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SMOKE
MACHINES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
(FAQS)
On this page we aim to answer as many of your smoke
machine / fog generator questions as possible. There are a lot
of questions, and we add to them often. We've tried to order them
logically, but you may wish to do a "Find..." (Ctrl+F
in IE) word search with your internet browser to find just what
you're looking for. If you have a question that you feel should
be on this page, please let us know.
Most common questions:
Can you add colour to smoke from smoke machines?
No - it is not possible. Use lighting to colour the smoke or use
our pyrotechnic coloured smoke.
In depth answer...
Do you have a smoke machine that does not
require mains power?
Yes - our 12V DC smoke
machine, car
security smoke screen and our exterior
gas powered smoke gun.
In depth answer...
Do smoke machines set off smoke detectors?
Yes, both smoke machines and hazers will set off smoke particle
detectors, but not heat detectors. It's worth checking with the
venue before use. If you are using a smoke machine to test smoke
detectors, we can help!
Can I use a smoke machine in the UK or Ireland
since the public smoking ban?
The provisions of the Health Act 2006 inasmuch as smoking is concerned
makes the possession of lit tobacco in a smoke-free place an offence.
Therefore, the issue of smoke machines does not feature unless the
smoke comes from lit tobacco - which from any of our products is
not the case!
Are smoke machines dangerous?
No - we wouldn't be selling them if they were.
In depth answer...
Click on a question below
to view the answer.
Smoke machine basics:
What's the difference between a smoke
machine and a fog machine?
What is a smoke machine?
How does a smoke machine work?
What makes the smoke?
How much do smoke machines cost?
Are smoke machines dangerous?
Are smoke machines a risk to health?
About Pea Soup:
Where can I buy a smoke machine?
Where can I hire a smoke machine?
Do you repair smoke machines?
Can I place my order over
the internet?
Can I place my order without
a credit/debit card?
Why do you only sell to the
UK?
Specific applications:
Other Questions:
What do people use smoke machines
for?
Which smoke machine do you recommend?
Why should I get a professional machine instead
of a cheaper version?
What safety advice is there for smoke machine use?
How long does the smoke hang in the air for?
How long do smoke machines take to heat up for
operation?
How do I clean my smoke machine?
What is 'dry ice'?
What's the difference between dry ice, liquid nitrogen,
oil and water based smoke machines?
How do smoke and fog chillers work?
What is a hazer?
What is the difference between a smoke machine
and a hazer?
How much does smoke machine fluid cost?
Do I have to use the fluid that the manufacturer makes
for my machine?
Why is smoke machine fluid so expensive?
Where does 'dry ice' get its name?
Can I buy smoke fluid that makes coloured smoke?
What are "intelligent lights"?
What's the
difference between a smoke machine and a fog machine?
The terms 'smoke machine' and 'fog machine'
both refer to the same type of unit.
'Fog machine' is the term used more in the United States, and 'smoke
machine' is the term mainly used in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Technically, the correct terminology is 'fog machine', as
the dictionary definition of fog is 'liquid particles suspended
in the air' (smoke/fog machines always vapourise liquid), whereas
smoke is 'solid particles suspended in the air'. Tradition along
with product descriptions over the decades has created this moniker
foible.
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What is a
smoke machine?
A smoke machine is basically an eletro-mechanical
unit which produces clouds of smoke on demand. Smoke machines are
used in theatres, night clubs, film and television studios, theme
parks and other entertainment applications to produce a smoke or
fog effect which creates the illusion of fog, steam, smoke from
a fire, and many other effects. They are also used to create 'safe
smoke' in fire training scenarios, for leak testing of buildings
and containers, and air flow in wind tunnels. Their size can range
from that of a wine bottle to a car.
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How does a
smoke machine work?
A smoke machine, in its simplest terms, is a heating
element which gets very hot, through which special fluid is pumped
and is vapourised, thereby creating smoke vapour which exits the
machine through the nozzle. Electronic circuitry ensures that the
heating block in the smoke machine is kept between certain temperatures
- too hot and the machine turns into a flame thrower - too cold
and it shoots out hot liquid.
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What makes
the smoke?
