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# So, you wanna blow your hand off? (The retard's guide to blowing shit up, volume 2: Dextrin)

Written by: Enigma

Ok, now this isn't actually an explosive and I know that's a bummer, but face it, not everything you make has to explode. Today's lesson is on dextrin. "WTF?", you say? Well, I'll tell you. Dextrin is used as a binder in pyrotechnics, simply put, it helps shit stick where you want it. Trust me, this is really valuable to know if you play around with this kind of shit (even though you shouldn't).

Buying dextrin is a bit tricky, but that doesn't matter, since we can make it easier than burning cookies. Here's what you need:

1. Corn (or some other kind, like potato) starch.
2. A baking tray (cookie sheet)

Spread out the starch on your cooking tray very thinly, then bake it for about three hours at around 415F. (212.7C --ed.) Make sure you stir it around a bit every 15 min or so.

Bam, you've just made dextrin. It'll be the slightly dark yellow powder. It's not volatile, so don't worry, but you want to keep it dry or else it'll swell up and form a kind of glue.

Short but sweet, that's how I like 'em. And that's how this little lesson's gonna be. True, we didn't make anything explode this time, but that's just tough shit. Keep taking notes though, 'cause all these little things will come together later on.

Copyright 2005, EuroHacker Magazine