Hazer

Hazers – Haze for the Stage

Haze – the English word for mist or light fog – is known to many through Jimi Hendrix’s legendary song “Purple Haze.” Purple haze may sound a bit limited in variety to lighting technicians, but it perfectly describes the effect that hazers are designed to create. While a fog machine generates thick clouds of smoke, a hazer produces a subtle, uniform haze that allows lighting effects and beam projections from spotlights to be clearly seen. Even a beam from a followspot becomes visible over long distances, and light blends or transitions between different sources are visually enhanced.

Where are hazers used?

Hazers are primarily used on stages or in event spaces that aim to highlight a light show – such as live performances like concerts, open-air events, theatre stages, and also nightclubs. A hazer is typically run continuously as needed to maintain a consistent haze density on stage. A hazer consists of two main components: a haze nozzle and a fan. The haze output and the fan are usually controllable independently to achieve the desired haze effect. Since a hazer vaporises much smaller amounts of haze fluid than fog machines, these units are very economical in terms of fluid consumption.

Hazers use a different haze fluid than fog machines

Another key difference from conventional fog machines is the type of fluid used. Fog machines typically run on water-based fluid, while hazers use oil-based fluid, which vaporises at lower temperatures. This allows hazers to remain continuously ready for use and to haze without interruption.

Fazer – Fog with a Fan

Fazers operate on the same principle as traditional fog machines, but the fog output is distributed via a built-in fan. They sit somewhere between fog machines and hazers in terms of function: fazers can produce more fog than hazers but do not reach the classic "volcano-like" output of a standard fog machine. One drawback of a fazer is that, like any conventional fog machine, it would typically need reheating. However, since a fazer is intended to run continuously like a hazer, the fog output is reduced to ensure the heating element remains at operating temperature. While a fazer can produce dense fog, it definitely does not deliver the same output as a true fog machine.