Color Smoke Mines – How to Use Them Safely and Effectively

🎇 Color Smoke Mines – How to Use Them?

This year’s undeniable hit at every party is the colorful smoke wall effect – color smoke mines. So how do you use them to make it both safe and spectacular?

You’ve probably seen at least one viral reel or photo with a vibrant explosion of smoke forming a magical wall of color. At larger events like weddings, it’s better to leave ignition to the pros. But nothing stops you from buying these smoke mines yourself and using them at a birthday party, baby shower, or gender reveal.

So, how do you use them to make it both safe and stunning? Read on to find out.

Are Smoke Mines Fireworks?

Even though they look innocent – almost like something out of a children’s storybook – it’s important to remember that color smoke mines are still classified as explosive materials. What does that mean? You should handle them with the same care as traditional fireworks.

All the smoke mines we sell are categorized as amateur products. That means no special permits or licenses are required to buy or use them. Your responsibility is to follow basic safety rules.

First and foremost: maintain a safe distance. This means at least 20 meters from people and nearby structures. Even though it’s not immediately visible, these mines shoot colored smoke upward and can also launch small bits like clay or paper. Keeping at least 20 meters away will help you avoid stained clothing or decorations. Don’t worry – even if you set the mines 50 meters away, they’ll still make a huge impression on your guests.

How to Ignite Color Smoke Mines?

This is by far one of the most frequently asked questions we get!

Each smoke mine comes with a built-in fuse (visco fuse). But before we get to lighting it – if you’ve already marked off the safety distance, the next step is mounting the mine properly.

Each mine produces one colorful shot (single shot). In terms of size and shape, they resemble oversized flares – or for the uninitiated... a small zucchini! They don’t come with a base or fold-out legs – so you’ll need to stabilize them yourself.

You can do this by attaching them with a zip tie (cable tie) to a metal rod, which you can then firmly plant into the ground. Smoke mines can be fired at a slight angle, so they don’t need to be perfectly upright. The key is keeping them stable in place.

Matches, Lighter or a Remote Ignition System?

The green fuse on smoke mines is no different than what you find on classic fireworks. To ignite the mine, simply apply a flame to the fuse – and that’s it. You can use storm matches, a lighter, or a pyrotechnic torch. The method doesn’t really matter.

After ignition, you have about 5 seconds to step back to a safe distance.

This method works great if you’re firing one or two mines and don’t need perfect timing between them. But if you want multiple mines to go off at the same moment – unless you hire several people or a pyrotechnics team – you’ll need a remote ignition system for fireworks.

These systems are designed to ignite fireworks using electric igniters rather than traditional fuses. You attach the igniter to the visco fuse and plug it into the firing system. This setup lets you launch smoke mines one at a time, all at once, or in customized sequences – all from a remote control.

Both ignition systems and electric igniters are available in our online store under the Accessories section.

What’s the Cost of a Smoke Mine Show by Pyrotechnicians?

Hiring a pyrotechnics team to stage a daytime effect show or a smoke wall is by far the best option. Once everything’s agreed upon, you won’t have to worry about a thing. We’ll handle everything – from selecting the right products and safe setup location, notifying local authorities (if needed), to ignition and post-show cleanup.

Wondering about the cost? It depends mostly on the quantity and type of smoke mines we’ll fire for you.

As mentioned earlier, the amateur-grade mines available in our store don’t require permits. However, our team has the licenses to use professional-grade smoke mines that aren’t available in public retail. These mines are bigger and have much stronger effects – and a different price range.

Once you decide whether you want the full WOW effect with bigger mines or prefer to stick to smaller ones, we’ll help you determine how many are needed.

Typically, a mini smoke wall requires about 8–10 large mines. But if you really want to impress your guests – we recommend going bigger.

The event location also affects pricing.

If you’d like a custom quote for your celebration, email us at biuro@pirotechnicy.com. Let us know the date, location, and what effect you’re aiming for – and don’t forget to include your phone number. That way we can get you a fast, tailored quote.