This problem however is easily remedied with a fog machine chiller. These helpful pieces of equipment allow your existing fog machine to produce that thick, eerie looking fog that lingers close to the floor. If you’re not familiar with fog machine chillers, we’ve put together some information to help you find out more about them, and determine whether or not they will help you as you plan your next event or show.

What is a Fog Machine Chiller?

As we mentioned earlier, chillers are basically add on components for your fog machine. The coolest thing (literally and figuratively) about these chillers is how they work. Instead of requiring you to get a C02 tank or lots of dry ice (the old norm for creating pea soup-thick low lying fog) these chillers work with standard ice. You simply hook the fog machine chiller up to your fog machine, fill up the tank with ice, and stand back as a dense, eerie fog begins to creep out along the floor.

Important Fog Machine Chiller Features

You’ll find a wide range of fog machine chillers – all with different features and specifications. Here are some of the key features that you’ll want to consider when purchasing a fog machine chiller:

• Size/Weight – There are different models that range in size and weight. The smaller models are typically about 7 or 8 pounds in weight and typically a bit over 1 foot wide. Larger models may weigh well over 20 pounds and can be as wide as 2 feet, and just as tall.
• Fog Output – Look for a fog machine chiller that can produce enough fog for your event. If you’re running a small, one-room scene, the smaller models should suffice. For big concerts, or multi-room shows a larger unit will be needed.
• Price – This is the most important consideration for most of us. Getting the cool effect of low lying fog without dry ice doesn’t come cheap. You can expect to pay between $100 and $500 for a fog machine chiller. The lower priced models are the lower output, smaller models. The higher priced chillers are for larger shows and are naturally larger in size.

If you do plan on purchasing one, it’s a good idea to stick with one of the more reputable manufacturers in order to get the most bang for your buck. Vortex make a good quality low cost range of Chillers. Check out our Vortex Fog Machine Chillers review here.

If you are looking for an all in one machine which combined the Fog Machine and the Chiller, check out our review of the American DJ Mister Kool Low Lying Fog Machine.

Once you get your fog machine chiller, and begin using it, we’re sure you’ll be amazed by the dramatic effect this type of fog makes on just about any type of event, concert or show. There’s a big difference between standard fog from fog machines and the thick, ever-present fog that you’ll get when you start using your fog machine chiller.

Is this the fog machines you’ve been looking for?

Regular fog machines are great for creating misty fog that fills up a room or outdoor setting. However, fog machines fall a bit short when the time comes to deliver thick, dense, low lying fog. You know the type of fog we’re talking about – the stuff that you see in graveyards when you watch scary movies, or that thick fog that creeps along the edge of the stage at the big rock concerts.

To get that kind of fog, you need to add a bit of muscle to your fog machine. How do you do that? With fog machine chiller units. These helpful add-ons take fog machines to the next level. And among the most popular of these chillers are the models made by a company called Vortex. Read on to read our reviews of two of the most popular Vortex chillers.

Vortex Home Series Cold Fusion Fog Chiller Review

The first model we are going to look at is called the Vortex Chillers Home Series Cold Fusion Fog Chiller.

This model is designed for small shows and events. People who already have fog machines, but aren’t able to get that thick, creepy fog they need for their home haunts or outdoor graveyard scenes tend to prefer this Fog Machine Chiller.

Using regular, household ice and fog liquid, this chiller hooks up to your fog machine and creates the thick, low lying fog that you’ve been looking for.

Here are the key features of this fog machine:

Vortex Chiller Home Series Features

For smaller shows and events, the Vortex Chillers Home Series Cold Fusion Fog Machine Chiller does the trick of creating dramatic, creepy low lying fog.

Vortex Chillers Commercial Series Fog Chiller

The big brother to the unit we just reviewed is called the Vortex Chillers Commercial Series Monster Fogger Fog Chiller.

