To keep emitters from leaking during shipping, they come sealed. When you're ready to light one, place it on a flat surface in the open--with no flammable materials nearby--and make a 1/8 to 3/16" fuse opening in the cap with a pocket knife or a nail. Insert at least a 5"-length of "cannon" or similar fuse (NOT provided) and push it all the way into the emitter till you feel it bottom out. Light it and get away.
You can make the emitter give off smoke more rapidly and in greater concentrated volume by poking several holes in the cap. (This makes for a short but more dramatic emission which sometimes is preferable to a long burn time). The smaller the hole in the cap, the longer the device will emit smoke.
It is in the nature of the chemistry of specific colors that some burn longer than others. Each color is unique. These emitters are filled to capacity before shipping, so it's essential if you want the longest burn time to make the fuse hole as small as possible.
My smoke emitters are incredibly fun. I go up in the high country by myself all the time to test these devices--but I guarantee if you do one of these in front of anyone, their mouths are going to drop wide open. And as kool as the colored smoke is, the emitter also makes a nice wooshing sound that's somehow very satisfying.
People often ask if you can throw these emitters like a grenade. I tried it once and regretted it. The wind shifted as I was throwing it and a thick plume of colored smoke blew across my body. The colored pigments for these emitters are very potent and I was stained pretty badly. Luckily the color washed off my face and neck with Goop (waterless hand cleaner), but my clothes were ruined. I caution you against throwing them, so if you try it and anything goes wrong, don't say I didn't warn you. The standard sensible advice for any pyrotechnic item is DO NOT HOLD IN HAND. I'm holding the one in the picture above only to give you an idea of the emitter's size.
I've just found out that I cannot ship these devices with fuses. (It's possible, but only with a federal license and greatly increased expense).
The light at the end of this tunnel is that there's no end of online sources for fuse. My favorite is Pyrocreations.com. Great guy, great prices--and your fuses arrive in a week or less. And one batch will last you for years. Cannonfuse.com is also a great online outfit.
These devices still have to be shipped via USPS Parcel Post because they are considered inflammable. I don't nick you for shipping and charge only what it costs to box and mail. The standard Parcel Post rate runs about $7 per pound, with a delivery confirmation number for tracking purposes. You can get three or four emitters in a small box for that rate.
I realize this no-fuse glitch may discourage some of you from purchasing this product, and I do understand--but getting fuse from other sources is completely safe and legal.
Colors change all time, so drop me an e- to find out what's currently available. My address is on the HH page, at the link below.
If you're ready to order one (or lots), first please check out my Hold Harmless Agreement--and get ready to have some fun.
To go to the Hold Harmless Agreement, click: HERE
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