Adjusting supply & exhaust air: How to get the right draught

The basic rule of airflow: open the air inlet at the bottom and the exhaust at the top just enough so the smoke draws visibly and stays thin and blue. If the smoke draws, moisture leaves the chamber and the flavour stays clean; if it stagnates, it seeps out of every crack and deposits bitter creosote. With wood and gas, the air inlet also controls the temperature – more air, more heat. The often overlooked key: the infinitely adjustable throttle valve at the top of the exhaust.

Last updated: 23 July 2026 · Author: Michael Vering, Beelonia GmbH · All prices: as of July 2026

Reading tip: Why a clean draught decides between bitter or aromatic is explained in Blue smoke, white smoke.

Air inlet and exhaust: two valves, two tasks

When hot smoking, the air inlet regulates the temperature: wood embers or gas flames need oxygen – more inlet air heats up, less dampens. The exhaust stays open enough for the smoke to draw swiftly. When cold smoking with a cold smoke generator: open the fresh air completely, exhaust open – the small embers need plenty of air so they don't suffocate.

The throttle valve – key and maintenance case at the same time: Beelonia smokers have an infinitely adjustable throttle valve at the top of the 130 mm exhaust. It allows you to finely regulate the draught and even connect the smoker to a house chimney. A practical tip from the workshop: if the valve is adjusted while warm and the smoker then cools down, it can get stuck due to smoke resin. Gentle warming helps then – and regular cleaning of the mechanics keeps it moving smoothly.

The most common mistake: closing the exhaust too much to 'keep more smoke in the smoker'. The opposite happens – the smoke stagnates, becomes thick and white, moisture condenses and the result becomes bitter. Less, but drawing smoke always beats a lot of stagnant smoke.

How to find the right setting

1. Both openings open: To heat up, open the air inlet and exhaust completely – the smoker quickly reaches temperature, the smoke starts to draw.
2. Check the smoke appearance: Is there thin, bluish smoke at the exhaust? Perfect. Is white smoke billowing from the door? Open the exhaust further.
3. Fine-tune temperature (wood/gas): Too hot? Close the air inlet slightly. Too cool? Open the air inlet. The thermometer at grate level shows the effect.
4. Cold smoke: Fresh air fully open, exhaust open – this is only about clean, cool smoke, not temperature.

Frequently asked questions about airflow

Do I have to close the exhaust when cold smoking?

No – especially with cold smoke, the exhaust stays open so the small cold smoke generator embers get air and the smoke draws. A closed exhaust suffocates the embers and traps moisture.

How do I connect the smoker to a chimney?

Via the 130 mm exhaust with standard exhaust pipes; the throttle valve regulates the draught. For outdoor installation, the rain cap protects the exhaust – details in the article Setting up a smoker.

The smoke doesn't draw despite the valve being open – why is that?

Then there is often a draught problem behind it: blocked pipe, lack of height or wind against the exhaust. The complete diagnosis is provided in the article Smoke doesn't draw.

Reading tip: Trapped smoke leads to tar and condensate – how to remove both is shown in Removing tar & condensate.

Sources and technical basis: Smoke generation and equipment dossier (air inlet/exhaust control, smoke draught, temperature regulation via oxygen); Beelonia videos (130 mm exhaust infinitely adjustable, throttle valve maintenance against smoke resin, fresh air with cold smoke generator). Prices: beelonia-shop.de, as of July 2026.