As you’d expect this fog chiller is designed for larger venues and is designed to serve professional entertainers.

In the past, larger scale productions had to rely on CO2 tanks or lots of dry ice to get the thick fog effect. These methods, while effective, can be very expensive; not to mention dangerous. Using the Vortex Chillers Commercial Series Monster Fogger Fog Chiller, on the other hand, is safe and very cost efficient. Standard ice, along with fog liquid in your existing fog machine, work together to produce the highest quality, low lying fog.

There are similar, commercial quality fog machines that can cost thousands of dollars. So the relatively low price tag of the Vortex Chillers Commercial Series Monster Fogger Fog Chiller – at under five hundred dollars – along with the lower cost of operation, helps people to pull off professional quality events, while staying under budget.

Let’s take a look at the features of this fog chiller…

Vortex Monster Chiller Commercial Series Features

We didn’t find as many reviews for the Vortex Chillers Commercial Series Monster Fog Machine Chiller as we did for the home model. However, the reviews that we read were extremely positive. On one of the biggest retail websites this particular model has earned a perfect 5.0 star customer satisfaction score.

What About Vortex Chillers Volumizer Crystals?

We couldn’t close out this Vortex Fog Chiller review without talking about another product from the same company – the Vortex Chillers Volumizer Crystals.

These helpful little crystals are designed to take low lying fog to the next level. By simply adding these crystals in with your fog liquid, you can really achieve the most dramatic, thick fog effect.

Just how thick do the Vortex Chillers Volumizer Crystals make your low lying fog? Well, according to the manufacturer, you can expect to see fog that is twice as thick when you add these crystals into the mix. And since there are not dangerous chemicals in these crystals you can feel secure and safe in using them at all of your events.

One of the coolest things about the Vortex Chillers Volumizer Crystals is that you don’t have to deal with that oily residue produced by some fog enhancers. These crystals actually create a dry fog that doesn’t mess up the venue or location that you are using for your show. One bag of the crystals will last about as long as a gallon of fluid, so keeping a few bags on hand should have you covered for quite some time.

We hope you’ve learned a bit about the powerful fog chillers and fog chiller enhancers from this Vortex Fog Chiller review. If you’re looking to make your mark with creepy, low lying fog that lasts and lasts, you can’t go wrong with either of these Vortex chillers.

So You Want Low Lying Fog?

If you like producing an atmosphere that is creepy or dramatic, then nothing does the trick like low lying fog. However, purchasing a professional grade fog machine can set you back several hundred to several thousand dollar. However, there is a solution to this problem – the American DJ Mister Kool Graveyard Low Lying Fog Machine. This fogger is designed for smaller scale events, shows and displays. It creates plenty of thick, ground-clinging fog that sets the ultimate creepy atmosphere.

Low Lying Fog Machine Features & Details

Stock up on Ice

The American DJ Mister Kool Graveyard Low Lying Fogger uses regular ice to produce pea soup thick fog for your show. And while it’s cool to be able to avoid dry ice, you will want to keep plenty of ice on hand if you want to keep the fog flowing out of this fogger. In cooler rooms, you’ll find that the fog sticks nice and low for quite a while, and you may not have to fill up on ice as often. However for average room temperature settings, you’ll want to keep plenty of bags of ice on hand to keep this machine going.

Don’t forget to purchase fog liquid if you plan on purchasing this fog machine. Yes, the American DJ Mister Kool Graveyard Low Lying Fogger does use regular ice to create cool, low lying fog. But it does so only in conjunction with professional quality fog liquid. Some customers purchased this model without getting any fog liquid and were a bit upset to find that it needs more than ice to make thick puffs of fog.

While this machine certainly isn’t on par with what they use on professional movie sets, big name rock shows or at the big dance clubs, it does a great job for smaller venues and amateur haunted house settings. Of course, this model isn’t nearly as pricey as some of the professional quality machines, either, so you aren’t dishing out the big bucks to create lots of low lying fog for your shows or gigs.

