Do I Need a Yard?

Do I need a yard?

To smoke safely, you will need an uncovered and well ventilated area. If you use a live fire smoker (using wood and charcoal), you will want a clearance of a few feet to prevent any heat damage to surrounding structures/objects. Live fire smokers tend to put off more smoke than electric smokers as they are generating heat by consuming fuel. It would not be recommended to use the unit too close to an open door or window.

Many electric smokers put off essentially no external heat as they are well insulated, therefore could function in a slightly smaller space. They also produce less smoke as the heat is generated by an electric element rather than charcoal. The wood still produces smoke, so very tight spaces would still be problematic if near open windows or doors.

I would suggest a space that is about 5′x5′ as the smallest space I would feel comfortable smoking in.