Most smoke bombs are difficult and dangerous to make. This guide will show you how to build a simple and safe alternative suitable for all ages. Whether you want to play a joke or pretend to be a ninja, these smoke bombs are guaranteed to be a lot of fun!
Steps
Method 1 of 2: with an Egg
Step 1. Drill a small hole in both ends of an egg
You can use any thin, pointed tool, such as a toothpick or a pin. Make sure that the hole is large enough for the contents to come out, but not so large that the shell is cracked open. Remember to proceed over a bowl or cup, to avoid dirtying the worktop!
Step 2. Insert the toothpick or pin deep through one of the two holes to break the yolk
Gently rock the tool left and right; make sure it is long enough to reach the center of the egg. You may need to repeat this step several times if you have any difficulty getting all the egg contents out. If you've got liquid on your hands, don't touch your clothes or the area around your mouth. Raw eggs can carry a bacterium called Salmonella that will make you really sick.
Step 3. Gently blow through a hole to force the liquid out
It is generally best to blow into the pointed end. Try to expel as much of the egg white and yolk as possible. Pay attention and don't touch the shell with your lips! You must not try, for any reason, to suck the contents, remember that raw egg could cause you nausea and vomiting.
Step 4. Rinse the empty shell with water and allow it to air dry
If you move carefully, you can hold it under the tap and let the water run through it. The simpler alternative method, however, is to soak the shell in a tub of hot soapy water. Remember to wash and disinfect your hands and any objects that have come into contact with the raw egg.
Step 5. Seal one end of the shell with tape
The next step will be easier if you close the hole at the rounder end. You can use any type of tape, but don't overdo it or the bomb won't explode properly.
Step 6. Roll up a funnel-shaped sheet of paper and insert the tip into the open hole in the shell
Perhaps it will be necessary to widen the hole slightly to be able to insert the "funnel". In this case, use the same tool you used earlier and gently peel off small pieces around the opening. Be careful not to break the whole shell!
Step 7. Fill the egg with the paper funnel and seal the opening with masking tape
You have relatively few safe options as to what material to fill the egg with. The simplest choice is talcum powder. You can also create colored smoke bombs using previously dyed flour or shredded chalks. If you have any difficulty with this step, you can ask a helper to hold the egg vertically while you hold the funnel and pour the powder.
Step 8. Throw your "egg bomb" on a hard surface
The greater the force of the launch, the larger the cloud of smoke will be. If you don't want to use the bomb immediately, then you can save it for the future. The packaging in which the eggs are sold is also perfect for storing smoke bombs.
Method 2 of 2: with a handkerchief
Step 1. Wet a paper towel and spread it out on a table
Do not use too much water, or the handkerchief will become soggy and break. If you don't have a handkerchief, use a sheet of kitchen paper. Make sure it is large enough and that there are no holes.
Step 2. Pile an amount of material corresponding to the volume of a cup in the center of the handkerchief
Just like the previous method, use flour or talc to get a white smoke. If you prefer a colored smoke, you can dye the flour or grind some chalks and mix them with talc. Remember, these funnier materials can leave stains on surfaces though!
Step 3. Lift the four corners of the handkerchief and twist them together so that the bomb is shaped like a bundle
Be very gentle at this stage! Make sure there are no tears in the underside of the handkerchief where the dust is contained. The paper does not need to dry, as it tears more easily when wet. Just make sure it doesn't "explode" ahead of time!
Step 4. Throw the "handkerchief bomb" on a hard surface
Just like with the egg bomb, the greater the impact force, the larger the cloud of smoke will be. This type of smoke bomb, however, is meant to be used immediately; if you keep it, the twisted ends of the handkerchief will open and the contents will spread everywhere.
Warnings
- Avoid inhaling flour or talc.
- Do not throw the smoke bomb close to people's faces. Although quite safe, "smoking" could trigger severe respiratory problems in asthmatics.
- These smoke bombs dirty the environment. Remember that you have to clean!
- Do not overdo these smoke bombs because they are polluting.
