Frequently Asked Questions
Click on a question to read the answer:
What's the
difference between a smoke machine and a fog machine?
What is a smoke machine?
How does a smoke machine work?
What makes the smoke?
How much do smoke machines cost?
Where can I buy a smoke machine?
Do you accept credit cards?
Do you deliver worldwide?
What's
the difference between a smoke machine and a fog machine?
The terms 'smoke machine' and 'fog machine'
both refer to the same type of unit.
'Fog machine' is the term used more in the United States, and 'smoke
machine' is the term mainly used in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Technically, the correct terminology is 'fog machine',
as the dictionary definition of fog is 'liquid particles suspended
in the air' (smoke/fog machines always vapourise liquid), whereas
smoke is 'solid particles suspended in the air'. The effect generated
appears to be that of smoke. Tradition
along with product descriptions over the decades has created this
moniker foible.
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What is a smoke machine?
A smoke machine is an eletro-mechanical unit which produces
clouds of smoke on demand. Smoke machines are used in theatres, night
clubs, film and television studios, theme parks and other entertainment
applications to produce a smoke or fog effect which creates the illusion
of fog, steam, smoke from a fire, and many other effects or atmospheres.
They are also used to create 'safe smoke' in fire training scenarios,
for leak testing of buildings and containers, and air flow in wind
tunnels (to visualise the air flow). Their size can range from that
of a chocolate bar to a small car.
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How does a smoke machine work?
A smoke machine, in its simplest terms, is a heating
element which gets very hot, through which special fluid is pumped
and is vapourised, thereby creating smoke vapour which exits the machine
through the nozzle. Electronic circuitry ensures that the heating
block in the smoke machine is kept between certain temperatures -
too hot and the machine could produce a toxic fog - too cold and the
resulting fog will be wet and leave residue.
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What makes the smoke?
The most common type of smoke machine are those which
use a water-based fluid, which is made up mainly of pharmaceutical
grade glycol and water. There are also other harmless chemicals in
the fluid. Other types of smoke machine include dry ice machines (which
create a low lying heavy fog that uses solid carbon dioxide AKA dry
ice), liquid nitrogen (which also creates a low lying fog), oil based
smoke machines (similar in principle to water based machines, but
uses an oil rather than a water based fluid - the smoke can withstand
much higher temperatures) and hazers (both water and oil based haze
generators, mainly used to accentuate lighting than for conventional
'smoke' effects).
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How much do smoke machines cost?
Smoke machines range in price, but "Talia expensa
sic empta" - you get what you pay for. We sell machines by the
most reputable and consistent companies. Our entry level unit is ideal
for small applications and home use, but has been used to great effect
in visitor attractions and museums too. Smoke machines that are capable
of operating continuously at high output will cost more but always
have the power available for larger and more varied applications and
will never require a re-heat 'dead band'.
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Where can I buy a smoke machine?
Pea Soup Ltd supply smoke machines in the UK
at low prices - click here to see product
list.
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Do you
accept credit cards?
Yes. We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express,
Visa Delta, Visa Electron, JCB and Eurocard.

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Do you
deliver worldwide?
Yes we can. Please contact us if you're outside the
UK and would like to order from us.
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Do you have a recipe for pea soup?
Yes! It's here - Pea Soup recipe
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