Bubble Machines

A "bubble machine" is the mechanical equivalent of a guy sitting around with a bottle of bubble soap, blowing bubbles for hours.

A bubble machine isn't really spooky, but has certain entertainment value. We have two of them and keep them running anytime we have a party, or people come to visit. We have found that even the grouchiest, most boring person simply opens up when bubbles are flying through the air. It brings out the kid in everybody!

Here are some bubble tips...

Bubble questions and answers
Bubble solution
Gallery of bubble machines

Bubble questions and answers

Cautions!

The bubbles created by the bubble machine are soapy and damp. One or two won't hurt, but masses of them will make a surface slippery. Do not aim bubble machines across or along any walkway. It will likely become slippery, which can cause accidents.

As soon as you are done dispensing bubbles, wash away any residue in the flight path, or under the bubble machine. We managed to kill a huge healthy jade plant one year when a bubble machine dribbled a mound of foam on it, and we waited a day or two to hose it off.

Can I give the bubbles more kick?
We accidently discovered that lighting makes an incredible difference. We found this out when we put a bubble machine near the path of a DMX-controlled lighting fixture. The two were not intended to be turned on at once, but as the evening ran on, and the light grew dim, we became unable to see the bubbles. So I turned on the color-changing fixture, and was delighted by my newfound ability to make the bubbles change color on demand.
Better than that!
A few companies have recently started selling bubble fluid that produces bubbles which glow under black light. It is available in blue and gold. I haven't tried it, but it sounds nice. Search the web for it.

Bubble solution

Bubble machines require "bubble solution", a sort of soapy water.

Gallery of bubble solution recipes

If you would like to try making your own bubble solution, we offer numerous recipes, culled from all over the web...

Bubble Recipe #1

2/3 cup dishwashing liquid
4 cups warm water
1 tablespoon glycerin

Bubble Recipe #2

1/4 cup dishwashing liquid
2 cups water
2 tsp. glycerin

Bubble Recipe #3:

1 cup dishwashing liquid (Dawn and Joy are great)
10 cups water
1 tablespoon glycerin OR cooking oil (glycerin keeps longer)

Bubble Recipe #4:

6 C water
3/4 C corn syrup
2 C Joy dish-washing liquid

"Professor Bubbles" (bubbles.org) recommends:

1 part Joy or Dawn liquid dish soap
8 parts water

Exploratorium recommends:

2/3 cup Dawn dishwashing soap
1 gallon water
2 to 3 tablespoons of glycerine (available at the pharmacy or chemical supply house.)

Long-life bubble solution:

1/3 cup commercial bubble solution, such as "Wonder Bubbles" by ChemToy)
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup glycerine

Directions - for all recipes

Pour the water in large container.
Add liquid detergent and gently stir.
Add rest of ingredients and stir.
Transfer to storage container.
Set aside for four hours before using to allow bubbles to settle.

What kind of soap do you use?

The simplest way to feed your bubble machine is to buy pre-mixed bubble solution at a toy store. The Toys-R-Us chain carries bubble solution in gallon-sized bottles at a good price.

That's usually what I use.

Special Bubble Solutions

No, I don't know how to make any of these. :-(

Brightly colored bubbles

Tim Kehoe's Zubbles: Brightly colored bubbles, with disappearing color. [2005]

UV-fluorescent bubbles

Tekno Bubbles - available in blue and gold. Patents: US 5,961,894; CA 2,309,349.

teknobubbles

Interview with Byron and Melody Swetland, inventors of Teknobubbles

Phosphorescent bubbles

Said to exist.

Durable bubbles

SpinMaster Catch-A-Bubble: clear bubbles that last as long as five minutes. [2002]

Gallery of bubble machines

We present pictures of random bubble machines, with a little descriptive info. Not to scale - picture sizes can be deceptive!

American DJ BU-200

American DJ BU-200. Described as "High output bubble machine". Front fluid tank. Plastic case is light weight & rust free. Dimensions: 10.5" x 10.5" x 9.5". Weight: 5lbs. 120V operation.

I have two of these and like them a lot.

List Price: $139.99; street price around $90.

American DJ BU-300

American DJ BU-300. Described as "High Output professional bubble Machine". 120V operation.

List Price: $139.95

American DJ BU-400

American DJ BU-400. Described as "Super High Output professional bubble Machine". 120V operation.

List Price: $199.95

Bubble Pro Party Machine

Described as follows: The Bubble Pro Party Machine is an electric bubble blowing machine that's sure to add something fun to any gathering. Just fill the reservoir, plug it in, switch it on and watch it go. Measures 8 inches deep by 8 inches wide. Detachable reservoir.

It seems to go for around $30. Ask your favorite search engine for "Bubble Pro Party Machine". It seem to come in various different colors.

VEI V9903 Compact Bubble Machine

VEI V9903. Described as follows: Mini Bubbler!! Made of molded plastic. Powered by the supplied AC adalpter or (2) "AA" batteries. About the size of a large flashlight! Dimensions: 6*" x 4-3/4" x 5*"

The manufacturer's web page is: http://www.visualeffectsinc.com/VEI/vugif/bubble%20Blowup/V9903_blowup.html

I don't have one of these, but the battery operation looks like a nice feature.

Chauvet B-100

Chauvet B-100. Described as follows: Hundreds of bubbles per min. Easily removable fluid tank. Shoots bubbles up. Size: 12.5'' x 7'' x 7.5''. Weight: 10.5lbs. Power: Switchable 110v / 220v.

"Hot Air" bubble machines

I don't have any pictures, but there are now "hot air" bubble machines that include a heating element akin to a hair drier. Being filled with hot air, the bubbles are more inclined to fly up.

StreetBear

Tom Nirenberg sells a bubble blower in the form of a plastic bear.

There is a bowl for the solution between the Bears legs. The arm goes up and down and has a wand attached. When it is turned on the arm goes down to soak up the solution and then rises to the mouth. A PC Board controls a blower inside and the rate of the Arm. It can work continuously or be set to relax between its cycle.

For details, please see www.streetbear.com $695 [January 2005]

[photo] Described as follows: StreetBear is a bubble blowing bear that delivers people to your storefront effortlessly. He hangs just outside your front door and blows endless streams of luscious bubbles all day long. When passersby see these bubbles they will follow them straight to your door.

Energy-efficient (runs on 4 rechargeable D batteries – batteries and charger not included)
PC Board controls Arm movements and energy conservation.
Portable and lightweight (just 13 lbs.) Just under 3’ tall.
You can hang StreetBear, put her on a stand or on place him on a shelf.

Thank you for visiting. Your comments are welcome.
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