Setting up a smoker: planning the exhaust, pipe & location

A smoker location needs four things: a solid, non-combustible surface, distance from combustibles, free air supply – and an exhaust high enough for the smoke to draw and clear above head height. You plan with the modular system: 130 mm V2A stainless steel (AISI 304) pipes in 500 and 1000 mm (from €47.60), elbow for corners (€73.78), rain cap for weather protection (€43.44). Indoors, the same connection leads to the house chimney.

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

Reading tip: Neighbourhood and regulatory questions regarding the location are covered in Balcony & Garden – here we focus on the technical setup.

Choosing a location: The four criteria

• Surface: Stone slabs, paving or concrete – level and load-bearing. On wooden terraces, a fireproof plate belongs under the ember zone; a base frame (Smoky: €154.70) provides working height.
• Distances: Clearance to hedges, fences, awnings and facades – heat and sparks need a safety distance, the door needs room to swing.
• Wind direction: The exhaust should not point in the main wind direction of neighbours' windows; wind-protected corners also improve temperature control.
• Air supply: The smoker breathes from below – the air supply openings must remain clear, no tight enclosures.

Setting up the exhaust: The V2A stainless steel (AISI 304) pipes are plugged onto the 130 mm socket – 500 and 1000 mm lengths combine to your desired height. Rule of thumb: muzzle above head height, higher in angled locations, because every additional bit of height increases the chimney effect and stabilises the draught. The elbow leads out from under canopies or through wall penetrations; the rain cap keeps water and downdrafts out of the muzzle. The throttle valve on the smoker remains the fine control – how it works is explained in the article Air supply & Exhaust.

Indoor setup: Cellar, garage or utility room work with exhaust routing to the outside – via the house chimney (approval by the chimney sweep required) or a core hole with a direct pipe. The Beelonia Smoky video already mentions exactly this option: the adjustable exhaust is designed for chimney connection. Without an exhaust, the rule is: never smoke in closed rooms.

Frequently asked questions about setting up

Does the smoker have to be perfectly level?

Plumb enough so that doors close cleanly and brines don't spill – a spirit level helps, but millimetre precision isn't needed. On slopes, shims balance it out.

Can the smoker stay outside permanently?

V2A stainless steel (AISI 304) handles the weather – with a rain cap on the exhaust and a breathable cover, it can stay outside all year round. The winterising routine is described in winterising.

How far should the smoker be from the house?

Far enough so that smoke doesn't draw into windows and vents and the facade doesn't get any heat – in practice, a few metres, keeping the wind direction in mind. For permanently built masonry systems, local firing ordinances apply.

Reading tip: If the smoke doesn't draw despite good planning, the diagnosis Smoke doesn't draw helps.

Sources and technical basis: Beelonia product data (130 mm exhaust, pipes, elbow, rain cap; prices as of July 2026); Smoky video (chimney connection, core hole); location principles from equipment expertise.