing these ingredients and melting them together, you create a flammable product that produces whirls of smoke when you light it on fire. You’ll also need a cast iron skillet and some baking soda. Adding 1 tbsp (17 g) of baking soda will make the smoke burn a little bit longer. [1] For safety gear, get a pair of latex gloves, goggles , and a filter mask to protect yourself from the smoke. [2]
    • What you’ll need: 3 tbsp (51 g) of potassium nitrate, 2 tbsp (25 g) of sugar, 1 tbsp (17 g) of baking soda, a cast iron skillet, a cardboard toilet paper roll, a Visco fuse or stormproof match, protective equipment (latex gloves, goggles, mask).
    • Use an old cast iron skillet that you don’t plan on cooking with in the future. The potassium nitrate mixture may ruin it.
    • You can get potassium nitrate , also called saltpeter or stump remover, at your local garden store or online.
    • It’s important to wear your safety gear. Contact with potassium nitrate can cause eye and skin irritation. Breathing it in can irritate your nose and cause sneezing and coughing. [3]
    • Potassium nitrate causes a unique purple flame. To color the smoke, you can add dye to your smoke bomb (more on that in a few steps).
    • Is the smoke toxic? The ingredients in this DIY smoke bomb aren’t necessarily toxic, but can cause burns to your skin or lung damage if inhaled.
  2. Before you make your potassium nitrate mixture, you’ll need to prepare your cardboard tube. Put 2 pieces of tape on top of the hole so it’s completely covered. Then, secure those two pieces with a longer tape strip around the base. This will ensure that the smoke bomb mixture won’t leak out when you pour it into the tube. [4]
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  3. Measure out the potassium nitrate and of sugar, then pour it into your cast iron skillet and mix it together with a spoon until they are completely combined. Heat the pan on the stove over medium-low heat for about 15 minutes. While the mixture is heating up, stir it constantly until it’s completely melted. [5]
    • As the sugar caramelizes, it should take on a brown or black color and form a thick, gooey texture like melted caramel.
    • Do not overcook the mixture and take care not to set it on fire. If it starts to smoke in the pan, turn the heat down immediately.
    • The ratio of potassium nitrate to sugar doesn’t have to be exact. A 1:1 ratio burns slowly but is harder to light, while a ratio with more potassium nitrate than sugar lights more easily but burns faster.
  4. This step is technically optional, but you can add a spoonful of baking soda before you take it off the heat. The baking soda will moderate the reaction, making the smoke bomb burn a little bit slower. [6]
  5. Add 3 tbsp (60 g) of organic, powdered dye if you’d like colored smoke. This step is also optional, but if you’d like a specific color of smoke, add about 3 tbsp of your preferred color. These dyes are available online and in some craft and hobby stores. [7]
    • Do not use common water-based dye, as this won’t color the smoke and may dampen the smoking reaction.
    • Any color will work, but some say that blue and orange dye are the most vibrant and effective.
    • Alternatively, some DIY smoke bomb makers prefer to melt colored wax crayons in the pan before adding the potassium nitrate and sugar. When combined, this creates a colored smoke bomb mix.
  6. Turn off the heat on the stove and use a spoon to get as much of the mixture as you can into the tube. [8] Work quickly because the mixture is going to harden. To make it easier to pour, you can use a funnel. Or, you can place the mixture in a small plastic bag, cut off one corner, and squeeze it into the tube.
    • When you’re pouring the mixture in the cardboard tube, make sure to pack it tightly. If it’s not, the smoke won’t burn smoothly when you light the smoke bomb.
  7. Insert a Visco fuse or stormproof match into the tube and let the mixture harden. Visco is a type of fuse typically used for consumer fireworks. Cut 3 in (7.6 cm) of the fuse and then stick one end into the middle of the tube through the mixture. [9] Make sure at least 1 in (2.5 cm) of the fuse is sticking out of the mixture so you have enough room to light it. Or, stick the non-flammable end of a long stormproof match into the mixture.
    • Afterward, let your mixture sit in a well-ventilated area so that it can cool down. It might take an hour or so to completely solidify.
  8. Put your finished smoke bomb in an outdoor area clear of buildings, trees, other people, and pets (you should never light a smoke bomb indoors!). Use a lighter to light the end of the fuse. Move away quickly as soon as the fuse is lit to avoid smoke inhalation or injury. Your smoke bomb will produce a large cloud of dark smoke. [10]
    • Potassium nitrate smoke bombs burn very violently. So make sure you place it in a clear, open area away from anything that can catch fire.
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Section 2 of 4:

