Smoke Bomb Glossary: Terms and Definitions
Your complete guide to smoke bomb terminology. Whether you are new to colored smoke grenades or a seasoned photographer, this glossary covers every term you need to know. For the full lineup and specs, see our smoke bomb size chart and smoke grenade buyer's guide.
A-C
- ATF Compliant
- Products that meet Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives regulations. Enola Gaye smoke grenades are ATF compliant for consumer use, and no license is needed to buy or use them in most states. See our ATF compliance and ignition guide for details.
- Burn Time
- How long a smoke grenade produces smoke after activation. Ranges from approximately 25 seconds (Twin Vent II, EG25) to 90 seconds (WP40).
- CE Approved
- European conformity marking indicating the product meets recognized safety standards. All Enola Gaye smoke grenades are CE Approved.
- Cold Burn / Cool Burn
- A smoke grenade design that emits smoke without an open flame and without an explosion. Cool-burn does not mean the canister is cold to the touch: the can still gets hot during and after the burn, so always hold it by the base and never grip the body. Place or toss it on non-flammable ground.
- CPSC
- Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. agency that oversees consumer product safety. Smoke grenades sold for consumer use fall under general consumer-product safety rules.
D-H
- Dual Vent
- A smoke grenade that emits smoke from both ends simultaneously, like the Twin Vent II. Creates a denser, wider smoke cloud in less time.
- EG25
- Enola Gaye 25mm micro smoke grenade. Compact, with an approximately 25-second burn time. Sold as a single can or in 10-packs.
- Enola Gaye
- A leading manufacturer of colored smoke grenades. Shutter Bombs sells Enola Gaye smoke grenades and ships them from our U.S. warehouse. See how the models compare.
- Fuse-Lit
- An ignition method that requires a lighter or flame to activate. Used by some competitors. Shutter Bombs grenades are not fuse-lit: every model uses wire-pull or top-pull ignition, with no lighter and no open flame needed.
- Hazmat
- Hazardous materials classification. Smoke grenades require certified hazmat ground shipping via FedEx or UPS, with no air or express service. See hazmat shipping and state legality for details.
N-S
- Net Explosive Content (NEC / NEQ)
- Net Explosive Content / Net Explosive Quantity: the weight of pyrotechnic composition inside the device, used for shipping classification. Larger 40mm cans like the WP40 carry more composition than the compact 25mm EG25, which is why their burn times and output differ.
- Non-Toxic
- Smoke that does not contain poisonous chemicals. All Enola Gaye products produce non-toxic smoke, though inhalation should still be avoided and the grenades should be used outdoors or in large, ventilated spaces.
- Single Vent
- A smoke grenade that emits smoke from one opening at the top. Most models (EG25, WP40, WP40-D, TP40) are single vent.
- Smoke Bomb
- Common term for a smoke-producing device. Technically called a smoke grenade. Used for photography, events, gender reveals, and training. Browse the full range in our colored smoke bombs collection.
- Smoke Grenade
- The technical term for a handheld device that produces colored smoke when activated. More accurate than "smoke bomb."
- Sulphur-Free
- A smoke composition that does not contain sulphur, producing cleaner smoke without a harsh chemical smell. Enola Gaye uses a non-toxic, cool-burn formula.
T-W
- Top Pull
- Ignition method where you pull the cap straight up from the top of the device. Used by the TP40, which makes fast one-handed redeploys easy between takes.
- TP40
- Enola Gaye top-pull smoke grenade. Approximately 60-second burn time, 40mm diameter. The red/white/blue TP40 'Merica Pack bundles six. Shop TP40.
- Twin Vent II
- Enola Gaye dual-vent wire-pull smoke grenade. Fires smoke from both ends at once for an intense burst lasting approximately 25 seconds. Shop Twin Vent II.
- Wire Pull
- Enola Gaye's wire-pull ignition method. Pull the ring firmly to the side to activate, never straight up. No lighter needed. Used by the EG25, WP40, WP40-D, and Twin Vent II. Wire Pull vs Top Pull.
- WP40
- Enola Gaye wire-pull smoke grenade. Approximately 90-second burn time, 40mm diameter, the longest burn in the family. Best seller. Shop WP40.
- WP40-D
- Enola Gaye wire-pull smoke grenade. Approximately 60-second burn time, 40mm diameter, at the lowest per-can price in the 40mm family. The red/white/blue WP40-D 'Merica Pack bundles six. Shop WP40-D.