Snow, Bubble and Wind Machines for Events, Panto and Christmas

Which snow machine, bubble or bubble-haze machine and wind fan suits which job, what each manufacturer actually publishes for tank size, fluid use, control and power, which fluid each one is meant to run on, and what the manuals say about slippery floors.

~9 min read · Updated October 2026 · By the Stage Supply team

In this guide: The short answer · Snow machines · Bubble and bubble-haze · Wind machines and fans · Comparison table · Fluids · Floors, detectors and venues · Panto and Christmas planning · Popular picks · FAQ

The short answer

For a one-off Christmas party, a grotto or a small panto, a compact snow machine with DMX and a wired remote, such as the Chauvet DJ SM250, covers most needs. For a bigger stage, a long run or a scene where the machine must be hidden, the Elumen8 Storm 600 is a different class of machine: a 20 litre tank in a wheeled flight case with a 10m hose, so the unit can sit out of sight while the outlet goes where the snow is needed. The ADJ Entour SNOW sits between the two.

For bubbles, the Chauvet DJ Hurricane Bubble Haze family makes plain bubbles, haze, or bubbles filled with haze. The Hurricane Bubble Haze LT runs from a knob or its included wireless remote, the Hurricane Bubble Haze adds DMX, and the Hurricane Bubble Haze X2 Q6 uses twin blowers and adds LEDs.

For wind, a DMX fan such as the ADJ Entour Cyclone or the Elumen8 Windstorm gives you a controllable breeze for costumes, flags and curtains, and moves haze and smoke where you want it.

Whatever you choose, buy the fluid the maker specifies, and plan for the floor: Chauvet warns in its manuals that both snow and bubbles can make surfaces slippery.

Snow machines

A snow machine turns a water-based snow fluid into light flakes and blows them out over the area. ADJ states that the Entour SNOW needs no warm-up time, unlike a smoke or haze machine. The differences between models come down to tank size, fluid use, how far the blower throws, how you control it and how big the box is.

Chauvet DJ SM250

Chauvet describes the SM250 as a lightweight, high-output snow machine. The published figures: 5 litre tank, 580 ml/min fluid consumption, 1,650 W (7.3 A at 230 V), 9.2 kg, 449 x 344 x 355mm. Control is 1 DMX channel on 3-pin XLR, plus the included FC-T timer remote; Chauvet lists its FC-W wireless remote as an option. A Hi/Low blower switch sets near or far coverage.

From Chauvet’s own numbers, a full 5 litre tank lasts a little under nine minutes at full output, so for a long scene you will be using the timer or DMX to pulse it rather than running it flat out. Chauvet says the machine must be level, not tilted, and is not intended for permanent installation.

ADJ Entour SNOW

ADJ rates the Entour SNOW at 1,250 W with a 5.6 litre external tank, 500 ml/min fluid use and “over 11 minutes of non-stop operation”. It has 1, 3 or 5 channel DMX modes on 3-pin and 5-pin XLR, an LCD with built-in timer, continuous and manual control, a 50% or 100% fan setting and a jack for the optional Entour VT-1 remote. It weighs 13.5 kg and ADJ makes it in 120 V and 240 V versions.

ADJ’s published throw figures for the Entour SNOW differ between its product page and its user manual, so we have not quoted one here. If coverage distance is critical, ask us and we will check with ADJ.

Elumen8 Storm 600

Prolight describes the Storm 600 as a high-output snow machine designed for medium to large events. It comes in its own flight case on rubber wheels with a 20 litre fluid tank and a flexible 10m hose, so the main unit can be hidden behind scenery or under a stage. Control is by the on-board LCD, 2-channel DMX or the included wireless remote. Prolight, the UK supplier for Elumen8, lists 850 W at 220 to 240 V, 37 kg and 622 x 593 x 552mm. The Storm 600 user manual quotes fluid use of about 2.5 litres a minute at full output, so a full 20 litre tank lasts about eight minutes flat out.

The hose is the point of this machine for theatre: the heavy box stays on the floor in the wings and only the outlet needs to go above the acting area. Anything placed or fixed overhead, hose outlet included, should be done by a competent rigger to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Bubble and bubble-haze machines

Chauvet’s Hurricane Bubble Haze range combines a bubble machine and a hazer in one box. You can run bubbles only, haze only, or both, which gives bubbles filled with haze. Each has two tanks, one for bubble fluid and one for haze fluid, and a heat-up time because of the haze side. All three use a gravity-fed bubble reservoir that recirculates unused bubble fluid.

