Why the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine Is Better Than Traditional Plumbing Smoke Bombs
If you’re comparing traditional plumbing smoke bombs (also called smoke candles) to a professional plumbing smoke testing machine, it’s important to understand how each system works. A plumbing smoke bomb is a single-use smoke-generating device that is ignited and placed into a smoke blower to produce dense, visible smoke for plumbing smoke testing. As the smoke travels through a plumbing or sewer system, it escapes through cracks, broken pipes, faulty plumbing vents, uncapped cleanouts, and other defects, allowing technicians to quickly locate hidden leaks without destructive digging.
While traditional plumbing smoke bombs have been a trusted tool for sewer leak detection, plumbing vent leak detection, and municipal sewer inspections for decades, they require a new smoke candle for every inspection. This increases material costs, requires manual ignition, and can slow productivity for professionals who perform smoke testing regularly.
The FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine offers significant advantages in efficiency, operating costs, safety, and productivity. Instead of burning disposable smoke bombs, FogTrace uses refillable, water-based fog fluid to generate dense, highly visible fog instead of smoke, at the push of a button. After a short 3–4 minute warm-up, the machine is ready to perform multiple plumbing smoke tests without replacing smoke generators, helping contractors complete inspections faster while lowering long-term operating costs.
Feature | Traditional Plumbing Smoke Bombs (Smoke Candles) | FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine |
Smoke Source | Single-use smoke candles | Refillable water-based fog fluid |
Cost Per Test | Approximately $6.50–$13.50 per test (if you can even find them!) | Approximately $0.29 per test |
Reusable | No – requires a new smoke candle for every test | Yes – burns minimal fog fluid. one tank lets you do up to 100 tests. |
Startup Time | Light a new candle before every test | 3–4 minute warm-up, then ready for repeated use |
Operation | Manual ignition required | Push-button operation with wired or wireless remote |
Remote Operation | No | Wireless remote up to 165 feet |
Output Control | Limited once ignited | Instantly start and stop smoke with the push of a button |
Multiple Tests | Requires a new smoke bomb for every inspection | Perform multiple tests using minimal inexpensive fluid. |
Smoke Duration | Fixed burn time | Controlled output—use only the amount of fog needed |
Residue & Odor | Can leave noticeable smoke odor and residue | Clean, water-based fog with minimal residue or smell that dissipates quickly. |
Storage | Requires stocking disposable smoke bombs | One reusable machine with easy to source, cheap, refillable fog fluid |
Operating Cost | High recurring consumable costs | Very low operating cost |
Safety | Open flame required | No open flame during testing |
Best For | Occasional plumbing smoke testing | Frequent professional plumbing smoke testing |
FogTrace™ vs. Traditional Plumbing Smoke Bombs Why Plumbing Professionals Are Switching to FogTrace™
Traditional plumbing smoke bombs have been the industry standard for decades, but every inspection requires a new disposable smoke candle. Over time, those recurring costs, combined with the need for manual ignition and repeated setup, can slow productivity and increase operating expenses.
The FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine eliminates those inefficiencies by using refillable, water-based fog fluid to generate dense, highly visible smoke at the push of a button. Once the machine has completed its brief 3–4 minute warm-up, it is ready to perform multiple plumbing smoke tests without interruption, making it an ideal solution for professional plumbers, municipalities, sewer contractors, and pest management companies.
Benefits of the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine
- Up to 95% lower cost per test—approximately $0.29 per test compared to $6.50–$13.50 for traditional plumbing smoke bombs.
- Reusable machine designed for thousands of smoke tests.
- No open flame required, improving jobsite safety.
- Wireless remote operation with a range of up to 165 feet for convenient one-person testing.
- Push-button start and stop control so you only generate the amount of smoke needed.
- Perform multiple smoke tests without replacing smoke candles between inspections.
- Clean, water-based fog that leaves minimal residue and odor.
- Lower long-term operating costs by eliminating disposable smoke bombs.
- Faster workflow and increased productivity for plumbing contractors, municipalities, and pest management professionals.
Why Professionals Choose the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine
If you only perform a few plumbing smoke tests each year, traditional plumbing smoke bombs can be a cost-effective option. However, for plumbing contractors, municipalities, and professionals who routinely perform sewer leak detection or plumbing smoke testing, the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine delivers a significantly better return on investment.
With lower operating costs, faster setup, push-button operation, improved safety, and the ability to perform multiple tests using inexpensive refillable fog fluid, FogTrace™ helps you complete more inspections in less time while reducing long-term costs. For frequent smoke testing, it’s the smarter, safer, and more profitable solution.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plumbing Smoke Bombs & FogTrace™
What is a plumbing smoke bomb?
A plumbing smoke bomb, also called a smoke candle, is a single-use device that produces dense smoke when ignited. It is placed into a smoke blower to fill plumbing or sewer systems with smoke, making it easy to identify cracked pipes, faulty plumbing vents, uncapped cleanouts, and other hidden leaks. Each plumbing smoke bomb is disposable and must be replaced after every test.
Is a plumbing smoke testing machine better than smoke bombs?
It depends on how often you perform smoke testing. If you only conduct a few inspections each year, plumbing smoke bombs can be an economical choice. However, professionals who regularly perform plumbing smoke testing typically benefit from a FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine because it offers lower operating costs, push-button operation, reusable fog fluid, improved safety, and much greater productivity.
How much does a plumbing smoke test cost?
The cost varies depending on the equipment used. Traditional plumbing smoke bombs typically cost $6.50–$13.50 per test, while the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine uses inexpensive refillable fog fluid, reducing operating costs to approximately $0.29 per test.
Is plumbing smoke testing safe?
Yes. When performed correctly, plumbing smoke testing is a safe and widely accepted method for locating sewer leaks, vent leaks, and other plumbing defects. The FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine is even safer because it eliminates the need for an open flame, unlike traditional smoke bombs that require manual ignition.
Who should use the FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine?
The FogTrace™ Plumbing Smoke Testing Machine is ideal for plumbing contractors, municipalities, sewer inspection companies, drain cleaning professionals, and pest management companies that perform plumbing smoke testing on a regular basis. Its reusable design, low operating cost, wireless remote operation, and ability to complete multiple tests from a single tank make it a smart long-term investment for professionals.