Would We Buy One?

The best way to find out the inside scoop about this fog machine is in checking out what real life customers think about it. While putting this American DJ Mister Kool Graveyard Low Lying Fog Machine review together, we found several customer reviews. All told, this fog machine has earned a positive 3.0 out of 5.0 star customer satisfaction score from the online customer reviewers.

A few people had minor, isolated complaints about this smaller scale fog machine. But for the most part, customers seem pleased with this unit and reported that it more than delivered great results at a very affordable price. If you have a relatively small venue and you must have fog that sticks to the floor, then this just may be the fog machine to buy.

Few things can ruin your gig like a massive panic when the smoke alarms sound. And if the building in question has indoor sprinklers tied to their fire alarm system, things can get downright catastrophic. But it doesn’t have to be this way, here are some tips to avoid these types of smoke alarm snafus.

Know Your Client’s Policy

You are going to run into some venue managers who have a zero tolerance policy for fog machines and hazers. If this is the case, you could spend some time trying to convince them to let you use yours, but we recommend not doing that. Yes, that fog may make your show more exciting, but you could lose out on the gig. Even if you take the time to explain how you can avoid setting the fire alarms off, this is a battle that isn’t worth fighting.

For those venues that are a bit more lenient, but the management still has concerns about you setting off fire alarms, here are some tips to help you avoid those problems and set the venue management’s minds at ease…

• Use a hazer instead of a fog machine. Hazers generally emit less dense vapors than fog machines. As such, they are less likely to set off particulate sensitive fire alarms. No, hazers aren’t perfect, and can sometimes set off fire alarms, but you stand a better chance of avoiding a disaster by using hazers instead of true fog machines.
• Check air currents at the venue. Many times, larger performance areas are set up with fire alarm systems that will allow for the use of fog machines and hazers. However, the adjacent parts of the building – dressing rooms, offices, etc… – may have more sensitive alarm equipment. By bringing a hazer prior to the gig date, you can get an idea of the currents in the building and take measures to avoid fog or haze drifting into areas with more sensitive fire alarms.
• Timing is everything. If you follow our advice and use a hazer, you can use time increments of a few minutes on/a few minutes off. This should allow haze to disperse enough to avoid setting off the fire alarms.

If these tips don’t work for you, or if you are dead set on using a fogger instead of a hazer, there is one alternative that you may want to consider. Most cities have fire marshals that can be hired out for events. These fire professionals can stand watch over proceedings and stand near the fire alarm panels. If your fog machine sets the fire alarm, the marshal can simply disengage the alarm. This allows event guests to stay safe and prevents panic from happening due to a false alarm. You will have to pay a few bucks to hire a fire marshal, but lots of entertainment professionals opt to do this and figure the extra cost into their contract billing.

We hope these tips on how to avoid setting off fire alarms with your fog machine or hazer prove to be helpful to you. Good luck on all of your upcoming gigs and shows.

A fog machine used incorrectly can pose a real danger for fire, electrocution, and other potential accidents, so make sure you are aware of all the possible dangers before you even think about plugging it in. When that moment does finally arrive, you will want to be sure that circuit breaker in your home or venue can readily handle the wattage drawn by the fog machine. Overloading your circuit breaker can lead to a potential fire hazard, but there are plenty more issues to be concerned with when it comes to your fog machine.

If you have to use extension cords to plug in your machine, make sure that the cord is places in an area that will not become a tripping hazard. You should also make sure that the cords aren’t allowed to run throw water or snow, and that the machine is in a place where someone can see it at all times.

Without getting into the internal workings of a fog machine, you should be aware that it can get very hot very quickly. That means that you should allow it ample time to cool off after it has been shut down. More importantly, it shouldn’t be placed next to flammable fluids or materials.