The most common type of smoke machine are those which
use a water-based fluid, which is made up mainly of pharmaceutical
grade glycol and water. There are also other harmless chemicals
in the fluid. Other types of smoke machine include dry ice machines
(which create a low lying heavy fog that uses solid carbon dioxide
AKA dry ice), liquid nitrogen (which also creates a low lying fog),
oil based smoke machines (similar in principle to water based machines,
but uses an oil rather than a water base - the smoke can withstand
much higher temperatures) and hazers (water based haze generators,
mainly used to accentuate lighting than for conventional 'smoke'
effects).
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How much do
smoke machines cost?
Smoke machines range in price, but as the Romans used
to say, "Talia expensa sic empta" - you get what you pay
for. We sell machines by the most reputable and consistent companies.
Smoke machines that are capable of operating continuously at high
output will cost more but always have the power available for larger
and more varied applications and will never require a re-heat dead
band.
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Where can
I buy a smoke machine?
Pea Soup supply a wide range of smoke machines
in the UK - view product list.
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Where
can I hire a smoke machine?
Pea Soup hire out smoke machines in the UK
- view Hire page.
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Do
you repair smoke machines?
Pea Soup can repair many makes and models of
smoke machine - but only the ones we sell. Please contact us for
details.
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Can I place
my order over the internet?
Yes, for UK delivery we prefer online orders.
We accept Visa, Mastercard Switch, Solo, Maestro, Visa Delta, Visa
Electron, JCB and Eurocard. Click here
to for ordering instructions.
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Can I place
my order without a credit / debit card?
Yes. Once you have selected the machine, fluid and/or
accessories you'd like, print off and complete the order
form and send it along with either a cheque for the correct
amount, made payable to 'Pea Soup Ltd.', or with your credit card
details filled in on the order form to the address at the bottom
of the form. Full step-by-step instructions are on the how
to order page. We also accept (and prefer) payment via BACS
bank balance transfer. Contact us for the details.
Public Sector / Large Companies: First order must
be paid pro-forma. Please FAX your purchase order
to 07092 263 475. We can accept GPCs (Government
Procurement Cards) for payment.
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Do you send items overseas?
We can and do regularly send the hand
portable, high
output, oil-based
and 12V DC machines worldwide. Please contact
us for a shipping quote prior to placing an order.
UK Delivery
Selling other machines overseas currently presents logistical problems
with concerns to distribution and billing. In certain cases
however (depending on the smoke machine required), it is possible,
so do please enquire. We have agreements with certain fog
machine manufacturers to sell to the UK only. If you are a distributor
or supplier of smoke machines in a country other than the UK and
would like to act as a distributor, please contact us.
USA Delivery
Please see our fog
machine page for smoke machines available to USA residents,
many dispatched from the US.
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What do people
use smoke machines for?
In theatre, TV & film to create fire effects,
fog (weather) and other special effects, such as low lying mist,
In fire safety training to add realism to the scenario,
In leak testing to visually indicate where there are leaks in buildings,
containers, duct work, extraction, HVAC systems, etc.,
In air flow testing to visualise air currents in rooms,
In wind tunnel testing and to test air flow in tunnels and on designs
of cars, planes, etc.,
At theme parks and on rides to create atmosphere and special effects,
In nightclubs to pick-out beams of light,
For parties, ...
...plus many, many more uses!
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Which smoke
machine do you recommend?
If you need help in choosing a machine your your specific
application, please contact us for friendly
advice. They vary widely in features and price and some are more
appropriate to certain applications than others.
Why not try our smoke
machine selector to choose a smoke machine suitable
for your requirement?
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Why should
I get a professional machine instead of a cheaper version?
Professional machines are built to last for years
of heavy operation either in fixed installations or in mobile applications.
Most have no 'dead band', which means that they're always ready
to make smoke on cue. They'll also be able to create lots more smoke
a lot more quickly than cheap machines. Cheaper machines often automatically
disable the pump while they're heating back up to temperature, and
if you're using the machine in a time sensitive operation (in the
theatre for example where you have set cues for smoke to appear),
this re-heating dead band could be happening when you need to operate
the machine on cue. The dead band may last for up to 1 minute -
perhaps longer. Many professional machines have the ability to create
continuous thick, dry, white fog output, and can create huge amounts
of fog on demand.
We sell so many of our smoke machines to customers
who have previously bought machines for £40.00 from other
retailers which have failed after only a few months. In the long
run, it's false economy to use these 'toy' machines in professional
applications.
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Are smoke
machines dangerous?
