You've Heard About It, Now You've Found It! CryoFX® Hand Held Cannon!

For reference, here is the Hand held Cannon and also the Stage Mounted Co2 Cannons.

Need additional help in choosing which one is best for you? Call 1.855.527.9639

 

CryoFX® Hand Held Cannons have shown up in numerous productions, events, and venues across the globe. Whether you need one or more, picking the right Co2 Cannon for your event is crucial.

CryoFX LLC • 3859 S Valley View Blvd, Suite 2, Las Vegas, NV 89103 • 1.855.527.9639

 

CryoFX infamous handheld cannon, custom CO2 builds and brand activations

CryoFX built their business on a single observation: everyone else selling CO2 guns was doing it wrong.

 

In the early days of the special effects industry, two companies dominated the handheld CO2 cannon market. Neither of them published any real information about how the products worked, what tanks were needed, how to set them up, or what to do when something went wrong.

 

Buyers were on their own. Kris Mullin, CryoFX founder, saw a friend using one of these guns at an event and asked what he paid. Nine hundred dollars. Kris knew he could build the same product for significantly less, put useful information behind it, and take the market by doing what the incumbents refused to do: actually explain the product.

 

He built a few units, launched them online with real content, and the company grew from there. Competitors copied the approach. CryoFX responded by creating additional brands to fill the space and force those competitors to repeatedly reposition. That early market disruption is why the standard handheld unit earned the name: the infamous handheld CO2 cannon.

 

What makes the CryoFX handheld cannon different

CryoFX fabricates their nozzles by hand at their Las Vegas global headquarters. The internal components are redesigned from standard off-shelf configurations, so while the handle may look similar to other handheld CO2 cannons on the market (because the basic grip form has been widely copied), the internals are not the same.

 

The critical differentiator is the valve. CryoFX builds their handheld cannons with piston solenoid valves. Most competitors use diaphragm valves, which have thinner internal components, lower duty cycles, and a higher tendency to fail under sustained CO2 cycling. A piston valve is rebuildable and handles the temperature swings of liquid CO2 discharge far better over tens of thousands of cycles.

 

The housing and fittings are also built to a spec that matches the pressures and temperatures involved. CO2 special effects operate at 850 to 900 psi with discharge temperatures hitting -78.5°C (-109°F). Equipment built to lower tolerances will show it over time, usually at the seats, seals, or nozzle, the first places cheap components fail.

 

CryoFX backs the infamous handheld line with a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects, something most competitors in this space don't offer. For an overview of what a CO2 cannon is, how it works, and how the handheld cannon fits into the full product line, the complete CO2 cannon design and fabrication guide is at cryofx.com/co2-cannon.

 

The Captain Morgan build

Custom CO2 builds are where the CryoFX engineering team operates at a different level than any standard equipment supplier. The Captain Morgan project is one of the best examples of what's possible when a brand has a specific vision and a fabrication team that can execute it without compromise.

 

Captain Morgan came to CryoFX with a brief: they needed a handheld CO2 cannon that looked like an old-school cannonball cannon, the kind you'd find on a pirate ship, that a brand performer could carry, move through a crowd, and fire to grab attention. The aesthetic had to be fully on-brand. The cannon had to be mobile, lightweight enough for a performer to carry for hours, and it had to emit a specific scent with the CO2 discharge.

 

That last requirement is a significant engineering challenge. Infusing a controlled scent into a CO2 discharge requires integrating the scent medium into the CO2 path at the right point without contaminating the valve or affecting the output consistency. CryoFX developed the approach and keeps the specific method proprietary. The scent canisters were designed to be refillable without disassembling the cannon, which was a non-negotiable requirement from the client.

 

The exterior aesthetics were built with prosthetic-quality materials through a partner fabrication company. The goal was Hollywood-quality rubber and composite construction that made the cannon look authentically period-accurate while concealing the CO2 hardware inside. The trigger mechanism was retained inside the prop, the performer grips a handle at the front and pulls with the back hand, the same motion as a standard handheld CO2 cannon, just hidden within the prop exterior.

 

The hardest engineering constraint was maintaining the cannon's CO2 output quality while routing the discharge through the prop's nozzle geometry. The nozzle exit point on an old-school cannon is architecturally different from a standard SFX nozzle. Getting the right volume and visual quality out of an aesthetically accurate barrel required iterative testing on the nozzle geometry.

 

Multiple units were built and distributed to Captain Morgan brand staff for use at activations across the country. The cannon was the centerpiece of those campaigns, the crowd reaction when a performer walks up with what appears to be a fully functional pirate cannon and fires it is immediate and visceral. That kind of attention-grabbing moment is exactly what a brand activation needs to compete with everything else happening at a large event.

 

Brand activation builds

CryoFX has executed CO2 special effects brand activations for a range of major clients. Some of the builds are under NDA and can't be discussed, but a few can.

 

Smirnoff: CryoFX designed and built a chimney prop that functioned as a full CO2 and fog effects platform. The chimney was constructed with fog machine units and CO2 jets mounted at the top, producing a column of mixed fog and CO2 that extended several feet into the air and created the visual impression of a house with an active fire going inside. The brick exterior was fabricated in Smirnoff blue, referencing the brand colors, and CO2 jets were positioned to highlight the chimney outline against the event environment.

 

CryoFX managed the full production scope: internal effects systems, external fabrication, truss and rigging, activation scheduling, logistics, setup, teardown, and staffing across multiple appearances at large festivals during the activation's run. By audience feedback, the chimney was consistently the most attention-generating element at those events.

