# Its all fun and games until someone loses their fog machine **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 9, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325 "2004-10-09T03:47:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/1 "2004-10-09T03:47:15Z")
I bought a fog machine today. My friend and I are starting work on a goofy 1950’s style sci-fi movie so I figured it would be a good thing to pick up. Well, that and I always wanted one. I set it up outside to give it a test run. I proceed to fill my neighbourhood with dense smoke/fog. I ran the thing for about 3 minutes straight and you couldn’t see a foot in front of your face. The entire street from my house to the downwind corner looked socked in. It was pretty cool UNTIL… The machine makes a sputter sound, a fizzle, a spurt, and then the patio becomes a small lake of fog juice. At the same time whatever broke inside also caused all this fog juice to dribble inside, outside and all around the heating element. Heat is what causes the reaction in fog juice to make fog so needless to say the entire machine erupted in full fog juice glory. It was quite impressive really. If my street wasn’t foggy before, it was going to be very soon. I should have known something was up when I smelled plastic and wires burning the minute I plugged it in. heh heh. That was kind of fun. It totaly made my day after a week of being sick as a dog. ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/2 "2004-10-09T04:03:45Z")
That reminds me of a idea I had, when daydreaming about building a house. Take one fog machine, find relatively hidden spot in house, and hook fog outlet into central air system. Rig fog machine with remote control. Enjoy being able to fog the house at any old time. ---
**Author:** ![START](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@START](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/START)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/3 "2004-10-09T04:18:12Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > I bought a fog machine today. My friend and I are starting work on a goofy 1950’s style sci-fi movie so I figured it would be a good thing to pick up. Well, that and I always wanted one. > > I set it up outside to give it a test run. I proceed to fill my neighbourhood with dense smoke/fog. I ran the thing for about 3 minutes straight and you couldn’t see a foot in front of your face. The entire street from my house to the downwind corner looked socked in. It was pretty cool UNTIL… > > The machine makes a sputter sound, a fizzle, a spurt, and then the patio becomes a small lake of fog juice. At the same time whatever broke inside also caused all this fog juice to dribble inside, outside and all around the heating element. Heat is what causes the reaction in fog juice to make fog so needless to say the entire machine erupted in full fog juice glory. It was quite impressive really. > > If my street wasn’t foggy before, it was going to be very soon. > > I should have known something was up when I smelled plastic and wires burning the minute I plugged it in. heh heh. > > That was kind of fun. It totaly made my day after a week of being sick as a dog. I had know idea that a smog machine was that powerful. I wonder what your neighbors thought when they saw the unexplainable fog. It’s like your controlling the weather. ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/4 "2004-10-09T04:42:11Z")
Our fog machine(Foggy) instructions said to notify the fire dept. when you use it in case neighbors see it and call them. Seriously. ---
**Author:** ![frenetic\_amnesic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@frenetic\_amnesic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/frenetic_amnesic)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/5 "2004-10-09T07:00:59Z")
One fog machine plus one room with all ventilation covered up EQUALS lots of fun. ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/6 "2004-10-09T07:24:54Z")
> [@START](#): > > I had know idea that a smog machine was that powerful. I wonder what your neighbors thought when they saw the unexplainable fog. It’s like your controlling the weather. Personally, that’s what made it so funny. I didn’t know this little thing would put out so much fog stuff. I expected 1/4 of what it put out. Perhaps this one cranked out so much because the insides were ablaze? I’ll know tomorrow when I return it for a new one. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/7 "2004-10-09T15:43:16Z")
Yeah, those things are cool. I don’t know if you’ve seen it, but on a show called _Monster House_, they built up a house to represent a medieval castle. They put manholes in the yard with fog machines in them with lights and everything. At night, you would turn the fog machines on and they would spew fog all over your yard. It was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![nocturnal\_tick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@nocturnal\_tick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nocturnal_tick)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/8 "2004-10-09T19:16:47Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > **Its all fun and games until someone loses their fog machine** …then it just sounds really, REALLY cool[sup]TM[/sup] Next time though take some pictures and spread the 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Seven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Seven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seven)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/9 "2004-10-09T21:58:04Z")
I returned the semi-explosive machine and bought a different model. This one is much better quality and seems to put out the same amount of fog stuff. But I’d like to share a few of the precautions with you as stated in the new machines instructions. (This isn’t a lecture, this is for your own safety) 1. To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons that exist due to use of the product, place the product and connected cord so that the product is not likely to be upset. - - In other words, do not taunt the fog machine! 1. To reduce the potential risk of electric shock, do not overfill the liquid. - - Ok, sounds reasonable. 1. To reduce the potential risk of electric shock, disconnect the power supply cord before cleaning the product or removal of the heating element portion of the product. - - Before removing heating element, please check precaution number 18 1. Indoor use only, and prevent the machine from the moisture and rains. - - Rains. Heh heh. 1. Do not obstruct the nozzle. - - Ok, sounds reasonable. 1. Never aim the nozzle directly at people or naked flames. - - Can I aim the nozzle at clothed flames and naked people? 1. Be sure leaving enough space for good ventilation, cooling and away from other object 50cm at least. - - _scratches head_ 8 Far away from any child. - - Always a good plan. 9 Forbid the machine closing up to any flame, flammable and explosive substance to avoid fire and explosive. - - _points finger_ I forbid you to close up to any flame! 1. Forbid spraying on towards anybody. - - _points finger_ I forbid you on towards anybody! 1. Forbid using it when liquid running up and pour high quality liquid immediately to avoid damaging the machine. - - _points finger_ I forbid when liquid running up! 1. Pour high quality liquid carefully to avoid the liquid overflow resulting in electrical shock. - - Ok. Sounds good to me. 1. Forbid pouring flammable liquids such as gas, perfume, etc. - - _points finger_… oh, you get the idea. 1. You shall switch off the machine if you do not need it. - - Before attempting to switch off machine, please refer to precaution number 19. 1. Only special person can exchange the power cord. - - In other words, if the power cord need replacement, find Rainman. 1. Any other question please contact with your vendor. - - You know the drill. 1. No pull the cloth on front board. - - Umm? Ahhh? _scratches head_ 1. No user serviceable parts inside, please refer to your vendor. - - Unless it is the heating element that needs service. Refer to precaution number 3 1. Only special man can take down this machine. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2004, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/10 "2004-10-09T22:07:51Z")
“The movie _The Fog_ didn’t have this much fog.” ----Tom Servo ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/11 "2004-10-10T07:16:38Z")
**Seven** : Very cool. Very cool indeed. I would, however, be wary of using it to cover a huge region with fog, as socking in a public street has obvious saftey hazards. Plus, the Engrish in the manual is good. Not the best I’ve seen, but good. ("special man… " heh :D) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/12 "2004-10-10T07:51:23Z")
What on earth is a fog machine- what is it supposed to do (apart from the obvious)? \ ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/13 "2004-10-10T17:52:33Z")
> [@Cicero](#): > > What on earth is a fog machine- what is it supposed to do (apart from the obvious)? > > \ Nothing, apart from the obvious. It makes fog. (Like you would see on a stage play or in a haunted house) ---
**Author:** ![SparrowHawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@SparrowHawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SparrowHawk)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-all-fun-and-games-until-someone-loses-their-fog-machine/268325/14 "2004-10-10T18:11:37Z")
> [@Seven](#): > > 1. Only special man can take down this machine. At this point, I start hearing James Bond music…