Colour of the Smoke

[ignaciojn]

Here's a little thing that has me wondering.
Sometimes, the smoke coming out is a perfect grey. Other times, it has a definite blue tint. Or yellow. Or brownish.
Anybody knows the physics behind this?

 

[mikethompson]

Blue means burning oil right? White is water?
Hmm I've never noticed different colours in my smoke, usually only grey.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ha ha, I was going to say something about burning oil and water also, ha ha.

I haven't noticed the color of the smoke changing. I will try to pay more attention.

 

[mso489]

I haven't noticed a lot of difference in the color of pipe smoke, but I would attribute it in a large degree to lighting. The particles in smoke are always light-catchers, so any ambient light will get reflected. Since light from windows, various electric light sources, firelight, candles, etc., all give decidedly different shades of light, the smoke reflects these. I would guess different tobacco leaf and blends give off different colors, but I think those would be subtle differences.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Ambient light probably plays a bigger role in giving the smoke an appearance of color.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Nicotine content maybe? I've noticed ropes make yellow brown wisps.

 

[ray47]

Ambient light probably plays a bigger role in giving the smoke an appearance of color.

I've noticed where I smoke, ie….. indoors vs outdoors, sunlit room vs shaded room, has an effect on the color.

 

[mikethompson]

Ha ha, I was going to say something about burning oil and water also, ha ha.

beat you to it I guess!

 

[bnichols23]

Something tells me miket has never tried GM CBF -- Cracked Block Flake.

 

[kickinbears]

Are you getting different smoke profiles with different blends? Different pipes? Any other variables changing?

 

[Chasing Embers]

The way I smoke, you rarely see any smoke at all.

 

[ignaciojn]

Are you getting different smoke profiles with different blends? Different pipes? Any other variables changing?

I'll be honest, I haven't been paying attention. I usually smoke in the same room, with the same light.

But pipes and blends do get rotated a lot.