Thursday, March 4, 2010

Homemade Smoke Machines

Smoke machines can offer you a great feature for any type of party or event. Not everyone wants to buy one though due to the expense and the limited amount of use that they believe they would get out of it. Many people choose to rent them but there aren't always locations where a person lives where this is possible. It can also be a huge hassle if they are difficult to work with or they only have a few of them available.

If you only need a smoke machine for a particular event or a couple of hours then you may want to just make your own. It is very easy and extremely affordable too. All you will need is a large supply of dry ice and some tap water. You will need to have a supply of hot water in a container. Simply add the dry ice to it and you will have smoke that works just as good as what you will get from a machine.

The more fog that you wish to produce the more hot water you will need. The hotter the water is the faster the dry ice will melt. This process is going to affect how thick or thin your fog ends up being. One of the best containers for this process is those containers you can get for coolers that are disposable. They are often made of Styrofoam and they are disposable. They don't cost more than a few dollars and they will keep your hot water at a good temperature as well.

The downside to using homemade smoke machines is that someone has to tend to them. You can't just turn on a switch and get the results that you want like you can with a machine. You also need to make sure no one touches the dry ice without protective gloves on. Doing so can result in a severe case of frostbite forming in no time at all. Make sure the area where you have the homemade smoke machine is also well ventilated due to the amount of carbon dioxide that the dry ice will give off as it mixes with the hot water.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Fog Makers

Fog makers are wonderful pieces of equipment that can add some features to various events. They work very easily and they are quite affordable. If you don't think you will need one for regular use there are plenty of places where you can rent them as well. The illusions that a fog maker can give of are very real though and you will find this piece of equipment is very helpful when it comes to making your event a success.

The most common time of year when a fog machine is used is for Halloween. They are often a part of haunted houses in order to give the impression of something mystifying taking place. Fog makers also can be used outside for Halloween to give the impression that it is a scary graveyard that a person is walking through on their way to your front door.

Dances can be fun, and adding a fog maker to the evening at some point can be a very good way to get people more into what is going on. It can get them to be more willing to get out there on the dance floor too as there is a type of screen to prevent them from feeling like everyone is watching them.

You can easily use a fog machine for any type of party you wish to through as well. Some people use them for New Year's Eve and others use them just to hang out and to have a good time. There are no set rules for when a fog maker is appropriate and when it isn't. Have fun with it and do what you want to in order to encourage everyone there to have a great time.

There are many uses for a fog machine so it can be quite a practical investment. In addition to these various uses you can be creative and come up with some on your own as well. Make sure you only use a fog machine as directed though so that there are no safety issues. Store the fog maker some place safe too so that you will be able to get it out and use it again and again when you have a need for it.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Smoke and Fog Machine Rental

Fog machines come in many different sizes and they are a great accessory for many events. If you only need one for a single nigh though or a particular event you may want to rent one though instead of buying one. This way you don't invest in something that is going to have to be stored and that will simply be taking up space.

There are likely several party stores and retail stores in your area where you can rent a fog machine. You will likely have to ask them but some of them do have advertisements posted in order to let people know what is available. You should reserve your fog machine well in advance though so you don't end up without one. Many locations only carry a few for rental so you don't want to miss out.

In most instances you can rent a fog machine for less than $100 for a full day. You may have to give a deposit too though in case the fog machine is damaged or it isn't returned like it is supposed. Since they are worth plenty of money you should be willing to give your name, address, phone, number, and even a driver's license number. Most locations won't rent fog machines to anyone that is under 18 years of age.

If you are considering investing in a particular type of fog machine, you should look into renting one first. This way you can see for yourself how well it will perform. This is a great way to help ensure you are going to be extremely happy with your purchase. Fog machine rentals also are great for those that really have no place to store one after they have used it.

If you don't have a local fog machine rental you can go online to see about other options. You may be able to even have one mailed to you but it can be expensive. Still, if you feel a fog machine is exactly what you need to make the event spectacular then you should stop at nothing to make sure it does happen. Always make sure you read all of the details of a fog machine rental though so you don't experience any problems.

Monday, February 22, 2010

Smoke and Fog Machine Fluid (or Juice)

In order to make a smoke machine work you will need to add fluid to it. Most of the time you can buy it where you purchase or rent your smoke machine. You can also choose to make it yourself, but you only want to do so if you own the smoke machine. Otherwise you can have problems when you return the rental due to what was used in it. The fluid that is used in smoke machines is harmless as long as it is used only as directed.

The fluid (or juice) that is poured into the smoke machine will then be pumped into a heated chamber. You will need to allow the smoke machine time to heat up though before you can get smoke from it. These machines are designed so that the fluid won't flow until it has reached a certain temperature. If you have the right juice in a smoke machine and it still isn't working you will need to check that the heating element of it is working like it should be.

Some individuals tend to have a slight reaction to the smoke machine fluid. While most everyone is enjoying the atmosphere of it they aren't. Their eyes and throat may become extremely dry in just a matter of seconds because of it. The person will need to move away from the smoke machine and into an open area. The symptoms of such an allergy to the juices should subside in a matter of minutes though.

It is important to keep a close eye on the amount of fluid in the smoke machine though. If you continue to try to use it without any you can burn up the motor. Smoke machines aren't cheap either so it is to your advantage to keep a close eye on this. Generally though you won't be going through the fluid too rapidly for it to run dry before you can check on it. This type of fluid is way more affordable than having to get your smoke machine fixed or replacing it all together.

Make sure you carefully follow the directions as to where and when to add smoke machine fluid as well. You want to make sure you don't overfill it either or it can create problems as well. If you have never used a smoke machine before you should do a practice run before your event begins.

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Smoke & Fog Machines

Smoke & fog machines were very popular at school dances in the 1980's. They didn't seem to be very popular into the 90's but they have certainly reappeared as a way to offer special effects. They are affordable machines that you can buy if you plan to use them on a regular basis. Many nightclubs have them and turn them on at regular intervals throughout the night. They tend to get the audience excited and those that have been lining the walls may be more likely to get out there on the dance floor.

Smoke & fog machines can also be used for Halloween parties and any type of dance you want to host. They can be used for large engagements or small affairs. There are many sizes of them too so make sure you get what will work well for your event. You can always rent a larger size smoke or fog machine if what you own won't cover the space that you have readily available.

These types of added affects are very safe too as most people don't have any problems with them. They aren't as dangerous as pyrotechnics or other types of affects. This means the insurance for the business will be lower than with those other features. It also means they are safe machines that people can use on their own without any type of certification.

It is important that you only use a smoke or fog machine as it is indicated though. Don't add anything to it but approved fluids. Make sure there is the right amount of fluid in the machine too. If you have too much or too little you will end up with some problems with the operational functioning of the smoke & fog machine.

If you rent a smoke or fog machine you need to make sure you inspect it before you leave with it. This way you won't be charged for any problems it has upon the return of it. You want your experience with such a machine to be one that is fun and memorable so make sure you are responsible with it. You also want to be able to get the most use out of it if you do decide to buy one.