smoke on the water

[thrappy]

Does anyone have any idea how to make a liquid "smoke", like a witches cauldron type smoke you sometimes see on spooky tv programmes? Is it by using a tablet of some kind? It's for a hallowe'en party, and we'd like to do something like that for effect. Oh, and can you create it on liquids you want to drink?!

[VINNY100_2]

you can buy glycerine . To make the fog fluid you should get a spotlessly clean plastic container and pour in the required percentage of glycerine before topping up with demineralised water ,  just top the bottle up from the tap. The next step is to shake the bottle vigorously, and that's basically it. You now have a customised haze/smoke/fog fluid. To keep track of different densities it might help to put a tiny amount of food colouring in the fluid to colour code it.  use a touch of yellow for a 75% glycol mix, red for a 50% mix, green for a 25% mix and blue for a 10% mix. If you really must, I dont recomend you put it in drinks.(this was taken from a website.

[PhilLew]

The most common type you see on films etc is made from 'Dry Ice' which is frozen carbon dioxide, when you drop it int boiling water it produces the fog efect you'r after.

You can hire dry ice machines from theatrical hire shops.

I have seen it done on a small scale using a flask of dry ice poured into a bowl and adding hot water but both  dry ice and boiling water are obviusly dangerous and must be handled with extreme care! (dry ice can stick to your skin and givre you a frost burn)

[VINNY100_2]

B.T.W you can now buy fog machines in the latest argos cat...(:)extra.

[Buenchico]

All of the suggestions here are valid but there are potential dangers associated with some of them. (Dry ice is not something you really want to have around the place if people are under the influence of alcohol!).

The best (and safest) way to do things is to hire appropriate equipment from a firm that specialises in such things. If you happen to be in East Anglia then head for Phosphene (Milton Road South, Stowmarket, 01449-678200). Otherwise look under 'Theatrical Suppliers' in Yellow Pages. (You probably won't find any specific references to this type of thing but most companies which deal in stage lighting can usually assist).

I've been trying to remember how to create 'smokey drinks' - I've seen this somewhere before so I know it can be done - but I haven't come up with an answer yet. (I'll post again if I remember!). If you want some 'spooky' food recipes you could try this BBC link. (OK, the ideas are aimed at kids but they might go down well with adults as well!):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/news_and_events/events_hallowe en.shtml#halloween_party_recipes_

Hoping this helps,

Chris

[VINNY100_2]

here

 

http://www.novelties-direct.co.uk/detail.asp?id=1788

[thrappy]

Thanks to everyone who answered (or who still wants to post an answer as well!), especially vinny... you guys go to a lot of trouble to help someone out. Cheers!

[Buenchico]

I've just been past my local Maplin Electronics store and noticed that they're selling a suitable fog machine on special offer at �24.99. This doesn't seem to be listed in their online catalogue but their store locator is here:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/StoreLocator.aspx?doy=1m10

Chris

[thrappy]

Thanks for all your help Chris, I'll have a look at that too.

[Narolines]

Depends on what kind of effect you're looking for  - if you want a thick white mist that rolls around the floor then you need dry ice, as the vapour it produces is heavier than air. Fog/smoke machines produce  just what they suggest; the fog/smoke will fill the whole space, floor to ceiling. In my band we use one on stage, and it gives that lovely smoky club atmosphere without the carcinogenic dangers, and is lovely for enhancing lighting effects - which is what it's really intended for.

[dantheman123]

Theres a  way to do it at home but it is dangerouse. let off a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher into a plastic bag then take the frost it produces and put it into the liquid to see it bubble and smoke. I dont take any responsibility if anyone.