Making Smoke Bombs with Ping Pong Balls

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  1. Gather 4 celluloid ping pong balls . For this method, you’ll need a few ping pong balls. These balls are made of nitrocellulose, which is a highly flammable compound used in celluloid. One ball will make up the actual smoke bomb, while the others will be cut up and placed inside of the first ping pong ball to add more smoke when you set it off. Choose balls that are the same color, because the color you choose will end up being the color of the smoke. [11]
    • What you’ll need: 4 ping pong balls, aluminum foil, a screwdriver, scissors, a pencil.
    • It’s important that you use celluloid ping-pong balls instead of plastic ones. You can tell the difference between the two because the plastic balls are shiny and bend easily. The celluloid ping-pong balls are typically more durable and matte.
    • Is the smoke toxic? Yes, the fumes from burning nitrocellulose may be toxic if exposed to high enough temperatures or flames. [12]
    • Note: Celluloid ping pong balls are rare today because of the very fact that they’re so flammable. [13] Regular plastic ping pong balls will also work, but produce less smoke that nitrocellulose.
  2. Take one of your ping pong balls and poke a hole in it. To do this, firmly hold the ball between your thumb and index finger on a flat surface. Take a small screwdriver or knife and apply pressure until it pokes through. The hole will be used to fit the pieces of the other ping pong balls. [14]
  3. Use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the remaining ping-pong balls into small pieces. You may need to pierce the balls with a knife or screwdriver first in order to make a starting point for cutting. The pieces should be small enough to fit into the hole of the first ping pong ball. Fill the ball with the pieces until it is completely full. [15]
  4. Get your pencil and stick the sharpened side inside the hole of the first ping pong ball. It may not fit all the way in because you just filled the hole, so just make sure the tip of the pencil is touching the outside of the ball. Then, get a piece of foil that is at least 6 by 6 inches (15 by 15 cm). Put the ping pong ball in the center of the foil square, and wrap the foil tightly around the ball and pencil until it takes its shape. [16]
    • The only purpose of the pencil in this step is to create a mold for the foil, so do not completely cover it. Make sure there is a hole in the foil at the end of the pencil so you can take it out when you’re finished.
  5. Grab the pencil by the eraser and carefully pull it out of the foil. When you take it out, make sure the shape of the foil stays intact. This shape will leave a chimney for the smoke to travel up through the aluminum foil when you light the smoke bomb. [17]
  6. Take your finished smoke bomb outdoors and put it in the grass in an open area away from other people and pets (smoke bombs should never be used indoors due to the risk of fire and smoke inhalation). [18] Hold the smoke bomb by the top and use a lighter to light a flame right under the ping pong ball. The smoke will start to pour out of the hole in the ball and out through the chimney left by the pencil. [19]
    • Once it starts to smoke, toss or place the smoke bomb on the ground and quickly move away. Stand a few feet back to avoid breathing in the toxic smoke.
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Section 3 of 4:

