German Christmas Smokers may look like a toy, or a simple decoration that goes on the mantle, but they do more, they are incense burners or Räuchermännchen. This type of Christmas decoration is fairly common in most German households (like Nutcrackers), and there are different types of Smokers- Räuchermännchen are collected by many people. You’ll find a variety of Santas, Brewers, Beekeepers, Toymakers… all with a pipe in hand or in their mouth. And why? Open up the figure, and you find a platform for a small cone of pungent incense. This is lit… and the smoke comes out of the hole mimicking pipe smoke. The home is filled with delicious smells of pine or Frankincense.
In more recent years, maybe because fewer people are smoking, woodcarvers produced other sorts of figures to “smoke” without the use of a pipe…. like a Santa House and dragon!
Over the years, I’ve collected a few, and while shopping in Seiffen, a few more may have come home with me. (And honestly, the Nightwatchman and Miner stay out year-round).
My most recent addition is the vintage Santa with a DDR label. Since the Erzgebirge lie in the former DDR, it totally makes sense, because that is where the story of the German Smoker begins….
What are German Christmas Smokers?
For thousands of years, incense has been treasured. This precious commodity was traded and sold for vast sums of money. As precious as gold, it was even brought to the infant Jesus as a gift from the Three Wise Men. Incense has been historically used to cleanse evil spirits, and to make the world a better smelling place. In the early 1800s, carvers in the Erzgebirge began carving Räuchermännchen or Smokers to burn incense during the holiday season. They were meant to symbolize the gifts brought on the Epiphany Jan. 6, as well as clear out the spirits of the previous year.
KWO Santa Claus with gift sack, Incense SmokerKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
Christmas Smokers Germany
Once made from dough or Paper Mache, Smokers are now carved people made from wood. Some look like Santa or other Christmas characters, but many are carved to look like everyday people who you would find in a typical German village; a Baker, a Wine Maker, Brewer, or a Fisherman. Some are just made from wood, but others have metal or fur details to make them extra special. Puffs of sweet smelling smoke will come out of the smoker’s mouth… making it look like he’s smoking (generally, they all have pipes to complete the effect).
KWO Wood Gnome German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in Germany NewRichard Glaesser Oma Opa Mini Smoker Made in GermanyKWO Baker Cakes Breads German Smoker SMK210X03Seiffener Volkskunst German incense smoker dragon, height 12 cm / 5 inch, original Erzgebirge by SV 19069
Unlike the fancy nutcrackers that really shouldn’t be used for cracking nuts... a smoker can be used for more than mere decoration. The smokers have a metal plate where a cone of Christmas Incense can be placed to shield the wood from heat damage. They are safe to have around the home, although you should never leave one burning unattended.
(Sadly, over the years, his pipe for my Snowan was lost, so now we just pretend he’s outside breathing cold air).
Many of the best known wood carving companies in the Erzgebirge make Smokers. Steinbach, KWO, Richard Glaesser and Christian Ulbricht. With so many styles to choose from, you can find the perfect smoker for you… and your friends.
These sweet smelling Christmas Decorations can be enjoyed for years to come!
Dregano Mountain Miners House Cabin German Smoker – Approx 5 Inches Tall
Find the Perfect German Smoker for your Home
Whether you like a Santa, a Toy Maker, a traditional Bavarian… or even a dragon… there are loads of beautiful German Smokers available.
German Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: “Deluxe Jack Frost, Blue” by Richard Glaesser, w/ bonus
German Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: “Santa Resting By Stove” by Richard Glaesser, w/ bonusGerman Erzgebirge Smoker: “Ski Hut” by Knox, w/ bonusGerman Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: Christian Ulbrecht “Night Watchman”, w/ bonusGerman Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: “Postman” by Richard Glaesser, w/ bonusGerman Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: “Chef At Stove” by Richard Glaesser, w/ bonusGerman Erzgebirge Smoker Figure: “Biker” by Richard Glaesser, w/ bonus
KWO Toy Vendor German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in Erzgebirge GermanyKWO Oktoberfest Bavarian Drinking Beer German Smoker – Approx 7.25 in Tall – …KWO Red Santa German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in Erzgebirge GermanyGardner Rake German Smoker SMK210X40
Dregano Craftsman Incense Smoker Made in GermanyDregano Mini Santa Ruprecht Smoker Made in GermanyDregano Bee Keeper Incense Smoker Made in GermanyDregano Beer Delivery Man Smoker Made in GermanyDregano Blue Gnome Smoker Hand Made in Germany
German Incense Smokers from Käthe Wohlfahrt in Rothenburg ob der Tauber
You don’t need a plane ticket to order smokers from Käthe Wohlfahrt! See the whole collection here-> Käthe Wohlfahrt
Christian Ulbricht Santa Claus, Incense SmokerKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreKWO Nikolaus, RäuchermännchenKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreChristian Ulbricht Night watchman, incense smokerKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreChristian Ulbricht Waldmann, RäuchermännchenKäthe Wohlfahrt Store
Käthes Original Winterhaus, DuftlKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreKäthes Original Holzknoddl “Weihnachtswünsche”, RäuchermännchenKäthe Wohlfahrt StoreGingerbread Incense Smoker Train “Wonderful Advent Season”Käthe Wohlfahrt Store
Vintage German Christmas Smokers
Find authentic Vintage German Christmas smokers perfect for the collector.
Hand Crafted Toy Maker incense smokerVintage Smoker Knitting Grandma at FireplaceWood Collector Gnome with belt natural – Made in GermanyGerman Incense Smoker Shephard Hand Carved Wood SmokerWest German Smoker – Incense Burner – Pilgrim Theme – Holzkunst – Christian UlbrechtVintage German Smoker – Toymaker
German Smokers Incense
While the German Smokers Incense Burners are cute as a stand alone piece, to really make them special, you need incense.
Crottendorfer Frankincense Scented Incense Cones, Pack of 24, Made in GermanyKNOX Cinnnamon Scented Incense Cones, Pack of 24, Made in GermanyBoxes German Incense Cones – Christmas ScentKnox Nuremberg German Incense Cones Variety Pack Made Germany Christmas SmokersKnox Heidelberg German Incense Cones Made in Germany for Christmas Smokers
See a Smoker in Action Here…
Still looking for a German Christmas Smoker?
There are SOOOOOOOO many to choose from!
Santa House Cabin German Smoker – Wooden – German MadeKWO Oktoberfest Bavarian Drinking Beer German Christmas Incense Smoker GermanyKWO Beekeeper German Incense Smoker SMK215X71German Incense Smoker Winterchild Girl with stollen – 20cm / 8inch – Hubrig VolkskunstAlexander Taron Importer 1-667 Christian Ulbricht Incense Burner-Fir Cone Man (Natural) -4German Incense Smoker Dog lover – 16cm / 6 inch – KWOKWO Schwibbogen Candle Arch Erzgebirge German Smoker SMK211X68German Incense Smoker Pilot – 21,5 cm / 8 inch – Christian UlbrichtMini Dog Duck Hunter German Smoker Incense Burner – Made in Germany
KWO Sitting Lumberjack German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in GermanyISDD German incense smoker Santa Claus, height 23 cm/9 inch, original Erzgebirge by Mueller SeiffenDregano Log Cabin Incense Smoker Made in GermanyGerman Incense Smoker Forest Ranger – 18 cm / 7 inch – Authentic German Erzgebirge Smokers – KWO