How to Clean and Store a Fog or Haze Machine to Help Prevent Clogging
Here is the simple, no-frills way to keep your fog or haze machine cleaner and help reduce clogging.
The truth is this: nearly every heated glycol-based fog or haze machine will clog at some point. It does not matter what brand you use. Heat, fluid residue, minerals, dirty tanks, and long storage periods can all contribute to buildup inside the heater core, pump, tubing, and nozzle.
The good news is that most clogging can be reduced with basic maintenance.
For best results, clean your machine after approximately 40 hours of use, or before storing it for an extended period. Some manufacturers may recommend longer intervals, but regular cleaning is cheap insurance compared to replacing a pump, heater block, or full machine.
Step 1: Turn the Machine Off and Let It Cool
Before doing anything, turn the machine off and allow it to cool completely.
Once the machine has cooled, remove any remaining fog or haze fluid from the tank. If the fluid is still clean, you can pour it into a clean container and save it for later use.
Next, rinse the fluid tank with distilled water. You do not need to dry the tank completely. Just shake out the extra water so the tank is mostly empty.
Do not use tap water. Tap water can contain minerals that may add to buildup inside the machine.
Step 2: Flush the Machine With Distilled Water
Pour approximately one cup of distilled water into the machine’s fluid tank.
Turn the machine back on and allow it to heat up fully. Once it reaches operating temperature, press the fog output button and let the machine run.
Continue running the machine until almost all of the distilled water has been used.
Do not run the machine completely dry. Once the tank is nearly empty, turn the machine off.
After that, rinse the tank one final time with distilled water and shake out the remaining water.
Step 3: Re-Prime the Machine With Fog or Haze Fluid
This is the most important step.
Do not store the machine with only water left inside the pump, tubing, or heater core.
Add a small amount of proper fog or haze fluid back into the tank. Turn the machine on and let it heat to operating temperature.
Once it is ready, press the fog output button and run several strong bursts of fog or haze. This pushes the regular fluid back through the system and helps prevent the internal parts from sitting with plain water inside them.
After you get several good bursts, turn the machine off.
Your machine is now ready for storage.
Final Notes
Always use clean, high-quality fog or haze fluid. Cheap or poorly made fluids can leave behind more residue and may increase the chance of clogging.
Never store a fog or haze machine dirty after heavy use. A few minutes of maintenance can make a major difference in performance, output, and machine life.
Clean it, flush it, re-prime it, and store it properly.