How to Make a Vinegar Grenade

If you want to see an explosion, make a vinegar grenade. The mixture of gases form CO2 (carbon dioxide) causing the vinegar grenade to explode in the air when tossed. This can be exciting to watch but also dangerous. You have to exercise great caution when making and throwing a vinegar grenade. Follow these steps to learn how to make an exploding vinegar grenade to impress your friends.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Empty 35 mm film canister
• Bottle cap
• Vinegar
• Baking soda

1. Check to make sure that the bottle cap fits inside the 35mm film canister without flipping over while it's inside. The bottle cap should drop down inside. Remove the bottle cap.

2. Pour vinegar into the film canister. It should be about 1/4 full of vinegar.

3. Put baking soda in the bottle cap. Set the bottle cap upwards in the film canister so that it is floating on the vinegar. This will keep the two chemicals apart until you are ready to launch the vinegar grenade.

4. Set the film canister on a flat surface carefully so as not to spill baking soda into the vinegar. Carefully put the film canister lid on without shaking or jarring the live vinegar grenade.

5. Throw the vinegar grenade upward as hard as possible at an arc. Try to put a spin on it. As the vinegar mixes with the baking soda the CO2 will cause the lid to pop off the film canister resulting in an explosion.

Tips & Warnings

• Never throw a vinegar grenade at a person or animal. It can severely injure someone, especially if thrown near the face.
• Always throw the vinegar grenade outdoors as it is very messy.