What Are Haze Machines and How Are They Different From Fog Machines?
Haze machines, also known as hazers, are used for creating atmospheric haze, which help make light beams more visible, soften colors, and decrease contrast.
Not to be confused with fog machines, the effects produced by a haze machine are much less obtrusive than that of a fog machine. Fog machines shoot out big and billowy fog, producing a much more dense and pronounced effect. Haze machines, on the other hand, typically create a light and discreet atmospheric effect, evenly dispersing a slow and steady stream of fine particles about 1 micrometer in size. Fog from fog machines also dissipate more quickly than haze and require more time and fluid to fill a room, making haze machines a better solution for situations where you want a continued atmospheric environment.
Another major difference between fog and haze machines is the way they work. Fog machines use heat to vaporize the fluid while haze machines use a compression chamber that breaks up and atomizes the fluid into a fine mist with no heat required.
There are also two different kinds of hazers – oil and water based. Water based hazers use a haze fluid made of a propylene glycol/water mixture while oil based hazers use a haze fluid with a mineral oil base. Although both types of hazers are designed to produce the same effect, the results are slightly different. Haze from oil based hazers tend to last longer and hang in the air better but they are more likely to set off fire alarms with hydrocarbon detectors in them. Haze from water based hazers is more cloud-like and susceptible to air currents.
Note that while both types of mixtures are called haze fluid, only the mineral oil based mixture can be used in oil based hazers and only the propylene glycol/water mixture can be used in water based hazers. Propylene glycol/water haze fluid is also frequently referred to as “water based haze” to avoid confusion with the word “glycol” as it can be dangerous to confuse propylene glycol with ethylene glycol (used in automotive antifreeze) due to its toxicity.
Finally, a third major difference between haze and fog machines is their affordability. Productions with a smaller budget may opt to work with fog machines as they are much more cost effective and easily accessible (you can find them in consumer stores). Larger productions may find, however, that haze machines are worth the several thousand dollar investment for the effects they desire.
If you are looking for equipment rentals, special effects crew, or prop masters and prop assistants in Nevada to help create atmospheric fog, smoke or haze for your next production, check out our online Nevada Production Directory to find experienced Nevada production crew and support services or drop by our office and pick up a free printed directory!
If you offer production and film-related services in Nevada and are not yet listed in our Production Directory, you can learn more about how to sign up for the NPD here.