Smoke Machines Archives

Smoke Machines

The smoke machine is the number one staple on any lighting rig. It's the easiest way to bring your lighting effects to life, letting beams of light dance through fog. Fine particles hang in the air, giving light something to reflect and glow off. Without that fog, a light show can fall flat. Adding a smoke machine to your DJ rig is one of the simplest ways to lift the atmosphere on a dancefloor or in a venue.

How do smoke machines work?

Smoke machines run on a specialised fluid rather than producing real smoke. They're technically fog machines, creating a harmless fog effect without heat sources or open flames. The machine heats the fluid and releases it either on a timer or with a manual push button. The fluid is made from food-grade glycol, a substance used in human consumption. While not intended to be eaten, inhaling small amounts during normal use is considered safe. DJ City only stocks smoke machines with health and safety approvals, which can be downloaded from our fluids page.

How are smoke machines categorised?

Smoke machines range from around $40 up to premium professional units, and they're generally categorised by cubic feet of output. The higher the output, the more you can expect to pay. Build quality also plays a part in price. The heat exchanger, for example, is the heating block inside the unit, and a higher-grade block costs more but lasts longer, giving you more fog output over the life of the machine. Price is a reasonable guide to quality. As an example, the Vaperiza 500 uses a lower grade of stainless steel than the Chauvet Hurricane 700. The Hurricane costs more, but you get a longer service life in return. The DJ City team can help you find the right fog machine for your setup. Browse our full range online or visit one of our stores to speak with our team directly. Pair your machine with high-quality fog fluid to get the best effect, and try a scented fluid to add an extra layer to your event.

What events are smoke machines ideal for?

Smoke machines suit a wide range of events where atmosphere matters. They're a natural fit for concerts, theatrical performances and stage productions, where they add drama and visual depth. DJs and nightclubs use them to complement lighting rigs and energise the dancefloor. They're also popular at Halloween parties, haunted houses and themed events for an eerie effect, and can add a mystical, cinematic quality to weddings, photo shoots and film sets.

Are smoke machines suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?

Yes, smoke machines work well both indoors and outdoors, with a few things to keep in mind. Indoors, make sure the space is properly ventilated. A build-up of fog can trigger fire alarms and reduce visibility. Outdoors, wind and open space will disperse the fog faster, so you may need a higher-output machine or more frequent bursts to maintain the effect.

What kind of smoke fluid should I use?

The right fluid depends on your machine and the effect you're after. There are three main types:

Standard fluid: a moderate amount of smoke with average hang time, suited to most general uses.
Dense fluid: thicker, longer-lasting smoke, ideal for dramatic effects and larger venues.
Quick-dissipating fluid: a fast burst of smoke that clears quickly, well suited to concerts and theatrical productions.

Always check your smoke machine's manual for the recommended fluid type. DJ City stocks a range of high-quality smoke fluids to suit different machines and effects.

How long does a tank of smoke fluid last?

This depends on the size of your machine, its settings, and how often you're using it. A standard smoke machine tank typically lasts from one hour to several hours of continuous use, and longer again with intermittent use. Higher-output machines get through fluid faster than lower-output models.

How do smoke machines work?

Smoke machines run on a specialised fluid rather than producing real smoke. They’re technically fog machines, creating a harmless fog effect without heat sources or open flames. The machine heats the fluid and releases it either on a timer or with a manual push button.The fluid is made from food-grade glycol, a substance used in human consumption. While not intended to be eaten, inhaling small amounts during normal use is considered safe. DJ City only stocks smoke machines with health and safety approvals, which can be downloaded from our fluids page.
How are smoke machines categorised?

Smoke machines range from around $40 up to premium professional units, and they’re generally categorised by cubic feet of output. The higher the output, the more you can expect to pay.Build quality also plays a part in price. The heat exchanger, for example, is the heating block inside the unit, and a higher-grade block costs more but lasts longer, giving you more fog output over the life of the machine.Price is a reasonable guide to quality. As an example, the Vaperiza 500 uses a lower grade of stainless steel than the Chauvet Hurricane 700. The Hurricane costs more, but you get a longer service life in return.The DJ City team can help you find the right fog machine for your setup. Browse our full range online or visit one of our stores to speak with our team directly.Pair your machine with high-quality fog fluid to get the best effect, and try a scented fluid to add an extra layer to your event.
What events are smoke machines ideal for?

Smoke machines suit a wide range of events where atmosphere matters. They’re a natural fit for concerts, theatrical performances and stage productions, where they add drama and visual depth. DJs and nightclubs use them to complement lighting rigs and energise the dance floor. They’re also popular at Halloween parties, haunted houses and themed events for an eerie effect, and can add a mystical, cinematic quality to weddings, photo shoots and film sets.
Are smoke machines suitable for both indoor and outdoor use?

Yes, smoke machines work well both indoors and outdoors, with a few things to keep in mind. Indoors, make sure the space is properly ventilated. A build-up of fog can trigger fire alarms and reduce visibility. Outdoors, wind and open space will disperse the fog faster, so you may need a higher-output machine or more frequent bursts to maintain the effect.
What kind of smoke fluid should I use?
The right fluid depends on your machine and the effect you’re after. There are three main types:
- Standard fluid: a moderate amount of smoke with average hang time, suited to most general uses.
- Dense fluid: thicker, longer-lasting smoke, ideal for dramatic effects and larger venues.
- Quick-dissipating fluid: a fast burst of smoke that clears quickly, well suited to concerts and theatrical productions.
Always check your smoke machine’s manual for the recommended fluid type. DJ City stocks a range of high-quality smoke fluids to suit different machines and effects.
How long does a tank of smoke fluid last?

This depends on the size of your machine, its settings, and how often you’re using it. A standard smoke machine tank typically lasts from one hour to several hours of continuous use, and longer again with intermittent use. Higher-output machines get through fluid faster than lower-output models.