You should always check your instruction manual of your fog machine for the correct sort of fluid to be used in your machine. It is a good idea to always stick to the brand of fog fluid recommended by the manufacturer, even if you find another brand at a bargain basement price. Using the wrong type of fluid can potentially damage the fog machine, or worse yet, produce toxic fumes that are a danger to anyone who comes in contact with them. Since the fluid also acts as a coolant and lubricant to the machine, it’s a good idea to check the levels every half hour or so to ensure that the machine doesn’t burn out.

So to recap, my Fog Machine Safety Tips are as follows:

Following the few simple fog machine safety steps outlined above will ensure that your fog machine is a fun part of the night rather than something you have to be constantly concerned about. Making sure that all of your electrical pieces are safe will allow you more time to enjoy the Halloween festivities and keep an eye out for the boogeyman.

Halloween Fog Machine Usage Ideas

Whether you choose to simply place a fog machine in your front yard to make it more frightening, or use one to create a ghoulish “Garage of Gore”, or even a gripping graveyard scene in your yard, the addition of fog can create an extra level of chilling terror that is sure to strike fear into the most hardy Halloween reveler. Heck, you can even just use a fog machine in your basement where you host your Halloween party.

If you would like to add some fog to your Halloween festivities, but aren’t sure where to use it, then here are a few ideas to get you started.

Front Yard Graveyard Display

If you are one of those that like to turn your front yard into a graveyard scene, then you owe it to yourself to add a layer of authenticity that can only by had with the addition of fog. Try to set the fog machine up so that the mist crawls along the ground rather than blanketing all of your cool, scary pieces.

The Front Porch

Combining a fog chiller with your machine on your roof of front porch steps will create the illusion that the mist is creeping down to meet your trick or treaters. Exercise caution if you steps on your porch.

House Of Horrors

Try to find a sweet hiding spot on your roof for the fog machine and chiller and then sit back and watch as the cooled down fog reaches down from the eaves in misty fingers that look as though they are trying to reach out and grab your visitors. To make things easy for yourself, consider using a timer to activate the fog machine.

Your Halloween Yard Haunt

If you’ve taken the time to decorate your yard with all manner of creepy pieces, the best way to really showcase them is to have your fog machine surround them with its ghostly mist.

Scaring Trick or Treaters

If you have a fog machine that works with a remote control, you can really give trick or treaters an extra scare.

Hide the machine in a place where it can’t be seen and then click the remote to send out a blast of fog when the visitors get close.

In Your Garage Of Gore

Some Halloween displays may be a little too much for smaller kids, but that doesn’t mean you can’t set up a scary garage scene for those who are a little braver. A layer of fog can be especially effective in such an enclosed space, making your garage seem even more frightening than it first appears.

A Halloween Party

A fog machine can add an authentic touch to your home Halloween party, but to get the most out of the effect, make sure that the machine is set so that it creates a foggy layer close to the floor rather than all through the air.

Check out our Halloween Fog Machine reviews elsewhere on this website.

Chauvet Hurricane 1800 Review

The fog dispensing front panel is adjustable over 180 degrees, and the unit has a sturdy, multi-position mounting bracket that combines with the adjustable head to give you just the right angle, no matter your set of circumstances. A favorite of theater and movie professionals, a little fog goes a long way, and you don’t have to battle a lot of sound. This is a professional quality fogger in all regards, at a discount price.

You are going to get dense fog layered and sticking, meaning that wind outdoors is not a problem. The fog produced when you use the proprietary Chauvet Fog Juice, which is currently on sale at almost 40% off on Amazon, hugs the ground, and layers and stacks well. The included wired remote timer makes hands-off operation a cinch. Set the timer for every 10 minutes, fill the tank, and party with your guests.

At 28 pounds it is a little heavy for walk-around use, but if you are covering several acres, and this machine can certainly do that, walk around pumping out a nice layer, and then use the multiple mounting positions to place it up high somewhere in the center of your field and you will never run out of fog.