Making Newspaper Smoke Bombs

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  1. Open a cold pack with ammonium nitrate and pour the granules into a bucket. You can purchase a cold pack at any drugstore. They contain ammonium nitrate, which is a common ingredient used in garden fertilizers. Similar to potassium nitrate, it can be combined with other ingredients to create explosives. Open the pack by cutting it with a pair of scissors, remove the small water bag inside, and discard it. Pour all of the ammonium nitrate granules into a large pan or bucket. [20]
    • What you’ll need: A cold pack with ammonium nitrate, water, 10 newspaper sheets, a bucket or pan.
    • Is the smoke toxic? Yes. Fumes from burning ammonium nitrate can cause irritation to the skin, lungs, eyes, nose, and throat and cause other side effects when inhaled. [21]
    • Wear gloves when you handle the granules. Ammonium nitrate is an irritant, so if it gets on your skin, wipe it off, and rinse the skin immediately. Always wash your hands thoroughly with liquid soap when you are finished.
  2. You can add water from the sink or a hose. Make sure you add just a little at a time, and gently swirl the bucket until the ammonium nitrate dissolves. [22]
    • Stop adding water as soon as you notice all of the granules have dissolved so the solution is still concentrated. If you add too much water, you’ll end up with bombs that don’t smoke.
  3. Fold each individual sheet into a square so it fits in the bucket easily. Then, put each sheet one-by-one by one into the solution and swish them around until they are completely soaked. Submerge each one in the liquid for at least 30 seconds. [23]
    • The wet newspaper will be fragile, so be careful not to rip it while handling.
    • Try to find an older newspaper. Brand new newspapers have a waxy film that prevents them from lighting properly.
  4. You can use a driveway or any other concrete surface to dry your newspapers. Make sure you lay them out flat in a sunny spot so they can dry completely and evenly. If you are in a windy area, put rocks or other weights on the corners of each sheet to prevent them from flying away. [24]
    • You can tell when they are ready when they can be lifted off of the pavement easily.
  5. Once your newspapers are completely dry, put them all together in a stack and roll them up. Secure the rolled newspaper by tying a string around them. Be careful not tie them too tight or too loose that they come apart. Take it outside in an open area, and then use a lighter to light one end of the newspaper. You will notice clouds of smoke coming out of both ends of the newspaper. [25]
    • You may opt to experiment with different lengths and widths for your smoke bomb. If so, cut up the newspaper sheets, rip them in half, or leave them whole before rolling them up.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions: Making Smoke Bombs

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  1. 1
    Is it legal to use smoke bombs in the US? Yes, but lots of restrictions may apply based on where you live. Purchasing smoke bombs is federally legal, but some states have chosen to make it illegal to buy and/or use them. How and where you want to use them matters too. It may be legal to use a smoke bomb on a paintball course, for example, but not in a densely packed public square. [26]
    • Other restrictions, like being 18 or needing a permit to purchase a smoke bomb, also depend on your state or municipality.
  2. 2
    How do smoke bombs work? Standard smoke bombs consist of an oxidizer (potassium nitrate), a fuel (sugar), and a moderator to keep the smoke from getting too hot (baking soda). Sometimes, an organic dye is added that vaporizes to produce colored smoke. When you light the fuse, a slow and sustained chemical reaction begins that fuels the smoke: The sugar burns while the potassium nitrate intensifies the combustion. [27]
  3. 3
    When were smoke bombs invented? Smoke bombs have been used for centuries. Some of the earliest types of smoke bombs were used in medieval Japan to fight off the Mongols in the 13th century. However, the modern smoke bomb (using potassium nitrate) was officially invented in 1848 by Robert Yale. [28] One of the earliest uses of these new smoke bombs was in 1863 during the American Civil War to send signals to other troops. [29]
  4. 4
    How do people use smoke bombs? Traditionally, smoke bombs have been used in warfare for communication, to mark a target area, or to create a smoke screen. They can also be used to send distress signals, like if you’re lost in the woods and need help. Besides combat, smoke bombs can also be used creatively to make backdrops for photo and video shoots, prank people, or create artistic backdrops for live performances. [30]
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  • Question
    In method 4, is the smoke deadly or harmful?
    Community Answer
    Ammonium nitrate smoke can be quite toxic, and should be avoided as much as humanly possible.
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  • Question
    How do I make a military-grade smoke grenade?
    Community Answer
    White phosphorus is what the military uses. It is extremely volatile. It burns right through skin, and continues burning until the phosphorus is removed. It works very well for smoke screens as well as causing pain.
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  • Question
    Can it explode during the preparation?
    Community Answer
    In theory it won't explode unless you make one of these in a sealed container and heat it up too much. But if you heat it up too much, it can catch fire.
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      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • To color the smoke, you need a powdered dye that vaporizes when heated — test a small amount first to see if it works.
      • Wear gloves and a mask since potassium nitrate can irritate skin and eyes.
      • Get at least 7 feet away from any smoke bomb before setting it off.
      • Ammonium nitrate is a strong oxidizer, so handle it carefully.
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      Warnings

