Review of Pure Smoke

There's little doubt that if you can make something vanish in a puff of smoke, you will enhance that magical moment. And for this, Ellusionist’s “Pure Smoke” offers a solid and workable mechanism to create, at will, a mysterious puff of water vapor that comes off as thick, white smoke that slowly emanates from your hands. The device has many magical applications and can also work as something of a mini fog machine to create a limited amount of smoke to fill a small container such as a wine glass.

While the smoke looks spontaneous to spectators and it’s easy to produce when you need it, “Pure Smoke” is actually a sophisticated device that makes it all happen. At it’s core, “Pure Smoke” consists of an electronic pump and switch that’s connected with a tube to a heating element that’s worn in your sleeve. It’s a well engineered device that’s well constructed and doesn’t feel flimsy or home made.

To start, the electronic pump is well integrated into a single device that also works as the switching mechanism. The trigger, which is under your arm, allows you secretly stimulate the production of the smoke with a minimum of movement (the triggering should be imperceptible to spectators). The switch is designed to be used by both right handed and left handed magicians. There’s a slight delay between the trigger and the appearance of the smoke, but it’s less than a second.

The battery pack requires four AA batteries and Ellusionists says that the batteries should last some 200 plus “smokes” (Ellusionist recommends that you use rechargeable batteries). The pump emanates a light humming sound, but it’s fairly quiet. I don’t think that noise from the unit should pose a problem.

To handle “Pure Smoke,” you’ll be wearing elastic straps under your clothing as well. The straps are easily adjusted and comfortable to wear. They allow for a good amount of movement and don’t constrain your motion, however, you'll know that the mechanism is there. Some adjustment is required.

The heating element is connected to the main device and easily attaches to the inside of your sleeve. This way, you can produce smoke and then pull up your sleeves to apparently show nothing in your sleeves (but you actually push the device up your arm with the sleeve). There’s also a second means to wear the heating element on your wrist. In all, Ellusionist has done a great job of providing two means to wear and employ the device. You’re free to choose the one that works best for your clothing, performance venue, effects and needs.

The “Pure Smoke” kit comes with ten cartridges and each is supposed to provide, on average, 75 puffs of smokes. You can purchase ten refills for $24.95 and larger quantities reduce the price per cartridge. Ellusionist says that color smoke cartridges will be available in the future to create black, red, blue, yellow and green smoke.

When you open the box, there’s a clear warning that states: “due to heat hazard and inhalation risks, persons under 18 should not use this product. The use/misuse of this product involves risk of burn.” The system does employ a heating element and Ellusionist says that with correct use, the risk of burn is minimized. Ellusionist also states that “‘Pure Smoke’ relies on water vapor and not unknown and potentially harsh chemicals that may have been employed in prior devices.”

To learn how to use your “Pure Smoke” system, Ellusionist offers an informative 40-minute online video. I found the video thorough and helpful, and the device itself to be fairly straightforward to hook up, wear and work. Despite the great design, you will want to practice before you perform.

“Pure Smoke” has lots of applications in card tricks, coin effects, stage and stand-up magic and close-up. If you’re looking to add some mysterious smoke to your magic - a smoldering cloud that emanates from your hands - “Pure Smoke” provides a great way to do so.