Anyone who has purchased a cheap fogger from a local party store or electronics outlet knows how unbelievably loud and poor-performing they are. Folks, you get what you pay for, and that axiom applies here as well.

The Chauvet fogger line is quiet as a church mouse, and just flat out produces. It depends on what you want from your party. If you want to throw a Halloween party, Dance or theatrical production that receives rave reviews and has people coming back year after year, this is the machine for you. And if you truly want to put on a production that looks like you spent thousands of dollars on, couple the Chauvet Hurricane H1800 FLEX Fogger with the American DJ Galaxian 3D Green And Red Multi Beam Laser With 3D Type Gyration.

For less than the price of hiring an inferior party management crew you can run a professional party, and that is why the combination of these two units is a favorite of serious professionals whose reputation is at stake every time they “turn on.” When you factor in the price, your fog purchasing decision is over. Currently on sale at 40% off if you buy through Amazon with free shipping included, there is no reason why you can’t be giving the most professional, most memorable events and parties when you buy the Chauvet Hurricane 1800 Fog Machine.

If you are looking for a hands-off fog machine, the Chauvet Hurricane 1300 is perfect. It has a large fog fluid reservoir and extra long corded remote, so you can enjoy the party with everyone else, instead of constantly having to fill the tank.

Chauvet Hurricane 1300 Review

The fog also really makes dance floors “pop” when combined with Disco lights, strobe lights and other visual effects. The 3.3 liter tank holds plenty of fog juice, and a gallon can cover a large area. One Amazon reviewer said he covered a 3 acre farm in a matter of minutes! Chauvet Fog Juice 1 Gallon is currently on sale at Amazon at almost 41% off, and makes the Chauvet Hurricane 1300 Fog Machine even a more attractive purchase (Froggy’s Fog also works well with this unit).

Some fog machines will “spit” fluid that is not made specifically for it. If you have a your fog machine mounted up high, this can be an obviously annoying predicament for part-goers. The Chauvet Fog Juice works error-free in its proprietary machine.

The 1300 comes with a multi-position hanging bracket that can be manipulated to allow almost any setup, and has a conveniently mounted, sturdy center handle that offers you the ability to walk and cover with a layer of fog before placing the machine in a permanent position. A 100 x 100 foot round will be one foot deep in fog in 30 seconds with the powerful 20,000 cubic foot per minute output, but don’t worry about the tank running out. There is a low fluid indicator that will keep the fog pumping, and an auto shutdown when empty.

Don’t think that one tank won’t last. Fog juice goes a long way. In a medium sized auditorium, a tank can last 8 hours. And the handy remote timer allows you to monitor fog levels and develop a nice steady rhythm of layering. After all, too much fog is worse than no fog at all, and a layer only a few inches deep is worthless. The Chauvet Hurricane 1300 Fog Machine puts out heavy, dense, hanging fog when used with the Chauvet Fog Juice, and medium to strong winds pass right over it.

A few customers complained that the remote timer did not work, but they likely did not wait long enough. Several customers stated that the timer has a “warm up” time, and that the lowest setting only fires fog every 90 to 120 seconds. So before you think you have a bad unit on your hands, play with the remote before party time and you will be very pleased with this dense-fog-producing product from Chauvet.

Can you get cheaper fog machines? You sure can, head to your local party store and buy something cheaper and you will wreck your party. If you are a discriminating party monster that demands quality and durability, and wants people raving about your parties and coming back year after year, get the Chauvet Hurricane 1300 Fog Machine. Amazon offers free shipping, and the 1300 is currently 41% off, so act now!

American DJ Fog Storm 1200HD Review

That’s serious business. In one minute, that’s a mere 60 seconds, this mad machine cover a 100 x 70 foot gymnasium, convention room or parking lot with one foot of thick, dense, “won’t go anywhere when the wind blows” fog. That’s big league stuff. This is not the fogger you buy if you are filling your garage for a Halloween get-together for 10 friends. This is a professional fogger, though when you see the price you’ll think American Dj has lost their mind.

