The Buying Guide To The Best Fog Machine Fluid

Stepping into the world of atmospheric enchantment, my exploration of the best fog machine fluids has been an immersive journey. Having experienced the transformative power of these essential components firsthand, I’m excited to guide you through the fog-laden realms where quality fluid makes all the difference.

Join me as we unravel the secrets behind the most effective formulas, ensuring that every wisp of fog contributes to a mesmerizing and seamless spectacle. Whether you’re a seasoned stage professional or a home enthusiast, the key to an ethereal atmosphere lies in the fluidity of your fog machine’s performance.

Best Fog Machine Fluid Reviews

In This Article

In this article, we will provide you with a buyer’s guide for the best fog machine fluid for each situation. After that, we will provide a guide to determine the type of features that are most important to you.

The best fog machine fluid is one that fits your needs. With this article, we will help you to understand the differences between the effects that can be achieved with each fog machine fluid. With this information, you can purchase the fluid that is best for you.

What To Look For When Buying Fog Machine Fluid

People often make the mistake of spending hours researching the best fog machines and then try to put just any old fog fluid inside of it. However, if you shop instead for the best fog fluid, you’ll find that it can be used in most standard machines and can even help to improve their quality.

Shopping for the best fog fluid means knowing just what features matter to you and then choosing the best fit. These are some things to look for when purchasing fog fluid to ensure it’s going to suit your needs and upcoming event.

Number One Tip: Know Your Preferences

Our number one tip for picking a fog machine juice is to know what you are looking for. It sounds simple enough, but you would be surprised how quickly you can become overwhelmed by choice if you don’t know what you are actually looking for. Before searching for a fog juice, try to think hard about what you are going to be using it for, and the qualities that you actually need.

Will you be using it for an event, or to elevate a performance? Do you need it to be see-through or to create an opaque fog? Do you need to use it with LED lights? These are all relevant questions, and your choice of fog juice would differ based on the answers.

So as our top advice, we recommend you sit down and think about what you are looking for. You will be surprised at how much easier a decision is when you have a decision-making criteria. Once you know what you want, use our buying guide below to choose from one of our top fog juices above.

Size/Volume

The size of the fog fluid refers to how much of the actual liquid is in the container. The most common size is one gallon, but depending on your needs you can also usually purchase these in bulk. Some will specify the volume area that the smoke has been designed to fill, so it’s a good idea to measure up your space so you can get the right one.

Longevity

A quick look at the product details or name of the fog fluid will indicate the longevity of it. This is usually referred to as “medium/long-lasting” and it sometimes impacts the density of the fog as well. If you won’t be near the fog machine constantly refilling or monitoring, something long lasting is best.

Of course, you need to consider size and longevity together to get overall longevity. If you buy a fog juice that comes in a large quantity and is also long-lasting, then you should be good to go for a while. Of course, the more you buy, the more economical the pricing will be as well. So if you know what type of fog you want, then we recommend buying a large quantity at once.

Type of Fog

You might assume that all fogs are created equal, but that’s not the case. Common types of fog include rising, low lying, thick, and thin, each specifying what type of effect you can get from them. Think about where you’ll be using it and the effect you want (eg. dance floor or a graveyard setting for Halloween) and this will point you in the right direction.

We have a more detailed outline of the types of fog below, as they are such a key decision-making factor.

Residue/Contamination

When purchasing fog fluid, you need to be careful not to go with an inferior formula that’s going to stain or leave reside as it works. This can damage people’s clothing as well as the furniture, walls, and space that your event is held in. You’ll be able to see if it’s residue-free by reading the description and reviews, so it’s worth a quick check.

If it is residue-free, the brand will be sure to advertise this feature. As a recommendation, you should always buy a fog juice that is residue free. It is well worth the additional investment for the money you would save in cleaning costs.

Odor

Most of us have experienced the terrible odor of cheap fog fluids, and you might have thought initially this was due to the machine itself. Fog fluid can be made these days without any odor at all or with a slight, sweet scent so that it’s not irritating or overwhelming.

