Fog and Smoke

[barrytech]

Hi All

Now that summer is over the thoughts are now turning to the annual Christmas show. This year the director wants to have a lot of smoke and fog, the smoke is OK to sort but the fog is being a bit more problematic. I would like to use something like the Jem Glaciator but I don't have a 32A supply on stage, Chilled smoke units require approx 10kgs per night of ice or need a large amount of room side of stage and dry ice could be the answer but then I have to order dry ice (any idea of the current price for 5 -10 kgs per performance). Children, boiling water and dry ice do not tend to mix too well. Just when I was trying to sort this out she (the director) informs me could all this be DMX controlled from the control box FOH. Help me!!

[the kid]

I have seen a "ok" unit that was a mini freezer with the door replaced with board. The top was an inlet for smoke and the bottom was the chilled fog. It was ok for a 6x8 stage. not stunning but ok.

[benwillcox]

Hi All

Now that summer is over the thoughts are now turning to the annual Christmas show. This year the director wants to have a lot of smoke and fog, the smoke is OK to sort but the fog is being a bit more problematic. I would like to use something like the Jem Glaciator but I don't have a 32A supply on stage,

 

I think there's a couple of versions of the Glaciator, but I hired one from Light The Way which came with a 13a adapter and ran from a 13a socket with no problem.

 

Ben

[Ynot]

Dry ice CO2 isn't quite as expensive as it used to be and in my opinion always the best option if you can a) source it and b) manage it properly.

There shouldn't be a problem using it around kids etc as long as you plan it properly and take sensible precautions.

 

I've been using Clean Surface to supply my recent needs - http://www.cleansurface.co.uk

 

They can deliver if needed and can also hire you a suitable storage container.

 

Usual caveats apply though - if you've not used CO2 before, get someone in who can either give you the requisite training (not rocket science) and safety pep talks or even do it for you.

 

 

 

 

[IRW]

Hi All

Now that summer is over the thoughts are now turning to the annual Christmas show. This year the director wants to have a lot of smoke and fog, the smoke is OK to sort but the fog is being a bit more problematic. I would like to use something like the Jem Glaciator but I don't have a 32A supply on stage,

 

I think there's a couple of versions of the Glaciator, but I hired one from Light The Way which came with a 13a adapter and ran from a 13a socket with no problem.

 

Ben

 

I *think* what you need is the original Glaciator...IIRC, the Glaciator II requires a 32A supply!

[cedd]

The Le Maitre Freezefog unit is very good and only requires a 16A supply (actually, it may even work on 13A, but it has powercon in). It does however require liquid dip CO2, but this can be sourced from most bottled gas suppliers. We reckon a bottle gives us around 10 minutes of really good low smoke. It's used in conjunction with a Le Maitre smoke machine.

 

Where in the world are you? I know Brassneck (my society) have hired ours to other local groups occasionally.

 

 

 

[barrytech]

Good Morning All

Thanks for all your thoughts so far. We are based in Barry, south wales and we are a very small am dram set up. I have used CO2 before and IMO it gives the best effect but given the request that it be DMX form FOH I might have to go for the Le Maitre freeze fog. Please don't stop giving me more ideas, I will try to remeber to let you all know what I decide on

Many thanks

 

Mike

[Jivemaster]

How much process noise can your job stand? Dry ice usually produces silent fog from a "Pea Souper" or the like, Smoke machine into a freezer usually makes more noise, and SOMETIMES a CO2 (liquid) coolant can make a LOT of noise. Ask the questions to get the right machine for your use.

[csg]

As well as the freezefog pro, we have a couple of Anatri DNG200 units in stock and they are excellent. Basically, their version of the glaciator, but with the clever idea of having 2 mains inputs, one for the smoke machine heater ( 2500W ), one for the freezer / compressor ( 1000W or so) - meaning that these units can be run off domestic 13A points safely.

 

They also run considerably quieter than all the glaciators I have seen, so good for theatre use.

 

 

We are a long way away from you, and im fairly sure both machines are also now fully booked from november to christmas, but may be a model that suits your needs if you can find one locally.

[ianknight]

Chilled smoke units require approx 10kgs per night of ice or need a large amount of room side of stage

 

I've never seen a chilled smoke machine using that much ice - I've used (and we have in hire) the Antari ICE100 and at most it takes a bag of ice cubes perhaps two from the local supermarket. Some venues we've sold them to use the ice maker behind the bar. They're not massive units - about 2 foot long by 1 foot high and wide with wheels and DMX controllable too. When I've used them for shows, they've been filled at 7pm and still have useable amounts of ice at curtain down at 10pm - some of customers remove the left over cubes and refreeze them <_<

 

They're not especially expensive to buy either so over a panto run could pay for themselves compared to hire - the only caveat is that some of the "copy" units don't have a decent sized heater block so can't produce the same volumes of smoke as the Antari unit.

[alistermorton]

To be fair, the ICE-101 blurb specifically mentions 10kg of ice. The manual, however, says 8kg.

[slipstream]

Any time I use ours, 2 bags of supermarket ice is plenty and half will be left if it's only used for the one number - doubt the tank would hold enough water for 8kg of melted ice - and talk about a noisy pump - that said - you cant beat proper dry ice visually - it spreads and clings better than anything else. Did come across a remake of the peasouper with 2 x 13a heater elements vis 2 plugs and quite a neat footprint - one of the disco brands I think, but did the job.