Make Snow
Just because it's cold doesn't mean there's snow on the ground. Many machines that make snow are expensive and impractical. However, if you want to make a light accumulation of snow, there are a few ways to accomplish this.
Contents
Steps
Making Snow with a Snow Maker
- Make sure you have the proper weather conditions. Snow making depends on the weather. The ideal conditions are temperatures {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} or lower, with a low humidity. Snow making works best with a humidity under 50%.
- Gather the parts for the snow maker. The items for a snow maker can range from cheap to expensive. For a reasonably priced snow gun, visit the plumbing section in your local hardware store. You will need the following items:
- 1/4” cap - 1
- 1/4” NPT Tee – 1
- 1/4”close hex nipple - 1
- 1/4” x 2” pipe nipple - 4
- 1/4" Female Ball or Gate Valve – 2
- Female garden hose adapter – 1
- Teflon tape
- Wrap each connector with Teflon tape. This aids in the sealing process of the parts of your snow gun so it doesn’t leak. Wrap the tape around the threaded ends. The threads should be visible through the tape.
- Drill a hole in the cap. Use a 7/64" drill bit when you drill the hole. This hole is where the snow will come out. This hole needs to be small, so make sure you don't make it any larger. When the water comes out, it should be a fine mist. Otherwise, you won't have snow.
- Make sure the tape is wrapped in a way so it does not come apart when screwing the pieces together.
- Assemble the parts. The parts should fit together if you bought the correct sizes. All fittings should be 1/4” NPT fittings. You will need adjustable wrenches and vice grips when putting these parts together. Also make sure that each part is as tight and secure as possible. Put the parts together the following way:
- Screw the cap onto one end of the hex nipple. Then, connect one of the vertical ends of the Tee to the other end of the nipple.
- On the other end of the Tee (directly across from the hex nipple), connect the 2” nipple. This should leave one smooth side on the Tee, and one remaining opening.
- Connect one gate or ball valve to the other end of the 2” nipple. On the other side of the valve, connect the other 2” nipple.
- On the remaining opening of the Tee, connect a 2” nipple. Next, the other valve should be attached. On the other side of the ball valve, attach the last 2” nipple.
- Finally, the female garden hose adapter should be attached to end of the 2” nipple.
- Set up the snow-maker on a stand. You want the snow to blow up at an angle, such as 45 degrees. You can set the snow maker on a tripod made from metal bars, the edge of a fence or deck, or any other sturdy, tall surface. Make sure to secure the snowmaker securely to the stand.
- Attach the water hose. The garden hose should first be attached to the water spigot. The other end of the hose should be attached to the female garden hose adapter.
- When setting up the snow maker stand, make sure to think about how long the garden hose is. You must have enough room between the water spigot and the snow maker.
- Connect the air compressor to the 2” nipple. The air compressor should be able to pump 8 CFM at 40 PSI or 6-7 CFM at 90 PSI. You can find this on the side of your air compressor. Turn on your water. The air and water pressure should stay around 40-50 PSI.
- CFM means cubic feet per minute, while PSI means pounds per square inch.
- Before turning on your compressor or the water, make sure the valves are closed.
- Slowly open the valves. This will be trial and error. Start off slowly, just letting a little water and air through at a time.
- Don’t let your air pressure get higher than your water pressure.
- This snow gun uses internal mixing, which is when the water and compressed air mix inside the snowmaker to make snow. Make sure you watch and regulate the amount of water and air flow.
Making Snow with Boiling Water
- Make sure the weather conditions are right. For this method to work, the weather needs to be extremely cold, like {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}}.
- Boil water. The water must be at {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} for this to work. If it is much colder, the water may not freeze.
- Toss the boiling water into the air. Make sure to do this away from you. You do not want the water coming back to hit you. If the experiment fails, you could get burned. If the temperature is cold enough and the water is boiling, you should have snow.
- Boiling water is close to the gaseous stage. When it's tossed into the air, droplets vaporize. But extremely cold air can't hold water vapor like warm air, so the droplets condense and freeze.
Tips
- Brass or galvanized materials work better. However, they are more expensive.
- Gate valves work better than ball valves, but they are more expensive.
- You can use a MEG nozzle instead of a drilled cap.
- Snow makers can also be used with pressure hoses if you own one of those.
- You can also make an external mixing snowmaker. This requires more construction and parts.
Warnings
- Always be careful when assembling and operating a snow gun. Wear protective eye covering.
- Never toss boiling water near anyone, including yourself. There is always a risk the experiment will fail. This can cause burns.
- There's always a risk when using a snowmaker. Water can back up into your air compressor and damage it, or in extreme cases, air can back up into your water system. Use caution when operating the snowmaker.
