1. Use a container that looks like a cauldron and is suitable for holding hot water.
2. Fill two thirds of the container with hot water.
3. When ready to create the fog effect, gradually add small pieces of dry ice to the container, dry ice pellets work best.
4. When the water cools, replace it with hot water or reheat the water if possible.

Note: A ‘soup kettle’ commonly found in restaurants and bars has a thermostat that will keep the water hot. Using this as a container means that all you have to do is add pieces of dry ice to maintain the effect.

To create a 10-minute period of fog put 2.3 to 4.5 kgs of Dry Ice into 15 to 30 litres of hot water. To create a more subtle atmospheric fog, use the smaller suggested amount of dry ice.

The fog will flow down toward the ground and in the direction of any air movement. Use a small fan to help control the direction of the fog.

Reheat or replace the water once the fog effect ceases and add more dry ice to your container.

To create the ultimate Halloween Cauldron Cake, just add dry ice fog effect.

1. Insert a small plastic container into the top of the cake
2. Place some dry ice pellets (1/4 cup) in the plastic container
3. Get the camera ready
4. Add some hot water (1/4 cup) – the water will splash so don’t over fill the container.

Many thanks to Jenny’s Cupcakes for the photo of her masterpiece.

Visit Jenny’s Facebook page.

To create the fog effect, pour heated water over dry ice. Hot water creates a more dramatic fog and warm water a more subtle effect. Small pieces of Dry Ice, like pellets, have more surface area, and therefore produce a greater amount of fog. They also cool the water down much faster. The result: a more dramatic fog effect for a shorter length of time. Keep the water heated to produce the fog effect for a longer time.

The greatest amount of fog will be produced the first 5 to 10 minutes. There will be far less fog for the next 5 to 10 minutes as the water cools and the volume of Dry Ice diminishes. As the water temperature cools, the fog becomes wispier. When the water gets colder than 50°F or 10°C, the Dry Ice stops making fog, but continues to sublimate and bubble.