Smoke bombs are an important resource to either provide cover or attract attention. They are also very easy to create and stockpile. Recipes range from mixing certain substances together to utilizing common items that can be ignited and deployed at a moment’s notice. Let’s take a look at a few options that can be prepared with minimal effort and resources.
Ping Pong Balls
One of the easiest ways to build a rudimentary yet effective smoke bomb is to roll ping pong balls in aluminum foil. All you need to do is place the flame from a lighter beneath the balls and let them heat up. They will begin to smoke within a few seconds and continue to do so until the balls dissolve into a black powder inside of the foil. However, it’s important to point out that the burn time and thickness of the smoke is related to the number of balls inside of the foil. Add more than three to provide you with a decent, yet temporary amount of cover.
You will need two balls for every one that will be wrapped in foil. Cut holes in each ball and then cut up another ball into small pieces. Place the cut pieces into the balls with holes and lay them on the foil. Stand a pen or marker up in the center of the foil and wrap everything together. The aim is to create a vertical shaft that will serve as the exhaust for the white smoke to escape. Remove the pen or marker once the wrapping is complete. Make sure to cover any holes or openings in the foil with the exception of the one left by the pen or marker. Place on the ground and light the bottom until it begins to smoke.
Sugar and Potassium Nitrate
Prepare canisters for the smoke bombs by wrapping cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towel rolls in duct tape. Make sure to crimp and seal one end off as well. Set aside as you place a mixture of 60% sugar and 40% potassium nitrate into a frying pan. Cook and continually stir over medium heat until the mixture develops the consistency of a thick pancake batter. Remove from heat and fill the tubes. Insert some sort of fuse or wick coated in wax as an ignition source. You can also use part of a sparkler as well. Seal with more duct tape, but leave an opening for the smoke to escape and ignite when ready. This will provide a longer lasting burn than the ping pong balls, and the smoke will also be thicker. However, it will also burn at a much higher temperature, so it is important that you take precautions to avoid starting a fire or getting burned.
You can also modify this method by mixing 40% wax and 60% potassium nitrate instead of using sugar. The only difference is that you will need to create a smaller canister out of excess cardboard to insert into the middle of the larger one to serve as the ignition source. Mix the same proportions of the sugar and potassium nitrate combination above and insert a wick or fuse in the center before sealing everything up and allowing to cool overnight. This combination will produce the longest lasting burn while also producing a darker smoke.
Coca Cola
Believe it or not, you can use a can of Coke and some potassium nitrate as well. Cut the top part of the can off with a can opener and set aside. Using the same ratio as above, pour the cola into a saucepan over medium heat. Add the potassium nitrate powder and stir. The mixture will thicken as it cooks, and you are looking for a dry to semi-pasty consistency. You can adjust by adding more potassium nitrate as needed. Pour into the empty can and place the lid back on top. Insert the wick or fuse into the opening and allow everything to cool until it reaches room temperature before use. This will produce a dark and very long-lasting smoke, but it will also give off a lot of heat and flame.
These examples are highlighted due to their ease of preparation and overall effectiveness. Just remember that a number of factors such as wind and the location of deployment will influence the amount of cover that is generated by the smoke. Experiment with different variations in order to develop smoke devices that will be an optimal fit for your needs and purposes.