• Hurricane Bubble Haze LT: the compact one. 0.8 litre tanks for each fluid, 22 ml/min bubble and 6 ml/min haze consumption, 554 W, 7.7 kg, 2 minute heat-up. It is operated from a five-position control knob or the included FC-W wireless remote. Chauvet does not list DMX on this model.
• Hurricane Bubble Haze: 0.8 litre tanks, 22 ml/min bubble and 16 ml/min haze consumption, 558 W (2.3 A at 230 V), 9.2 kg, 3 minute heat-up, with 4 DMX channels on 3-pin and 5-pin XLR and a variable-speed loft fan that pushes bubbles up into the room.
• Hurricane Bubble Haze X2 Q6: twin blowers plus six 4 W RGB+UV LEDs to light the output. Bigger tanks (3.5 litre bubble, 1.3 litre haze), 18.5 ml/min bubble and 60 ml/min haze consumption, 650 W (2.3 A at 230 V), 15.8 kg, 12 DMX channels, with a WRC wireless remote included.

If you need the bubbles on cue from a lighting desk, the LT is the wrong choice: pick the Hurricane Bubble Haze or the X2 Q6. If you need a self-contained machine for a party or a grotto with someone pressing a remote, the LT is the simplest.

Wind machines and fans

A stage fan does two jobs: it makes visible wind on stage (costumes, hair, flags, curtains, and a blizzard look when used with snow), and it moves smoke and haze around a room. Both fans in this guide are DMX controlled, so the wind can be faded on cue.

ADJ Entour Cyclone

ADJ describes the Entour Cyclone as a professional stage fan for spreading fog and for theatrical wind effects. It has 1 or 2 channel DMX modes on 3-pin XLR, an LCD with 4-button menu, speed adjustable from 0 to 100%, and a jack for the optional Entour VT-1 remote so it can run without a desk. ADJ lists 120 W minimum to 220 W maximum power, metal construction, locking power in and out, and a dual scissor yoke for floor standing or mounting. It weighs about 8.5 kg (ADJ’s product page and manual differ slightly) and measures 350 x 422 x 131mm.

Elumen8 Windstorm

Prolight describes the Windstorm as a high-output, DMX-controlled wind machine with adjustable speed for stage, theatre, club and event use. It draws 185 W at 240 V, weighs 7.8 kg and measures 505 x 472 x 425mm.

A fan running under dialogue can be heard. Check the noise at the speed you will actually use before the dress rehearsal, not during it.

Comparison table

All figures are the manufacturers’ (Prolight’s for Elumen8). A dash means the manufacturer does not publish that figure. None of these machines carries a published IP rating for outdoor use.

The power figures matter when several machines share a circuit with lighting and sound. Add them up before the show, and remember that design, installation and testing of the electrical supply is a job for a competent person.

Fluids: use what the maker names

Snow and bubble machines use their own fluids, never smoke or haze fluid. Chauvet warns that unapproved fluid can damage its machines, and ADJ says anything other than water-based snow juice will cause severe damage to the Entour SNOW. Our smoke and haze fluid guide covers fluid types in general; for these machines:

• Chauvet SM250: Chauvet lists SJU and SF5 (EU) and says to use only Chauvet water-based snow fluid.
• ADJ Entour SNOW: ADJ’s manual says to fill with the recommended grade of ADJ brand snow fluid and never to run plain water or anything other than water-based snow juice. ADJ’s spec sheet names its Snow Gal fluid (a US gallon pack). ADJ’s European product page for the Entour SNOW names ADJ Snow Juice (code 1223200004) as its fluid, sold as a single 5 litre bottle or a pack of four.
• Elumen8 Storm 600: Elumen8’s user manual lists it as compatible with water-based snow fluid (Flui03), which is Equinox Snow/Foam Fluid. The manual says: “Only use high quality, water based snow fluid recommended by the manufacturer. Other snow fluids may cause clogging and void the guarantee.” It also says distilled water must be run through the unit after each use to prevent residue build-up and blockages.
• Chauvet Hurricane Bubble Haze, LT and X2 Q6: two fluids. Haze side: HDF, HFG, HF5 (EU) or HFDJ5 (EU), including Chauvet HF5 haze fluid, one of the EU-version fluids Chauvet lists. Bubble side: Chauvet BJG or BF5 (EU). Chauvet says to “Only use Chauvet approved fluids” and, in its Hurricane Bubble Haze and LT manuals, not to leave its atmospheric fluid in the tank for more than 10 days without use.