 

Bud Light, Budweiser, and Coors Light: These activations took different forms across different campaigns. Bud Light used handheld CO2 cannons carried by brand models who moved through venues and fired blasts during specific highlight moments. Budweiser's activation involved CO2 firing off oversized Budweiser bottle props. A similar concept for a Coke bottle at a Northern California stadium was in development but didn't proceed to final installation.

 

The Coors Light activation was technically distinctive. Brand models carried handheld CO2 cannons with smaller CO2 tanks fitted with regulators that controlled output pressure. When positioned near Coors Light cans on tables, the regulated CO2 output could freeze the cans on contact, cold enough to trigger the thermochromic ink on the label (the mountains that turn blue when cold) within seconds. It's a technically specific application that required matching the output temperature and flow rate to the ink's activation threshold.

 

Nissan/NASCAR: CryoFX provided CO2 effects for a Nissan launch at a NASCAR event, with vehicles driving through CO2 effects. The visual of a car emerging from a cryo fog environment translates extremely well on camera and in live settings.

 

Performer custom builds

Beyond brand activations, CryoFX regularly builds CO2 systems for individual performers who need wearable or integrated CO2 effects as part of their stage persona.

 

Jacket and sleeve systems: CryoFX has built multiple concealed CO2 systems where nozzles are routed through the arms of a jacket, with CO2 discharging from the sleeves or collar. The CO2 tank is either worn as a backpack concealed under the jacket, or a hose runs from the performer back to larger tanks positioned at the side of the stage. A small button activates the system, wired back through the costume.

 

Timmy Trumpet: CryoFX built a CO2 trumpet for Timmy Trumpet, the Australian DJ/performer whose instrument is a core part of his stage identity. CO2 was routed through the trumpet body itself, with a concealed button activating the discharge while the performer played. The engineering challenge was handling the reactive force: when CO2 fires out of a nozzle at high pressure, the blowback is substantial. The performer had to grip the trumpet tightly to maintain control during the blast.

 

Backpack systems with arm nozzles: Several performers have commissioned full backpack CO2 setups with nozzles positioned on the arms, activated by thumb-and-index-finger buttons wired through the sleeves. The tanks in these systems are worn inverted in the backpack (neck down), which matters for pressure relief safety, if the pressure relief valve fires, it vents away from the performer's head and neck.

 

Bra and headwear-mounted systems: CryoFX has also built CO2 effects into bras designed to shoot CO2 or cold sparks from the front, as well as helmet and headwear systems. These are typically for performers in themed entertainment, productions with theatrical choreography, or magician shows, CryoFX systems have appeared in Las Vegas magic shows and touring productions globally.

 

How to commission a custom build

The first conversation with CryoFX on a custom build starts with the concept. Bring whatever reference material you have: a sketch, a video of something similar, a written description, or a prop you want to integrate CO2 into. If you've seen something at an event and you want to replicate or exceed it, describe what you saw.

 

The second part of that conversation is operational requirements: how many activations per show, how long each activation runs, whether the performer or operator needs to be mobile, and what physical constraints exist (costume geometry, stage layout, performer strength and stamina).

 

Budget determines scope. CryoFX will advise on what's achievable within a given range and where tradeoffs exist. Custom CO2 system design fabrication isn't cheap, but the team's approach is "how do we make it work" rather than "this can't be done." Lead times vary based on complexity, simple custom nozzle work or branded wraps can move quickly, while full prosthetic-integrated or wearable system builds require more time for design, fabrication, and testing.

 

Safety protocols for custom builds are included as part of the delivery. Any staff or performers using CryoFX custom CO2 systems receive a parameter set of operating instructions and a safety guideline covering setup, operation, CO2 sourcing, and emergency procedures.

 

For custom CO2 cannon projects or to discuss a brand activation concept, contact CryoFX directly through their website. To browse standard units in the custom CO2 cannon for sale lineup, see cryofx.com/products/co2-cannon-products.

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FAQ

What is the CryoFX infamous handheld CO2 cannon? It's CryoFX's signature handheld CO2 cannon, named for the company's origin story and reputation in the special effects industry. The unit features hand-fabricated nozzles, redesigned internal components, piston solenoid valve construction, and a limited lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects.

 

Can CryoFX build a CO2 effect into a prop or costume? Yes. CryoFX has integrated CO2 systems into prosthetic prop cannons, trumpets, jackets, backpacks, bras, helmets, and other performer-worn or brand-specific builds. The design process starts with the client's concept and operational requirements.

 

How long does a custom CO2 build take? Lead time depends on the complexity of the build. Simple modifications or branded cosmetic changes can be done quickly. Full wearable or prosthetic-integrated systems require more time for engineering, fabrication, and testing. CryoFX does not typically say no to custom requests, the conversation is about how to execute within budget and timeline constraints.

 

What brands has CryoFX built custom CO2 activations for? Confirmed public projects include Captain Morgan, Smirnoff, Bud Light, Budweiser, Coors Light, Nissan, and others. A significant number of brand activations are under NDA and can't be discussed publicly.

 

Is it safe to have a CO2 system concealed in a costume? Yes, with proper engineering. CryoFX designs wearable systems with specific safety features: tanks are oriented inverted (neck down) so pressure relief events vent away from the performer, all hose routing accounts for movement and flexibility, and operators receive full safety training on the system before use.

 

Updated -  07/01/2026.