Any reputable fog juice would advertise themselves as odour-free. It is a key feature if you intend on your guests enjoying themselves. A strong odor can ruin any benefits that fog would bring to a gathering, so it is well-worth the extra investment.

Is It Flammable?

Be careful when purchasing fog fluid not to purchase a flammable product and find one with pharmaceutical grade ingredients. Especially when used in small enclosed spaces, it can be dangerous to use a flammable fog fluid that can be a potential fire hazard.

Compatibility

Another feature that you need to be aware of is compatibility. Fog juice is not a one size fits all type of product. Certain juices will be more or less compatible with certain fog machines, and some will not be compatible at all. You need to check your machine to see which type of fog juice it is intended for. Not only will this minimize any damage done to your machine, it will ensure that you are producing the highest quality fog possible.

Other features

If you’re after more than just the fog effect, there are some machines with multiple settings. However, you’ll need to ensure that the fog fluid you’ve purchased has been made to suit these machines and will be compatible.

If you want more information, check out our mini-guide on the types of fog effects you can achieve below.

Types of Fog

A major consideration for purchasing a fog juice is surely based on the type of fog you want to achieve. Fortunately, fog is very versatile and can produce a variety of different effects. However, this also means that choosing the right one can be quite difficult.

Below, we will explain the basic types of fog effects that you can create with a fog juice. You will generally find that each fog juice is clearly labelled as to the type of fog it creates. So naturally, an understanding of these fogs is critical in making your decision. 

Low-Lying Fog

Low-lying fog is a fog that is meant to remain low to the ground. It is meant to envelope the floor, resulting in a mysterious, interesting vibe.

The fog itself is quite dense which allows it to stay quite low to the ground. The heaviness of the fog keeps it low, and it is slow-dissipating which makes it stay there (think of an effect similar to dry ice). A great ground fog will be able to completely cover a floor for long periods of time. Do keep in mind that the effect is achieved with the fog juice, but you also need a machine that is able to chill the fog. Low lying fog needs to be chilled so that it becomes heavier than the surrounding air, which is what allows it to sink down. A proper machine is a must.

Therefore, in searching for a great low-lying fog juice, you should find one that is thick and slow-dissipating. Typically, it will be clearly marked on the package if the fog is intended for these purposes.

Usage

Typical usage for low-lying fog is to cover dancefloors at parties, or to cover the ground for some sort of display or theatrical presentation.

Covering the dance floor is a great way to heighten any wedding, club, bar, or party environment. It accentuates where the dancing is supposed to take place, and people have a great time cutting through the fog. It adds an extra element of excitement and mystery.

Low-lying fog is also very useful for adding those mysterious vibes to a presentation or display. Covering the ground in fog will inject that extra spooky element you might have been looking for. 

Medium Density Fog

Medium density fog is a great middle ground. It is thick enough that you can notice the fog, but not so thick that you can’t see what is around you. If you are looking to achieve noticeable fog without distracting from the situation, this fog is for you.

This fog is typically quite good for filling spaces, and usually takes a relatively long time to dissipate. This also allows it to last a decently long time.

Usage

Medium density fog is useful for filling spaces without becoming overpowering. You might want to use it to add a mysterious vibe to a haunted house, or to flow through a dance floor.

It is a relatively versatile fog, and it is really up to your creativity to decide its potential.

High Density Fog

High density fog is the thickest fog available. It is meant to be relatively opaque, and you are really supposed to notice when the fog is there.

This type of fog is non-transparent, and will take a while to dissipate because it is so thick and heavy.

Usage

This fog is useful when you want to add a strong, noticeable fog effect. Often, this is helpful in theatrics or in special effects. If you want the audiences’ eyes to be really drawn to the fog, then a high density is the best choice.

Of course, this will make it quite difficult to see anything within the fog, so it is really only the best choice when it doesn’t obstruct anything important to the performance.

Haze

Haze is generally considered to be the lightest fog effect possible. Haze is meant to be almost completely transparent, allowing the focus to remain on other aspects of the situation.

