A fog machine or foggers as they are sometimes referred to are electrical appliances designed to disperse fog or create a mist in the atmosphere for entertainment reasons. They function by dispersing a gaseous substance into the atmosphere and coupled with special lighting effects create distinctly captivating effects for an audience.
Foggers are not only used in entertainment. If anything, fogging machines were primarily created for dispersing pesticides and other chemicals over large expanses to eradicate infestations of microorganisms, and many times pests such as insects.
Even today foggers are primarily used for disinfection and treatment and it is only in the early twentieth century that foggers began to be used in entertainment particularly in theater and broadway. The movie-making industry employs an inordinate quantity of fogging effects usage as well as in live performances and concerts.
The pandemic saw the use of foggers skyrocket with the need for decontamination measures going up globally. That said, in recent years, fogging machines have steadily been developed for individual home use and a rising number of private citizens own a fog machine for use during birthdays, Halloween, graduation parties, homecoming dances, and proms as well as wedding parties.
You can easily buy one online and in a few business days at most, you should have a swanky new party toy for your pleasure.
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Can a fog machine work without a remote?
The answer is yes, but it may depend on the specific model. Industrial use fog machines are highly automated pieces of equipment essentially engineering marvels that can be set in time with rapturous music sequences. These are not realistic to have in the home primarily due to their size and simply because they are not made for home use anyway.
Older home use models may only be operated using a remote. If the remote cannot be found or is damaged, there is of course the option to operate the fog machine manually but this is hardly anyone’s idea of a fun-filled time having to sit by the machine the whole time to tinker with the controls.
There is the option to order a new remote control from the manufacturer for the specific make and model you have but this may not be the best solution either since it is likely the remote is no longer available.
Maybe it is time to get a better newer model that can be set to operate automatically. Even better, most home-use fog machines can be operated via wifi and your phone is all you need to create as fun-filled an atmosphere as you would like.
Types of Fog Machines
Different fog machines based on the particular manufacturer produce different fogging effects. In general, however, they do fall into two broad categories.
- Heated fogging machines
- Chilled foggers
Heated fogging machines
These use a liquid mixture, a heating mechanism, and a powerful fan to dissipate the liquid at high speed creating a dense fog. There are a number of liquids that can be used in a machine like this with the movie industry coming up with various proprietary compositions for different effects.
The most commonly used mixture is a concoction of glycol and water. This mixture is placed in a chamber inside the fogger and heat is applied to vaporize the contents of the chamber. The fans disperse the vapor at high speed into the atmosphere and based on the specific settings you can create vivid scenes and vibrant dis[lays of mist and haze.
Heating fog machines must be handled carefully since close proximity to the nozzle can cause severe steam burns given that the vapor at that location has yet to cool adequately enough.
Children and pets could be in danger owing to their curiosity so ensure you have placed the machine out of their reach or cordoned off for their protection.
The other disadvantage with heated foggers is the residue that may be left behind once the liquid descends onto cooler surfaces. It could present the added chore of cleaning up the condensed moisture if you have had a particularly eventful party.
Chilled fogging machines
These are far more common and easier to operate and maintain for home use than the heated fog machines. The most common type is a dry ice machine. Dry ice is solidified carbon dioxide which sublimes at room temperature.
In a dry ice machine, there is a chamber where warm water is placed to vaporize the dry ice faster and a fan disperses the thick fog of carbon dioxide into the air. This machine produces a low-lying fog that can create a beautiful dreamy dramatic scene.
For long performances or parties, however, you may need a considerable amount of dry ice since it dissipates rather quickly. You must also be mindful that in an enclosed space, a high concentration of carbon dioxide could form quickly. It would be impossible to realize this if intoxication is part of the day’s activities.
Carbon dioxide poisoning can be lethal. Under the best of circumstances, though, this is the safest kind of fogger for home use.
Top five fog machines for your home
- Best size for the homes: ADJ Fury 1000 II fog machine
- For super fast fog: TC-Home 900-Watt fog machine
- Budget-friendly and dependable: 1byone 400-Watt fog machine
- For the best vertical effects: ADJ VF Volcano Vertical fog machine
- Best fogger for large spaces: Tengchang XFMOTO DJ smoke machine
The above list is by no means exhaustive and many foggers are available today. A lost or spoilt remote is really the least of your worries with the kind of technology available to run and operate just about every kind of appliance you could buy.
With a reliable internet connection, you could sync your fog machine to the lighting and to music to create an impressive concert atmosphere right in your backyard.
Ensure you have read and understood the instructions provided for any fogging machine you decide to purchase to avoid the unnecessary risk or damage that may arise due to mistakes.