How to Make a Smoke Grenade

Rev.Cambeul · Wed 08 Jul 2015

How to Make a Smoke Grenade just like the Military M18 Colored S.G.

The smoke grenade that we are about to make is similar to the US Army M18 Colored Smoke Grenade.

These smoke grenades are used by the Military for creation of smoke screens in case of a retreat or flanking maneuvers in order to provide a wall of visual distraction that reduces the accuracy of enemy fire or to signal a position for air supported attacks (or SOS signaling).

Colour Meaning:

Each unit designates the meaning and purpose for each colour (white tends to be used to mask movement/confuse enemy, etc. only). Sometimes each mission may dictate different color signals for different meanings (lift & shift fire, phase line reached, extract, etc.). In other situations, different colors are meant to mark positions to aircraft to verify that the force on the ground popping smoke is who they say they are.

In peacetime red typically meant that there is an injury and all training is to be halted until the injury is addressed. (Source)
RED and Orange are internationally associated with the distress signal (10 ways to signal SOS). Non-military uses of smoke grenades vary from signalling your position in case you are lost to fireworks, paintball games, self-defense, protests, spectators, airsoft enthusiasts. However, the smoke grenade class is restricted to signaling and concealment under the laws of war, and thus they are not considered weapons. The smoke grenade remains legal for civilian use and ownership in most countries.

How to Make a Real Smoking Grenade – the one hour method

One of the best methods to create a smoke grenade is basically a mixture of potassium nitrate and sugar. The former ingredient is also known as saltpetre and usually it's not available for purchase. But you may use Spectracide Stump Remover which consists mostly of saltpeter. It works just fine!

You'll need:

60g of Saltpeter (sometimes found in Garden Shops) or Spectracide Stump Remover(availabe on Amazon) ;
40g of Sugar
One spoon of Baking Soda
3 large spoons Organic Powdered Dye (found at Hobby Shops) – for color smoke bomb;
Card Tube (or toilet paper tube, soda can)
Pen
Firework fuse or make your own fuse
Duct Tape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hPGG5xroyzM

The mix will be placed in a soda can that you have to cut in half. In order to create a good mix for this smoke grenade, add two parts of sugar to three parts of saltpetre. Cook these two ingredients and mix them constantly until they create a golden paste that is rather gooey. Stop the fire now as if you keep the mix on fire any longer, you risk igniting it and you don't want a smoke grenade in your kitchen.

While the mix is still warm and malleable, pour it into the soda can that you cut earlier. You will have half of a soda can filled with a gooey substance that will soon solidify. This is the moment when you need to put a fuse into the mix. Place a thick string about an inch inside the mix and leave at least two inches outside. Then, you can either refrigerate or freeze the soda can or wait for it to cool down and harden naturally. It will take about 20 minutes for the mixture to be solid and then, you will be able to light it on fire.

However, be advised: this is a much more powerful smoke grenade than the next one and you should ignite it only in open environments. Also, try to avoid lighting it near your neighbour's house as he or she might not be eager to be surrounded by a thick layer of smoke. This smoke grenade is unlikely to put something on fire, because it is contained in a soda can, but you should not leave it unattended, either.

W.Anthony · Wed 08 Jul 2015

Very cool Reverend. I'll have to look into the laws in my area, but I think it would be fun to toss a few around with my buddies.

Grimm · Thu 09 Jul 2015

I'm pretty sure potassium nitrate (stump remover) and sugar can be heated on a low heat (suggest you do it outdoors as its extremely flammable) the sugar will begin to caramelize, scoop it into a container of some sort and you pretty much have solidified rocket fuel! Another thing I read once was tin foil and a ping pong ball can be used as a cheap and easy alternative to make a smoke grenade however due to its simplicity the smoke isn't as effective as the technique above! If yous wish, ill post the link to the rocket fuel video!