Thread: help needed with a private project

In the near future i am going to carry out a private experiment in a controlled environment.
This experiment involves reacting potassium nitrate with sugar. Can somebody please suggest an ideal ratio of the two in mass (a safe amount to use) also with the most likely equation for this reaction. Which would be a good, easy to acquire, colorant for the smoke? what could i mix the KNO3 with to make a bigger(more fiery/ more smokey) reaction?
Thank you.
Ps..... please do not give me any warnings about this reaction it is controlled in a large open space which is private property.


(don't worry i am not going to cause any harm with this experiment such as blow up a cat)

sorry just bumping

This is not a dangerous experiment. My advice is to dilute the potassium nitrate to either a 2.000 or 1.000 M solution. Using straight KNO3 is more expensive and less stable. Good luck on ur experiment!

what could i use as a substitute to KNO3 that is easier to get

Well what exactly are u trying to achieve? Do u need an acid or a base? I mean for what I think ur trying to do, I would mix vinegar and turpentine, 2 very strong acids that don't react with each other and would cause a large and exciting reaction.

i thought turpentine was an alkaline solution? and you said they wont react but then you said they will create an "exciting" reaction.
could somebody please answer my question or evaluate on the man of science's question please.
thank you

Originally Posted by the man of science

Well what exactly are u trying to achieve? Do u need an acid or a base? I mean for what I think ur trying to do, I would mix vinegar and turpentine, 2 very strong acids that don't react with each other and would cause a large and exciting reaction.

Neither vinegar nor turpentine are strong acids. Just thought I'd point that out.

Ratio of 20g KNO3 to 11g sugar will work nicely. in the open a big fire confined a big Kaboom! a gram or so of powdered magnesium or zinc will white smoke the area. hexachloro ethane smokes like crazy also, formula: calcium silicide 9% hexaCl ethane 45.5% zinc oxide 45.5%
Ignite remotely or long fuse!