      • Do not inhale the smoke. While the smoke is largely non-toxic, it is not good to deprive your lungs of oxygen by inhaling large amounts of it.
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      • Always wear safety gear when making smoke bombs.
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      • Do not light the mixture indoors. Be careful when cooking potassium nitrate not to let it burn.
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      Things You'll Need

      Standard Smoke Bombs

      Ping Pong Ball Smoke Bombs

      Newspaper Smoke Bombs

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      References

      1. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/smoke-bomb-halloween-jack-o-lantern/
      2. ↑ https://worksafe.nt.gov.au/forms-and-resources/bulletins/hazardous-chemicals-personal-protective-equipment-ppe
      3. ↑ https://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1574.pdf
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY8Hieu2EcM&t=52s
      5. ↑ https://www.ijstr.org/final-print/jan2020/Powder-Smoke-Composite-Building-Design-As-A-Weapon-Of-Sea-Air-And-Land-Defense-Sabotage.pdf
      6. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/smoke-bomb-halloween-jack-o-lantern/
      7. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-safe-smoke-bombs-with-no-cooking-required/
      8. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      9. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      1. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      2. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      3. ↑ https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/19178
      4. ↑ https://www.networldsports.com/buyers-guides/ping-pong-ball-guide
      5. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      6. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      7. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      8. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      9. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/gdWpHZBhFjw?t=259
      11. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-a-smoke-bomb-without-potassium-nitrate-or-ping-pong-balls/
      12. ↑ https://www.nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/0106.pdf
      13. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-a-smoke-bomb-without-potassium-nitrate-or-ping-pong-balls/
      14. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-a-smoke-bomb-without-potassium-nitrate-or-ping-pong-balls/
      15. ↑ https://modernsurvivalonline.com/how-to-make-smoke-bombs/
      16. ↑ https://sciencenotes.org/how-to-make-a-smoke-bomb-without-potassium-nitrate-or-ping-pong-balls/
      17. ↑ https://shutterbombs.com/collections/single-smoke-grenades
      18. ↑ https://smokeeffect.com/blogs/smoke-bomb-blog/you-asked-we-answered-vol-1
      19. ↑ https://www.ijstr.org/final-print/jan2020/Powder-Smoke-Composite-Building-Design-As-A-Weapon-Of-Sea-Air-And-Land-Defense-Sabotage.pdf
      20. ↑ https://shutterbombs.com/blogs/smoke-bombs-and-smoke-grenades/history-of-the-smoke-grenade
      21. ↑ https://shutterbombs.com/blogs/smoke-bombs-and-smoke-grenades/history-of-the-smoke-grenade

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a smoke bomb, you’ll need to gather 3 ping pong balls, a pencil, scissors, and tin foil. To start, carefully pierce a hole in 1 ping pong ball with a pencil. Then, using scissors, cut up the other 2 ping pong balls into little pieces, so they’re small enough to fit through the hole of the first ball. Once you’ve cut up the pieces, stuff them into the first ping pong ball until its completely full. Then, insert the pencil into the first ping pong ball and wrap tin foil around the whole thing. Once it’s wrapped in foil, carefully take the pencil out without disturbing the tin shape. To light your smoke bomb, first move outside in an open area where you won’t breathe in the smoke. Then, light a flame underneath the foil wrapped ping pong ball. Once it’s lit, throw it on the ground and step back to watch it at a safe distance. To learn how to make a smoke bomb with newspaper, scroll down!

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        Sep 2, 2016

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