How to Create the Look of Fog in a Theater Production with Dry Ice
Dry ice is the perfect material for creating a dramatic fog in a theater production.
Dry ice has plenty of uses, from preservation, to cleaning, to special effects. While dry ice is primarily used for transporting food and sensitive medical materials, this multi-functional solid form of carbon dioxide has become a popular material for creative projects, science experiments, and home effects. It can even be perfect for creating a fog effect on a large scale, such as filling a room or stage for a theater production. Follow this useful guide for our tips on creating fog for your project and handling dry ice safely.
Creating Fog with Dry Ice
To create a fog with dry ice, you’ll want to safely add the right proportion of dry ice to the correct amount of hot tap water. By carefully adding your dry ice to 4-5 gallons of hot water, you will create a voluminous, bubbling fog that covers the floor for 5-10 minutes and lingers as long as the dry ice evaporates. The highest volume, however, will be right at the beginning, so you’ll want to time this effect right for your theater production.
Dry Ice Safety Measures
It is of the utmost importance to handle dry ice with care. Several safety measures should be taken when using dry ice in your production. First, you will want to use insulated gloves to handle the dry ice, as the severe temperatures can cause damage to your skin. When placing the dry ice into hot water (or into a fog machine that uses hot water and a fan), wear goggles to avoid water or pieces of dry ice from damaging your eyes. Be sure to transport and store your dry ice in an insulated cooler that is well ventilated. If your theater production is in a school or otherwise features children, make sure any children are safe around dry ice and be sure to keep the material secure.
Getting the Ratio Right
It’s important to get the right ratio of dry ice to hot water to get the perfect fog effect for your production. If you’re using a fog machine with a fan and internal heater, you will likely find the right ratio in the machine’s manual. Follow these instructions carefully to ensure the safe use of dry ice. If you’ll be using standard buckets and fans to create your fog effect, a good ratio is about 4-5 gallons of hot water to 5 pounds of dry ice. Use 8 gallons of hot water for 10 pounds of dry ice. Be sure to add more dry ice to the water after 15 minutes if you want to prolong the fog effect.
Dry Ice for All of Your Needs
Dry Ice Corp is the largest regional supplier of dry ice and related products in the Northeastern United States. Our dry ice is fresh and delivered right to your doorstep. We are happy to help you determine the best way to ship your goods, whether you have a huge amount of cookies or a single pie, and help you select the perfect amount of dry ice for the job. Give us a call at (201) 767-3200 or contact us online for a quote. To connect with us online, be sure to follow us onFacebook, Google+, Pinterest, and Twitter.
FOLLOW ALL SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS WHEN TRANSPORTING, USING OR STORING DRY ICE! DRY ICE IS HARMFUL IF EATEN OR SWALLOWED! IF INGESTED, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY! NEVER PUT DRY ICE INTO ANY FOOD, DRINKS OR LIQUIDS THAT MIGHT BE INGESTED BY HUMANS OR ANIMALS!