Okay, I guess by now you understand this is for those big jobs. You throw a party or put on a show with this guy and you can expect people offering to hire you for their party. People will remember your production long after the air has cleared and the undead have all gone home. The long 25 foot remote control guarantees operation from anywhere, and you can even upgrade to a wireless remote and timer so you can set it and forget it. How does it work? How hard is it?

See if you can follow along on these complex steps. Plug it in any standard, household 110 wall socket. Pour in American DJ F-UN/Q Fog Juice. Wait 5 minutes for the unit to heat up. Press power. That is it. There is no priming pumps, and running test flows or changing nozzles. The wide spray nozzle distributes your fog evenly and the new, groundbreaking heater never allows fog to stick and coagulate or “spit” like cheaper units.

This fogger lays down nice and smooth, and if you have a large area, use the adjustable, multi position mounting bracket as a handle and walk your floor with a base layer. Then just mount the American DJ Fog Storm 1200HD Fogger, sit back and enjoy the fun.

With the optional timer, you can set the unit to run at whatever production level you desire. This allows you the freedom of enjoying the party or show with your guests, and means you don’t spend the night hunkered down babying an inferior unit.

The whole package is only 12 x 17 x 12 inches in size, so hiding it discreetly out of site behind some party decorations is easy. And at 16 pounds it won’t break your back either. But one really nice feature you simply will not get on most other units is the low juice auto shut-off benefit. If you are enjoying the party a little too much and get distracted, the Storm 1200HD has got your back, and shuts down.

At way under $200, you are getting an outstanding, professional piece of equipment that can run for hours and make you the party maestro everyone will remember. So pick up the American DJ Fog Storm 1200HD Fogger today and fog your way to party hall of fame status soon.

American DJ Fog Storm 700 Review

The super long 25 foot corded remote allows you many different types of setups, and means not having to get up on a ladder and turn the fogger on and off whenever you want to change the amount or flow of fog, like some remote-less foggers. There is even an optional wireless remote and timer controller that raise your fog-producing orchestration to a whole new level.

Folks, this is a professional fog machine, not for children. American DJ is known for quality DJ and party products, and this is another. This 700 watt monster has a multipositional mounting bracket on the top of the unit that also acts as a carry handle. At only 8 lbs, walking the floor to lay down an initial layer of fog before mounting it permanently is a snap. And American Dj has designed a truly revolutionary new heating element that does not allow fog juice to clog an clot, even when you get your hands on some inferior juice. Many inferior foggers will “spit” and throw out coagulated balls of hardened fog juice. This is not very enjoyable for your guests. No worries here, this unit cranks for hours smooth and consistently with no spitting.

The wide range nozzle means that your fog flows cleanly and naturally, and is powered by a long-life pump that will make you the star of the party or show every time. If you want people talking about your party for years, and always coming back for more, pick up the American Dj Fog Storm 700 Watt Fog Machine with corded remote, or add the wireless feature for more versatility.

You might think that such a powerful fog maker would be large and bulky, but the 10 x 6 x 6 inch size makes this unit easy to hide with decorations so the fog seems to appear from nowhere. Just plug it in any standard 110 wall outlet, wait 5 minutes for it to warm up, fill the removable 1 liter tank with American DJ F-UN / Q Fog Juice, and let her rip. You’ll have just the effect you want, in just the amount you want every time when you operate this quiet fogger with the remote control and watch the fog flow.

Parties and shows, family get-togethers or hired-out professional setups, they all get better with effects, and the fog laid down by the American Dj Fog Storm 700 Watt Fog Machine with remote would make any 70s movie cemetery proud with thick, dense fog that hangs around even outdoors in a light wind. Currently on sale at Amazon with free shipping for around $70, pick one up today and make your mummy proud.