Informational Blog about Sound, Staging and Lighting 

When your fog machines begin sputtering and the output is just not as strong as it used to be, it may need its plumbing flushed out. You can do this yourself, by using the following instructions:

Do this by removing the fog fluid reservoir from the machine, and emptying it out. You can save the fluid if it isn't dirty. Mix a solution of white vinegar and distilled water, with a ratio of 1 part vinegar to 8 parts water, which would be approximately 2 tablespoons of vinegar in 1 cup of distilled water. This should be enough cleaner for 1 fog machine.

Why distilled water? Distilled water has its minerals removed. Minerals are bad for fog machines as they tend to coat the inside of the tube, reducing it's diameter and therefore reducing the fog machine's output.

Rinse the fog fluid reservoir out with distilled water. Pour the cleaning solution into the fluid tank. Take the fogger outside. When the fogger is ready, run it (long bursts, but not continuously) until it stops. Repeat this procedure until you run out of solution. The output should start off as thick white smoke and slowly become a very thin haze.

Unplug the fogger and rinse the fluid tank out with distilled water. Refill the tank with distilled water. About a half cup if you're going to use the fogger for fogging soon or about a half tank if you plan on storing the unit.

Take the fogger outside again (If you're not already there). Plug the fogger in and allow it to heat up. When the fogger is ready, run it until it stops. Repeat until you no longer smell vinegar. Please be aware that you MUST get all the vinegar out of the fogger.

Cleaning should be done after running through about 8 uses of the fog machine, or whenever it becomes sluggish.

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