Where to Find a Safe Prop Smoke Grenade Like the M18

[pennstater88]

I've been looking for about two weeks now for a smoke grenade that looks like a real military style pull pin smoke grenade (similar to the M18) but doesn't have the 1500+ burn when pulled. I've tried a lot of places, online, fireworks stores, even actual military suppliers. However none seem to have a safer burn temp and the ones that I've been able to find have been sub-par. If anyone has any ideas on places that sell such FX items it would be a great help... Thanks...

 

[ralck]

Would it be possible to rent a smoke machine? And then use one of the sub-par grenades to make it look like they are throwing a grenade, then use the smoke machine behind a wall (they are probably throwing this behind a wall or through a doorway to make some cover for them?) make the smoke you want.

That way seems a lot safer than actually having some sort of real smoke grenade on set?

Just a thought if you can hide where the smoke comes from in the shot.

 

[pennstater88]

I would, but the problem with that is that it would be hard to conceal the machine because the grenade is supposed to be thrown in the middle of a field... the grenade acts as a signal flare... thus it would be hard to conceal the smoke machine in the shot... thanks for the help tho...

 

[ralck]

If you're allowed to, what about digging a small hole to set the machine in? You'd have to make sure the machine was level, but then you could put a small piece of plywood above it and some dirt on it to conceal it more.

I could see this working: have a shot of the talent throwing the grenade in the field, cut to a quick closeup shot of the grenade just starting to smoke on the ground, and then cut back to a wide shot of the field with the smoke machine making the smoke now.

That's my thoughts... hopefully you can play around with something like that.

Of course, if you know anyone in the military, maybe they could schedule someone to come out and give you a 'demo' of a military-grade smoke grenade as you film it, then just cut that into the movie?

 

[Kevin_Zanit]

Try getting emergency smoke flares used in boating. I think they have a lower burn temp, but frankly, just about every pyro-smoke composition I know of burns at a really high temp.

I am sure you can 'cheat' the smoke flare for your M18 in a cut (or even dress the flare to look more like the M18).