Not if used sensibly. The only danger involved is
if the cases are opened (thus the risk of an electric shock - as
with every electical applicance) or if the casing of certain units
are touched (they can get very hot and may burn you). The smoke
which comes out of the smoke nozzle can also be very hot and often
there are notices on the machine itself warning of this. Under no
circumstances should you touch the nozzle that the smoke comes out
of - this will always be very hot when the unit is switched on (and
for quite a long time after it is switched off until it cools down).
Manufacturers often warn that you shouldn't install the machine
where the public can touch it or touch the hot smoke being generated.
The recommended distance ranges from 50cm - 3 metres. If you need
the smoke to appear in a public area, one way to get round this
safety recommendation is to use ducting to allow you to keep the
machine well away. Smoke machines should always be used in a well
ventilated area. In case the unit's temperature control malfunctions,
it is also wise not to install a machine above people's heads.
You must be very careful when using dry ice smoke machines in confined
spaces, as the carbon dioxide produced displaces oxygen in the air
and can cause suffocation. Actors shouldn't really lie down in the
smoke. There are alternatives to dry ice for low lying smoke, such
as chiller units for normal smoke machines and special all-in-one
low smoke generators. Think of the poor musicians in the orchestra
pit! The moisture in the cloud of dry ice fog sometimes de-tunes
their instruments. Check with the machine's manual for details.
You must use the fluid recommended by the manufacturer of the machine.
Using other fluid could not only damage the machine (and void the
warranty) but also create toxins in the smoke. Even a slight change
in the mixture of smoke fluid can cause this. Safe, non-toxic smoke
is your responsibility!
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Are smoke
machines a risk to health?
The smoke that is produced from the water or oil based
smoke machines that we sell is non-toxic and safe when you use the
correct manufacturers fluid. For more information, please read the
health & safety documents for each type of smoke fluid we sell,
which can be found on each smoke fluid product information page.
For certain people with asthma or breathing problems, dense smoke
can cause eye, nose and throat irritation. It's not advisable to
make or use home-made fluid mixture. Always use professionally made
fluid. Non-toxic smoke is your responsibility. This link may be
useful to you: ESTA
- fog and smoke working group
- examining the effects of fog and smoke on health. There are other
links to smoke & health related web sites on the Links
page.
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What safety
advice is there for smoke machine use?
For water/oil based machines:
The nozzle and sometimes the whole smoke machine (except handle)
gets very hot. Don't touch the hot areas. The areas that get hot
usually have a warning note on them. The smoke that comes out of
the nozzle is fairly hot and it is always advisable not to go any
closer than 50cm in front of it. It shouldn't be installed where
the public can get closer than 50 cm from the smoke from the nozzle.
Smoke machines shouldn't be installed directly over the public's
head. Sometimes they can spit hot fluid out of their nozzle which
can burn. Smoke machines are very high power electrical units, often
using more than 1kW of electricity, so be careful
not to use them in wet places such as outside in the rain.
For dry ice machines:
Dry ice is sub zero and can cause frostbite if handled with bare
hands. Always use special gloves to handle dry ice. Dry ice shouldn't
be kept in airtight containers.
Don't let people lie down in dry ice fog. They could suffocate.
Dry ice machines boil water. This is not only very hot but very
heavy too, so it's advisable not to struggle lifting these heavy
machines alone.
ALSO: Please be careful when refilling smoke machines
- mop up any spills, as people can slip on any fluid left on the
floor (it is more slippy than water).
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How long
does the smoke hang in the air for?
We supply different smoke fluids that will disperse
at different rates. Some, such as Le
Maitre's Extra Quick Dissipating fluid can disperse as quickly
as steam - disappearing seconds shortly after exiting the smoke
machine nozzle, making it great for effects where a large build
up of fog is not wanted, other fluids make smoke that hangs in the
air for hours. Our oil
based smoke generator's smoke will hang for 3 - 4 hours - even
in hot environments. It all depends on the application, but if the
smoke machine is in a theatre or other location where ventilation
is an issue, a fairly quick dispersing fluid should be used so that
the location doesn't get fogged up too quickly. A nightclub would
normally use a long lasting fluid so the smoke picks out light beams
and so that they don't have to keep activating the smoke machine
which tends to bring attention to itself (or ideally use a hazer).
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How long
do smoke machines take to heat up for operation?
