need smoke for hellmouth

[Demon Dog]

Hi. Any suggestions for a smoke source for a hellmouth? Would really like to avoid a fogger or anything large. The ideal product would be a very slow burning incense-like stick, but one that tries to make smoke, not avoid it like incense. Not overly concerned with being able to contain a slow burning object safely. Would like this to produce a small waft of smoke for four hours or more.

FYI, I'd like hellmouth to use just a 4 inch PVC in the ground to house the sound and lights, so small size is a must. Probably will top it with a small Great Stuff lava dome. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Frankie-s Girl]

The combination of things you want (visible smoke, 4 hour duration) isn't a very easy combo.

Short duration smoke can be achieved with theatrical smoke powder, but you don't get a long duration (max on these are 8 minutes and that is big $$$):
http://www.theatrefx.com/store/commerce.cgi?product=smoke_powder_and_related

Foggers would be the best solution, so not sure why this isn't a route you want to go - you can even hide them in a location a little ways away and use black dryer vent or drainage tubing to pipe the fog to where you want it.

[Demon Dog]

The main desire is to keep it all self contained, either in the PVC tube or under the small lava dome. The hidden remote fogger is a good suggestion, but I'd like to see what other options there are. The theatrical smoke is similar to a home-made smoke grenade how-to I saw on Youtube (for paintball wars), doesn't last long enough, and puts out too much smoke for my needs.

[MotelSixx]

How about one of those ultrasonic 'mist' fountains

[scream1973]

Just a thought not sure how workable it would be but how about smoker blocks for a BBQ smoker.. If you wet them sufficiently they smolder for a fairly long period of time. You'd have to contain it fairly well so it didnt end up going up in flame..

[Fetch]

I agree with FG, piped-in fog would be the easiest. Froggy's Fog Fast Dissipating fluid would be perfect for this.

[Otaku]

I've used smoke sticks like these for testing laminar flow hoods. The output is not huge, but lasts a while and is controllable. There's other manufacturers that make these, and you may find something like this at Home Depot

http://www.hayes-uk.com/gallery/gallery_item.htm?id=260

[Demon Dog]

How about one of those ultrasonic 'mist' fountains

I use a couple ultrasonic misters indoors for some props, but their output stays low - great for a cauldron, etc. - but I'd like this to drift up. Also the constant local wetting this causes may cause a problem with my hellmouth electronics.

Just a thought not sure how workable it would be but how about smoker blocks for a BBQ smoker.. If you wet them sufficiently they smolder for a fairly long period of time. You'd have to contain it fairly well so it didnt end up going up in flame..

That's an idea. Wow, you'd think being from Texas that anything BBQ related would have been the first thing I'd have tried! Thanks, I'll check that out.


I agree with FG, piped-in fog would be the easiest. Froggy's Fog Fast Dissipating fluid would be perfect for this.

Yes, I definitely haven't ruled out a low cost 400W fogger, but I've got time to explore some other options ('I've got time' - what a nice change from the norm!) to see what alternatives there are. I wasn't familiar with this Froggy product and it does sound like it would work well with this project plus the mounted dragon's head I was thinking of building for 2010 and using in the house. Thanks.

I've used smoke sticks like these for testing laminar flow hoods. The output is not huge, but lasts a while and is controllable. There's other manufacturers that make these, and you may find something like this at Home Depot

http://www.hayes-uk.com/gallery/gallery_item.htm?id=260

Thanks Otaku. I'll check this out. It does seem to offer the small amount of smoke I'm after for the desired "light it and forget it" approach I'm after. But I see each stick only burns for 30 minutes, which may only mean I'd need to gang them end to end.

[dscrimager]

I would be worried about the open flame but if you you set the wick just so on an oil lamp you get a wicked cool amount of smoke but I'm not sure how long it lasts....

Freshly Doug