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• There are two types of fog machines according to their functionality. The "heated" fog machine uses inert gases, such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen, and sometimes an electric pump which propels the fog juice into a heat exchanger, where it is vaporized into fog. "Chilled" fog machines on the other hand create a dense fog by using hot water on liquid nitrogen, liquid air or dry ice.
  
  

Purposes

• For the purpose of creating a specific mood, feeling or theme in a theatrical moment, fog machines can be found in settings of plays and movies. They can also be found used in Halloween displays of haunted houses or forests, industrial applications -- such as looking at the flow of air or testing for leaks in air conditioning installations -- as well as for emergency service workers and militaries in their training drills. The reflective and refractive trait of the smoke created by fog machines enables them to be used in nightclubs and other entertainment venues to enhance other special effects.
  
  

Special Effects

• Fog machines are commonly used to create special effects in conjunction with other gadgets, like LED stage lighting, glow sticks, laser lighting and strobe lights. These special effects add to the ambiance of the night club or venue they are used in to enhance a performance or make it look more unique and trendy. Strobe lights, for instance, can be used to illuminate the fog that is emitted from the fog machine and create a disorienting effect. Different colored glow sticks illuminate the smoke in different colors while the LED stage lighting can make a subject seem to disappear off stage if used effectively with fog machines.
  
  

Safety Tips

• Dry ice increases the level of carbon dioxide gas in the surrounding air and this can cause respiratory risk in low ground and enclosed spaces. Large amounts of dry ice can also create fire hazards. A person is therefore recommended to use fog machines in well ventilated areas with a fire extinguisher always present. Electrical cables and plugs must be safely plugged in and away from foot paths and dance floors to avoid tripping. A person using fog machines and other special effect gadgets should switch off the power supply once their function is over.