Chauvet tells you to drain the tank before transporting or storing the SM250 and the Hurricane Bubble Haze machines. ADJ recommends running the Entour SNOW every three to four months during long storage, which is worth knowing for a machine that comes out once a year.

Floors, smoke detectors and venues

• Smoke detectors. Chauvet warns that all fog and haze machines may set off smoke detectors, and that includes the haze side of a bubble-haze machine. Talk to the venue about its fire alarm arrangements before the event. Our smoke, haze and low fog guide covers this in more detail.
• Indoors only. ADJ states that the Entour SNOW and Entour Cyclone are for indoor use only, Elumen8’s Storm 600 and Windstorm manuals say to use the equipment indoors only, and Chauvet’s Hurricane Bubble Haze manuals say not to use the machines outdoors or expose them to rain or moisture. For an outdoor light switch-on, ask us about suitable options.
• Ventilation and clearance. Chauvet specifies at least 50cm of clearance around the SM250 and the Hurricane Bubble Haze machines; ADJ asks for about 15cm between the Entour SNOW and a wall.
• Mounting. Several of these machines have hanging brackets. Overhead mounting of any effects machine is a job for a competent rigger, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Venue rules. As with confetti, many venues have rules about effects that leave residue. Ask before you book. Our confetti, streamers and CO2 guide covers how venues tend to handle this.

Planning for panto and Christmas

Snow machines and bubble machines are seasonal kit, and the demand arrives at the same time for everybody. A few practical points for the season:

• Order fluid with the machine. Chauvet sells the SM250’s snow fluid separately, and a snow machine at full output gets through a tank in minutes. Work out how long the effect runs per show from the consumption figure, multiply by the number of shows, and add spare.
• Decide on control early. If the lighting desk will cue the snow, you need DMX (SM250, Entour SNOW, Storm 600, Hurricane Bubble Haze, X2 Q6). If a stage manager or Santa’s helper will press a button, a wired or wireless remote is simpler.
• Light it. Snow and bubbles show up best when they are lit, so plan lighting for the area where they fall. Our Christmas and seasonal lighting guide covers the rest of the festive rig.
• Combine with care. A fan moving snow sideways looks like a blizzard; a low fog layer under falling snow looks like a winter scene. Our low fog machines compared guide covers the ground-level effect.
• Test in the venue. Drafts, air conditioning and heating outlets carry snow and bubbles in ways you will not predict. Run the effect at the technical rehearsal with the house heating on.

Popular picks from the shop

Frequently asked questions

What is the best snow machine for a panto?

It depends on the stage and the control. For a small hall where the lighting desk cues the snow, a compact DMX machine such as the Chauvet SM250 or ADJ Entour SNOW suits. For a larger stage or where the machine has to be hidden, the Elumen8 Storm 600’s 20 litre tank and 10m hose let the unit sit in the wings while the outlet goes where the snow falls.

Is snow machine fluid slippery?

The manufacturers say it can be. Chauvet’s SM250 quick reference guide warns: “Snow generated may pose a slipping hazard on surfaces.” Keep the effect away from steps and exits and clean the floor between scenes.

Can I use any snow fluid in my snow machine?

Use the fluid the maker specifies. Chauvet says to use only Chauvet water-based snow fluid in the SM250, ADJ says to use ADJ brand snow fluid in the Entour SNOW and never plain water, and Elumen8’s Storm 600 manual lists water-based snow fluid Flui03 (Equinox Snow/Foam Fluid). Never put smoke or haze fluid in a snow machine.

What does the Chauvet Hurricane Bubble Haze LT do?

It makes bubbles, haze, or haze-filled bubbles from two 0.8 litre tanks. It is controlled by a knob or the included FC-W wireless remote; Chauvet does not list DMX on the LT. It uses Chauvet bubble fluid on one side and Chauvet haze fluid, such as HF5 in the UK, on the other.

Will a bubble haze machine set off the fire alarm?

It can. Chauvet warns that all fog and haze machines may set off smoke detectors, so agree arrangements with the venue before using the haze function.

Can I use a snow machine outdoors?

Not these ones. ADJ says the Entour SNOW and Entour Cyclone are for indoor use only, Elumen8’s Storm 600 manual says indoors only, and Chauvet’s Hurricane Bubble Haze manuals say not to use them outdoors or expose them to rain or moisture. None of the machines in this guide has a published outdoor IP rating.