A test with a smoke machine running 50% glycerine in distilled water. Super ultra-thick fog that carried in the wind for a fair distance. Probably too high a concentration to run continually in this small machine.
Using a different ratio of glycol and water to the one your machine was designed to operate with can sometimes result in droplets of liquid being ejected from the smoke port.
Modern smoke fluid tends to be based on distilled water and one or more glycols like propylene glycol or triethylene glycol. Some still use glycerol (glycerine) for extra fog density and persistence, but it has a stronger smell than the other glycols and tends to create more residue.
I did these tests with standard glycerine bought in the UK from Boots the Chemist. The point of the videos is to show how the amount of glycol in the water varies the effect.
The use of distilled water in home made fog fluids is recommended as the solids in normal tap water can build up inside the heater assembly and block it over time.

9 thoughts on “Smoke machine with 50% glycerine in distilled water.”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Geldvega says:

    Can i mix glycol and glycerin for fog juice?
    60% distilled water
    30%glycerin
    10% glycol

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars bearded mobile mechanic let's fix it says:

    Are you using pure or vegetable

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Service Goa says:

    Need this in India, is it available?

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Tristan Morrow says:

    …with this talk of burning glycerin, how would one tell if their smoke machine were to catch fire? X-)

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Akul Jamwal says:

    Does it burn the eyes?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars mcedsonrunescape says:

    Do you think it would be possible to make an effective fog powered airsoft grenade that's rechargeable? there are still a bunch of loose ends to the concept because I am still in the feasibility check phase of the project. My main concern right now is about how much "fog juice" (something like 50% – 75% glycerine solution) would be required to make a good cloud in low wind environments. Would 1 fluid oz. be good enough for the job? I tried to estimate how much energy it would take to heat and vaporize 1 fl. oz. of the mix and came up with around 4 AA batteries worth. If the required fluid could be brought down to 1/2 or 1/4 fl oz, then the concept might be feasible and worth trying.

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars sea man says:

    if you ufe high persentage of glyserine you run into the risk of burning the glycerine and making it toxic

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars twocvbloke says:

    Reminds me of a dirty yellow Reliant Regal supervan from Peckham…

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars EddyGurge says:

    Looks a lot better than the 'juice' you buy with them.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.