Some conventional machines take a minute or two, some
five or ten, and some longer. Usually the heat-up time is mentioned
on our product information page. Many non-professional (cheaper)
smoke machines will have a 'dead-band' which is when the smoke machine
needs to re-heat and stops itself from being operated while this
happens. This can be a problem when in a situation where smoke needs
to appear on cue such as on television or at a theatre, but is ususally
fine for parties or home use when this isn't so much of an issue.
Security smoke machines take only a few seconds to heat up.
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Do you sell machines that can be
used without electrical power?
Yes - two (one gas powered, one battery powered),
and another three that can be unplugged from the mains after an
initial heat-up period.
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How do I
clean my smoke machine?
After a while, smoke machines can get clogged up with
ash and carbon - a by-product of heating smoke fluid. Smoke fluid
can be quite a viscous liquid, so it's almost unavoidable that the
machine gets clogged over time. To avoid it happening, follow the
instructions you get with your smoke machine with regards to cleaning
it. Some suggest a litre of distilled water for every 5 litres of
fluid that the machine uses, others suggest water and white vinegar
after 40 hours of continuous operation. They may also instruct you
to take parts of the nozzle to bits and brush them clean, as they
can also become coated in carbon. This is when a maintainable heating
block is useful, as found in most professional machines. We supply
oil based smoke generators
that self-purge themselves after each smoke issue, meaning the
heating block never gets clogged.
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What is 'dry
ice'?
Dry ice is solid carbon dioxide gas. It's called dry
ice because when it 'melts' it changes in state from a solid directly
to a gas without ever becoming a liquid. This process is called
sublimation. When dry ice is
put into boiling water it sublimates and creates these clouds of
thick heavy fog which clings to the ground (because it is cold and
more dense than air). The fog is odourless and colourless as it
is literally clouds of water droplets (and it can therefore leave
the stage slightly wet). The Peasouper
is a dry ice machine that self-contains this effect
for convenient use.
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What's the
difference between dry ice, liquid nitrogen, oil and water based
smoke machines?
Dry ice and liquid nitrogen smoke machines both create
a heavy low lying fog effect. The materials they use to create this
are often difficult and expensive to get hold of for most people,
hard to store, and the effect can now be easily created on demand
by new electronic water based versions. Disney theme parks tend
to use nitrogen foggers as the cost of liquid nitrogen is less in
bulk than special effect fog fluids. It also disperses quickly and
causes no irritation to even sensitive asthmatics. Oil based smoke
machines produce smoke than can withstand much higher temperatures
than water based fog. Ideal for fire safety training which may also
include real flames (water based smoke would simply disappear into
the flames if used in conjunction with them). Oil based machines
slightly more toxic - they should not be used in an unventilated
environment and some people find the smoke unpleasant to breathe.
They are ideal for fire training scenarios, as the smoke doesn't
layer or disappear at high temperatures like that of a water based
smoke. Water based machines are now the 'standard' smoke machine
in entertainment applications. There are many different types of
water based fluid which hang in the air for hours or disperse quickly
like steam. It's the safest type of machine which is one of the
reasons why it's the most popular.
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How do smoke
and fog chillers work?
Fog chillers cool the conventional 'hot' smoke from
a conventional smoke machine to sub-zero temperatures so that it
sinks to the ground with a similar effect to that of dry ice or
liquid nitrogen. They can save money in the long-term, as dry ice
and liquid nitrogen is expensive to deliver and doesn't last very
long, even if correctly stored. Special molecular or quick dispersing
fluid is often used with fog chillers for two reasons - it makes
the fog last the same length of time that dry ice fog would before
disappearing, and if longer lasting fluid was used when the smoke
warms up again it will rise and fill the room with normal fog that
hangs in the air.
Le Maitre make two chiller units. They convert fog from the normal
smoke machine into heavy fog by chilling the fog to sub-zero temperatures
using a liquid CO2 cylinder. It's so much more easy and convienient
than dry ice and more easily stored for longer lengths of time.
Other chiller units are simply large refridgeration systems. They're
very expensive and use a lot of power.
Be aware that some 'fog chillers' require you to put dry ice or
conventional water ice into them to chill the fog (which doesn't
make them as convienient as chillers that don't use ice, but the
dry ice will last longer).
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What is a
hazer?
