German Christmas Smokers -Räuchermännchen, The History and Where to Get One!

German Christmas Smokers may look like a toy, or a simple decoration that goes on the mantle, my wooden Smoker Snowman does more, he is an incense burner… a Räuchermännchen. (Sadly, over the years, his pipe was lost, so now we just pretend he’s outside breathing cold air). This type of Christmas decoration is fairly common in most German households… and they different types of Smokers- Räuchermännchen are collected by many people.

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 gift brought on Jan. 6, as well as clear out the spirits of the previous year.

Musical Smoker Mushroom PickerRichard Glaesser Bavarian Hunter Sitting Smoker Made in Germany

 

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 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).

German Incense Smoker Lace maker – 16 cm / 6 inches – KWOKWO Wood Gnome German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in Germany NewRichard Glaesser Oma Opa Mini Smoker Made in Germany

 

(Also, I understand that many people find smoking to be a bad habit, and don’t want to glorify it… keep in mind, these are decorations from another time and place… an incense burning Santa will probably not send your child running to get a pack of cigarettes. If you are still concerned… there are other types of smokers, like a Woman holding a Bowl of Steaming Dumplings, a House with Smoke Coming from the Chimney, and a Dragon!.)

German Incense Smoker German Organ maker Gottfried Silbermann – 27cm / 11 inch – Karl Werner

Unlike the fancy nutcrackers that really shouldn’t be used for cracking nuts... a smoker can be used again and again. The smokers have a spot where a cone of Christmas Incense can be inserted. It often has a metal plate to shield the wood from heat damage. They are safe to have around the home, although I wouldn’t leave one burning if I was going to leave the house.

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!

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.

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 GermanyGerman Incense Smoker Wanderer – 15cm / 6 inch – KWOGardner Rake German Smoker SMK210X40Seiffener Volkskunst German incense smoker Dumpling Woman, height 11 cm / 4 inch, original Erzgebirge by SV 19002Pinnacle Peak Trading Company Forest House German Wood Christmas Incense Smoker Made in Germany CabinGerman Incense Smoker Exclusive Figure Dragon Grandpa

Vintage German Christmas Smokers

Etsy carries authentic German Christmas smokers..perfect for the collector.

Vintage Steinbach Germany Baker SmokerVintage STEINBACH German Smoker ~ Incense Smoker~German Mini Smoker/Incense BurnerERZGEBIRGISCHE German Smoker ProfessorWine Maker SmokerVintage Erzgebirge German Smoker Old Lady and Old Man

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!

German Incense Smoker Winterchild Santa Claus – 20cm / 8inch – Hubrig VolkskunstKWO Sitting Lumberjack German Christmas Incense Smoker Handcrafted in GermanyGerman Incense Smoker Forest Gnome Hiker, natural – 25cm / 10inch – Drechselwerkstatt UhligISDD German incense smoker Santa Claus, height 23 cm/9 inch, original Erzgebirge by Mueller SeiffenGerman Incense Smoker Gnome Viking – 14,5cm / 6 inch – Christian UlbrichtDregano Log Cabin Incense Smoker Made in GermanySeiffener Volkskunst German incense smoker Bavarian, height 19 cm / 8 inch, original Erzgebirge by SV 12663German Incense Smoker Forest Ranger – 18 cm / 7 inch – Authentic German Erzgebirge Smokers – KWO