The color of the smoke changes depending on what is burning. White smoke is in fact the suspension of water droplets from hydrogen-rich sources. You can make white smoke at home with a few simple experiments.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Paper to Make White Smoke
Step 1. Find a large bucket and place it outside
Make sure it's not near wood, paper, or dry grass. For example, a parking lot or dirt road might be the most fireproof places for this experiment.
Step 2. Fill the bucket with water
Step 3. Get a matchbox or camping lighter
An electric lighter is safe for children and easy to find in many supermarkets.
Step 4. Roll up several sheets of white paper as tightly as possible
Secure them on one end with a rubber band.
Step 5. Hold a single roll of paper from the bottom, next to the elastic
Keep it over the bucket so you can drop it in later.
Step 6. Set the end of the paper roll on fire
Let it burn to about ¼ or ½ of the roll and then turn it off.
Step 7. Watch the smoke rise from the card
It should produce white smoke for about a minute. White smoke is the result of cellulose which when burned releases water droplets and unburned fuel from the paper.
Step 8. Repeat the experiment as desired
Drop the paper into the bucket of water before the fire gets too close to your hand.
Method 2 of 3: Making White Smoke with Zinc
Step 1. Set up a fire in a safe place, such as a pit, barrel, or campfire
Make sure there is water and a fire extinguisher close at hand so you can put out the fire right away if it spreads.
Step 2. Get some fuel
It could just be some wood or other similar things you have on hand. The goal is to create a fire that stays burning long enough that you can try some of the more common methods of creating white smoke.
Step 3. Purchase zinc powder from a chemical dealer
You can also buy it on the internet in small quantities.
Step 4. Roll the dust into several sheets of printer paper
Step 5. Drop them into the fire and walk away
See how the zinc begins to produce white smoke as the paper burns.
Method 3 of 3: Making White Smoke with Straw
Step 1. Make a hot fire, or if you've already tried the zinc method of creating white smoke, wait until the zinc is completely burned
Make sure there is an open flame to get the best result.
Step 2. Have a bucket of straw nearby
Step 3. Wet the straw completely
Let it rest for a few minutes. Eliminate excess water.
Step 4. Put the wet straw in a paper bag
It should be small enough for the fire to completely consume it.
Step 5. Drop the paper bag into the fire
Wet straw will produce white smoke by releasing water droplets into the air.