A machine that creates a very fine haze which is used
to enhance lighting beams. Hazers don't create clouds of thick smoke
like smoke machines for special effects. They're favoured by television
studios as the haze is almost invisible (for the cameras to see
through it) yet it picks out light beams like smoke does. Hazers
available.
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What is the
difference between a smoke machine and a hazer?
Smoke machines create thick white smoke, whereas hazers
create a thinner haze which can be seen when beams of light strike
it. Hazers are often used when the blast of smoke from a smoke machine
would be too intrusive or noisey. The visibility of smoke created
by smoke machines means they're used for special effects, fire training,
and all of the other applications mentioned on this site. Hazers
can be left to operate continuously and inconspicuously.
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How much
does smoke machine fluid cost?
It costs from £11.25 for 5 litres (supplied
in box of 4) to £60 for the more specialist mixes such as
those which create a fog that disperses quickly or that is specially
designed for use in the fog chiller units mentioned in an earlier
question. Different manufacturers of fluid charge different prices,
which is why generic smoke fluids have been made and are sold worldwide.
On the container it will say "suitable for use in most smoke
machines". Only the recommended fluid should be used in your
machine - see next question.
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Do I have
to use the fluid that the manufacturer makes for my machine?
This is a very good question. When you buy a smoke
machine, the instruction manual you receive with it will tell you
that you must use fluid that has been made by the same manufacturer
for that machine. Using other types of fluid will invalidate the
warranty and could damage the machine. Other fluids may work in
the machine, but by no means all. They may create a sub-standard
smoke that is unpleasant to breathe and could damage your health.
They could also damage your machine. If you do use another manufacturer's
fluid in your machine and need to get it repaired under warranty,
the first thing the service engineer will do is use a special indicator
to see if you've used the correct fluid or not. You will either
then be charged for the repair, or it will be sent back to you unrepaired.
If you want to see your smoke machine last a long time, we recommend
you use the manufacturer's fluid. It will be optimised for use in
your machine.
The main reason smoke generator manufacturers state
that the chemical used should be their own is that generators are
designed around a specific mixture of chemicals, with specific boiling
ranges. Using a smoke fluid that for example is based on propylene
glycol /water, which has a relatively low boiling range, through
a generator set for glycerine / water (with a much higher boiling
range) potentially can crack the chemical, forming unpleasant and
potentially toxic compounds (acroleins, aldehydes etc). Even changing
the % of water in a mixture can have an effect.
A couple of years ago all the major manufacturers
prepared a joint letter stressing the dangers, or more accurately
potential dangers of mixing and matching smoke chemicals, stressing
that so called generic smoke chemicals simply could not be relied
upon to produce a consistent and safe smoke in every generator.
Safe smoke that is non-toxic to breathe in is your
responsibility.
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Why is smoke
machine fluid expensive?
Manufacturers use very pure pharmaceutical grade ingredients
which have an impurity factor of one per billion or similar (very
pure) plus the cost of transportation of bulky heavy fluid containers.
Hazer fluid is generally more expensive than smoke machine fluid,
as hazers aren't yet as common as smoke machines and have a different
composition.
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Where does
'dry ice' get its name?
Because the ice is cold (sub-zero) but never gets
wet when it melts because it sublimates (see earlier question) turning
directly from a solid to a gas without ever becoming a liquid (unlike
water ice).
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Can I buy
smoke fluid that makes coloured smoke?
No. Fluid that creates coloured fog has never worked
and is not available anywhere. The best way to make coloured smoke
is to use normal smoke fluid (white smoke) and to colour wash the
smoke with coloured lighting. You may see certain smoke fluids are
coloured themselves (usually green, red, blue) but the smoke released
is white. This is simply a colour indicator to let you know what
type of fluid it is in the bottle (say, quick dispersing or long
lasting).
The alternative is to use theatrical smoke pyrotechnics
that actually make proper coloured smoke - but they can stain fabrics
and materials the smoke comes into contact with and the smoke shouldn't
be breathed in. Le
Maitre are the leaders in stage pyrotechnics manufacturer, and we
supply their products.
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What are
"intelligent lights"?
Intelligent lights are light fixtures whose beams
move and change colour and pattern. They can either use a mirror
which moves the projected beam of light (scans or scanners), or
move the whole lantern body (moving head). They often use DMX control
via a computerised control system. Often used at concerts, discotheques,
outdoor events, on TV and in the theatre.
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Read the
Wise Owl's Answers
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