Cleaning your Fog Machine

Fog Machines - To Clean or Not To Clean

By Chris Markgraf

As we travel around the country with our fog fluid business, one of the most commonly asked questions is, “Should I clean my fog machine and if so, how?” Regular maintenance of your fog machine is critical to its longevity and most fog machines require regular maintenance in order to achieve maximum life. The exception to this is if the manufacturer of your machine specifically states not to clean it. Personally, I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t want the machines cleaned, but you will have to decide to follow their recommendations or not.

It is in the best interest of the fog machine to set up a scheduled time for cleaning. It is no different than changing the oil in your car every 3000 miles. Regular check-ups will insure that the car lasts much longer. We recommend cleaning your machine after every 80-100 hours of use and prior to any long term storage.

Here are the steps for the proper cleaning of most fog machines:

The first thing you want to do is turn the Machine OFF. Once it has cooled, pour all residual fluid out of the fluid tank into a catch bottle. (No need to waste perfectly good fog fluid.) Now mix a solution of 25% white vinegar and 75% distilled water. Do not use tap water!  You will only need a couple cups of solution this solution per fog machine to be cleaned.

Pour half a cup of the mixed solution into the tank, swish around and pour out. Pour another half cup of the mixed solution into the tank and turn the machine ON. After the machine has heated up to the proper temperature, run four to five 20 sec. bursts through the machine until the solution is nearly used up. (Do this OUTSIDE unless you like the smell of boiled vinegar.) Then turn Machine OFF! Pour the remaining vinegar solution out of the tank and then fill the tank half way with distilled water. Swish the distilled water around and pour it out. Then Pour another half cup of the mixed solution into the tank and turn the machine ON. Once it has heated up, run four to five 20 sec. bursts. Rinse the tank with distilled water one more time and run one more half cup of the vinegar solution thought the machine one last time.

The final cleaning step is to pour one half cup of distilled water into the tank and turn machine ON.  After machine heats properly, run four to five 20 sec. bursts or until the tank is almost empty. Then turn the machine OFF and pour out any remaining distilled water from tank.

If you are planning to use the fog machine in the next several days, then fill the tank up with a good quality fog fluid. If you are placing the fog machine in storage for a month or more, pour only about one quarter cup of fog fluid into the machine. Either way, you should turn fog machine back ON, allow it to heat up and run four to five 20 sec. bursts though the machine. Then turn the machine OFF until it is needed.

Always store your fog machine with a small amount of fog fluid in the lines, in a climate controlled area and on a level surface. Never store your fog machine with vinegar in the lines!

This cleaning ritual, if repeated regularly, will greatly increase the life of your fog machine and will make sure that you are not left without fog in the middle of your event. If you take care of your fog machine, it will take care of you!

Chris Markgraf is the Vice President of Marketing for Froggy’s Fog and can be reached at 615-587-5400 or 615-469-4906, by email at sales@froggysfog.com. Check out their website at: www.froggysfog.com.