Fog machines are a staple of many parties, clubs and clubs. They fill the air with a thick mist that appears to be smoke but isn’t really smoke at all.
Fog machines can produce some amazing effects, but you need to keep them in good condition if you want them to work well.
Fog fluid is
Fog machine fluid is water based, non-toxic and generally pretty harmless! The reason it gets so hot when used in a fog machine is because it has an extremely high boiling point of around 120 degrees Celsius.
This means that the heat from the lamp causes it to evaporate into a gas rather than boil off like other fluids would do.
Fluid for fog machines can be purchased at almost any party supply store or online retailer and comes in many different types such as dichloromethane or glycol which are both very safe for use with your machine.
There are even organic options that contain no chemicals that are non-toxic to humans or pets just FYI!
The chemicals in fog fluid
The ingredients in fog fluid can break down over time, which means you may find that your machine produces less smoke than it used to.
This is one of the reasons why some companies recommend replacing their fog fluids every 6 months or so.
If you choose not to replace the fluid, the machine will likely produce less smoke and become more expensive to operate because it requires more fluid per use.
If a company recommends replacing its product every 6 months, then what should you do?
You should always follow manufacturer recommendations as they know best how their products work within their range of operating conditions (temperature, humidity).
If they say replace after three months or six months or one year, then go ahead and do so because this is what has been found by testing under those conditions.
Fog fluid bad smell
You can tell that your fog fluid has gone bad if it smells sour, like vinegar or cat urine. It may also have an acrid smell that smells like burning electrical components or a scorched circuit board.
You can also tell if your fog fluid has gone bad by testing the viscosity of the liquid with a simple kitchen gadget: a spoonful of water in a glass of water.
Add one teaspoon of your fog juice to see how it compares to plain water in terms of thickness and viscosity. If it floats on top, then it’s likely expired!
Taking care of your fog machine will make it last longer
- Keep it clean
- Use distilled water or demineralized water
- Use a filter that’s designed for fog machines and not one from a pool pump (some filters can cause your machine to overheat)
- Never overfill your machine, as this can lead to an overheating issue and possible damage to the machine itself
- Don’t leave the machine running for too long—there are likely limits on how long it should be used before needing to be cooled down
Different colors and scents affect
As you may have noticed, fog machine fluid comes in several colors and scents. Colors determine how the fog will look—you can get white, blue, or red—and scents determine how it smells.
This can be helpful if you want to create a specific atmosphere for your event: maybe you want red fog during Christmas so that it looks like snow falling all around your house; or maybe you want black smoke at a horror convention so that the audience feels creeped out by their surroundings.
But which color and scent should you choose? It’s up to personal preference! Just keep in mind that there are some considerations when choosing either one:
You want a thicker fog for quality pictures and video
There are many things you should take into consideration when choosing a fog machine to rent or buy, and the fluid your machine uses is one of them.
The type of fluid you use will have a big impact on the quality of your images and video, so it’s important to choose the right solution for your needs.
If you’re planning on using your fog machine in a professional setting where photos or videos will be taken, then thicker fluid is best.
Thicker fluids are easier to control than thinner ones and they tend to dissipate naturally after they’ve been used up. It’s more likely that thick fog will stay in one area instead of dispersing too quickly or drifting off somewhere else entirely!
Taking good care of your fog machine
- Keep it clean and dry.
- Keep it away from heat or direct sunlight.
- Don’t let it get wet! That includes humidity, which can cause mold to grow in the fluid when left on for long periods of time outside of its container.
- Replace the fluid regularly—the manufacturer will give you tips on how often to do this, but we recommend every month or two as a rule of thumb.
- Double check that the voltage is correct (if you’re using an extension cord then make sure there are no loose wires), and that your fuse is working properly before operating your machine if that’s something you use as well (if not just skip this step).
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand how to care for your fog machine and what you can do to make sure that the fog stays clear and works better.
The most important thing is to keep in mind that if you’re using a higher quality fog machine, it will last longer than one with lower quality parts.
And remember, don’t forget about safety! Always keep an eye out for fire hazards when working with heavy equipment like this.