When searching for a haze juice, you might need to have a special haze machine as well. It is a specialized effect, and you should be sure that any haze fluid you buy is clearly marked as such.

Usage

Haze is typically used to accentuate light shows. Because it is so transparent, it allows the light to cut through it, and the audience can clearly make out the full light effect. It is thick enough so that the lights stand out clearly, but transparent enough to keep the focus on anything else in the performance.

Because a hazer is so helpful with light shows, it is often used in concerts, stage shows, festivals, and more. It is almost essential to putting on a great performance that involves lights. Your audience may not even notice the haze, but they will notice how it elevates everything else on stage.

Fog Bursts

Finally, fog bursts are a specific type of fog meant to be used very quickly. A fog burst is actually an effect in which fog is shot out very fast, and dissipates fast as well. It is meant to heighten an event by adding a quick jolt of excitement.

The fog juice used for fog bursts creates a very thick fog. This is because it needs to be immediately noticeable. However, it also needs to disappear quickly, as the effect is not meant to last.

If you are in the market for this, you need to buy a fog juice that is clearly marked for creating a burst.

Usage

You will often see fog bursts in environments that are high intensity and exciting. This includes sporting events, concerts, festivals, and more. They often accompany a particularly exciting part of the action, and serve to get the audience pumped up.

These require special equipment, and are highly specific effects. So you need to be sure this is what you are looking for before buying a fog juice for a burst.

How Does Fog Fluid Work?

Many consumers find that their purchase decision is easier if they understand how a product works. In order to understand how a fog fluid works to create fog, we have to understand how a fog machine itself works.

Please note that there are many types of fog machines, and not all work in the same way. Most fog machines work by heating the fog, in a process similar to what we will explain next.

Basically, a fog machine will contain a reservoir in which you can fill the fog fluid (be sure the fluid is compatible with the machine). The fog fluid is pumped from the reservoir into a heat exchanger, which heats the fog, turning it into a vapor. The vapor is blown out of the machine with a fan, and exposed to the colder outside air. Upon exposure to the air, it turns into the “fog” substance you are familiar with.

Of course, this is a simplified explanation of the process, and different machines will work in slightly different ways. In fact, some machines (known as ground foggers) will also chill the fog, causing it to sink to the ground, creating a low-lying fog.

Getting The Best Use Out Of Your Fog Fluid

With the right fog fluid and a quality fog machine, you have almost everything you need to get the party started. However, you’ll need to be careful when using the fog juice to ensure a long life for your fog machine as well as the best effects from your liquid.

When your fog machine is not in use, keep it stored away in a cool, dry place and ensure that you’ve emptied all leftover fog fluid from it. Give it a test run when getting it out of storage and run through a few minutes with your fog fluid to be sure that it works. If your machine is not working properly, it may also be time for a good cleaning using distilled water.

As each fog juice is made from its own blend of ingredients, you might need to play around with settings or space it’s being used in before your event. This will ensure you know exactly how to work it and that there’ll be no mistakes when the time comes to put your fog machine to work.

Conclusion

A fog machine is one of the most versatile tools you can have for a party or event. With a single fog machine, you can create an atmosphere that is dreamy, spooky, romantic, creepy, or scary, plus everything in between. But without the right fog juice, all of your dreams and planning may fall flat.

As you can see, there are so many different types of fog juice to use, and each of them creates their own unique effect. Whatever type of event you’re having, whether it’s setting up for neighborhood trick or treating or throwing a huge wedding, a fog machine is the best party accessory you can have.

The best fog machine fluid should be able to tick a number of boxes for you in order to make it a premium product. Look for one that offers the density and length of use that you need, as well as a formula that’s nontoxic and going to be safe for your guests.

Using the right fog juice isn’t just about getting the right effect, either. Your fog juice should be of a premium quality so that it doesn’t do any damage to your machine and keeps it running smoothly for years to come. If you put the effort into finding the best fog juice, you’ll be rewarded in more ways than one.

Resources: Wikipedia, HowStuffWorks.