The smoke machines use a special fluid, a mixture of glycol and water that is heated until it turns into steam and then expelled from a nozzle, to produce thick white smoke capable of creating a very spectacular visual effect. They differ from fog machines for the fog production method and its consistency. The latter, in fact, instead use an oil-based liquid that is nebulized and sent into the air. The fog obtained is thin and light, and remains suspended in the air for a long time, unlike the heated smoke, produced by smoke machines, which rises and dissipates in the room. Smoke machines are often equipped with a remote control to control the volume of smoke and its duration.

In the Ribalto catalog it is possible to choose from many models, starting from small and economical ones suitable for birthday parties, weddings and piano bars up to large and powerful machines capable of producing many m³ of smoke per minute.