Fog Machines And Fluids

In the event industry, it's indispensable: the artificially generated fog. Since light beams become visible only through it, it's what truly enhances light shows. But it's also become indispensable in stages, clubs, and even weddings.

Artificial fog is the go-to solution to give that extra touch to your light show. Only when light can refract off air particles does the light beam become visible in space. This way, even with a minimalist light setup, impressive effects can be created.

For laser shows, fog is essential, but all other effects also appear much more impressive with fog. Whether in a club or on a concert stage: a fog machine is a staple.

In analogy to the variety of purposes, different types of fog generation have also developed in the last two decades. While classic fog machines produce thick, billowing fog, fazers are responsible for the continuous, thinner fog film in the air.

Ground fog machines generate heavy, downward-sinking fog that remains like a cloud on the ground. So-called spray foggers create a special effect reminiscent of pyrotechnics: with their vertical emission, sometimes in combination with integrated LED lighting, they compete strongly with fire columns on stage.

Even in the technology used to generate fog or mist, devices differ. However, all machines are based on the simple principle that liquid is heated and thus vaporized. Depending on the fog fluid (which differs in density and duration of the generated fog), a thicker, longer-lasting fog or a thinner, film-like fog or mist is produced.

How does a fog machine work?

The most important component of a fog machine is the heating element. Here, a fluid is heated so that it vaporizes. The resulting fog is then emitted into a room through a nozzle. The fog essentially consists of very small water droplets, which are prevented from evaporating too quickly by some additives in the fluid. Fog fluid is a consumable product, so you can experiment freely with which one you like best. It's also possible to experiment with scent additives.

What power do I need?

From a power of about 400W, fog machines are suitable for room sizes of about 20 square meters. For large clubs or concert stages, there are power classes of 1500W and above. When choosing the power class, it's better to think a bit bigger than too small. Fog machines need to warm up before they can be used. Higher power classes are therefore faster and longer able to produce large amounts of fog. It's better to regulate down a high-power fog machine than to constantly operate a lower-power one at full load.

What types of fog machines are there?

There is a distinction between white, dense fog (Fog) and fine, almost invisible mist (Haze). Haze is particularly good for making light rays visible without "over-fogging" the room too much. Devices that produce a mixture of both are known as Fazers, composed of Foggers and Hazers.

With ground fog, the mixture is heavily cooled using ice cubes or dry ice. This creates a dense, white fog that stays on the ground because it is colder than the air.

Hazers

If a particularly uniform, thin mist film is desired, one can resort to so-called Hazers or Fazers. True Hazers create very fine mist with special, usually oil-based Hazer fluid through compressed air or ultrasound.

They are ideal for use at large pop concerts, where the show's light rays should be visible, but the view of the artist should still be clear.

Due to their special construction, however, true Hazers are also significantly more expensive than their alternative - the Fazer.

Fazers

Fazers differ little from classic fog machines: they produce mist from conventional fog fluid by heating it. Subsequently, the Fazer passes the generated mist through a fan and distributes it finer in the room than a normal fog machine.

Using an appropriate fluid, the visual impression of a Fazer approaches that of a Hazer - at a significantly lower price.

Ground Foggers

For special ground fog machines, the generated fog must be heavier than the surrounding air so that it settles on the ground and creates the typical cloud effect. To achieve this, dry ice can be used.

In the case of ground fog generation, fluid is not required: the machine vaporizes the dry ice inserted under high heat, which then becomes heavy, cool fog that pours a low-lying cloud into the space. The ground fog obtained in this way is often used for television productions.

However, handling dry ice can be laborious and, for inexperienced users, dangerous, so in recent years, fog machine manufacturers have developed good alternatives.

There are now ground foggers that produce heavy fog using conventional fog fluid and water. To do this, the fluid is vaporized and then mixed with water vaporized by ultrasound. The heavy fog-water mixture settles to the ground and forms clouds - not as flowing as fog produced with dry ice, but much simpler and safer to use.

The Right Fluid

Depending on the desired effect, duration, and density, various fluids are available.

While fluids that produce less dense but long-lasting fog or mist are used to support a light or laser show, fluids for fog fountains on stage are more suitable for high density and low duration.

What should I consider when buying a fog machine?

• Size: Do I want a mini fog machine or a large stage fogger?
• Power: What size of room do I want to fog?
• Fog fluid: Is the fluid suitable for my intended use?
• Control: Is there a remote control or DMX connection?