What is a Smoke Eater?

Ever wonder what those giant boxes are on the side or top of bars, cigar lounges, and restaurants? They’re smoke eaters. 

This air purification system quickly eliminates tobacco smoke, pollen, dust, mold spores, and other irritants using top-of-the-line, disposable and replaceable filters.

Knowing what is a smoke eater and how it works will help you understand this air cleaning system better to give your guests the freshest and most breathable air quality possible.

Smoke Eater Vs. Air Purifier

Smoke eaters are similar to air purifiers in the sense that some of them can accommodate large spaces. When equipped with an activated carbon filter, both air filtration systems can remove smoke and smells, allowing you to breathe safe and clean air indoors. 

However, smoke eaters are more powerful and have a higher Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) performance, which is perfect for removing gaseous carcinogens fast and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) that are dangerous byproducts of cigar smoke.

How Smoke Eaters Work

Smoke eaters are high-performance air cleaners ideal for large spaces. This air purification system simply takes air in and passes it through a series of filters to produce clean air. 

Smoke eaters should be positioned in an area that allows enough air to tread per square footage, such as suspended solid ceilings or drop ceilings. This type of smart technology also requires adequate filter media to enhance further ambient air quality, such as HEPA filter and Activated Carbon filter.

As mentioned, smoke eaters boast high CFM that is conducive to proper air circulation. This is achieved thanks to the type of filter that should be regularly cleaned and replaced to get your air filtration system working efficiently at all times. 

Types of Smoke Eater Filter Technologies

• Carbon Filter

This type of smoke eater technology contains activated carbon that can absorb tobacco smoke, strong odors, and contaminants that linger in the air. It is easy to maintain since you would have to change it every two months.

• HEPA Filter

High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter technology has a threshold of 99.97%, which can trap particulates 0.3 microns or larger. 

This type of air filtration system is one of the more expensive ones to maintain since replacing it is not enough to keep the smoke eater going. Users would have to invest in activated charcoal filtration to absorb the cigar’s smoky stench entirely.

• Electronic Filter

This type of filtration technology charges particles and collects them in electronic cells. This is another one of the more high-maintenance filters since the cells require regular cleaning to function well. However, they’re quiet smoke eaters best for bars, cigar lounges, and casinos.

• Media Filtration (Cotton or Synthetic)

One of the more popular types of smoke eater technology is the media filtration system. It does a great job of capturing particles since they are made from cotton or synthetic woven materials. 

This is probably the more optimal choice if you’re looking for an outdoor smoke eater since they’re not equipped for home heating or HVAC systems. 

Media also require specific equipment to regulate air circulation if any breakage occurs. This filter requires regular replacement and cannot be reused, which is not the most budget-friendly if you’re looking for something long-term and affordable.

Home Vs. Commercial Smoke Eaters

• Home Smoke Eaters

These air cleaners are more affordable than commercial ones since they are more portable and smaller in size. Typical home smoke eaters are also portable and include media filtration systems made of synthetic materials with a moderate Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) rating when it comes to removing smoke. 

Home smoke eaters are best for apartments, duplex homes, and four-story houses that require more than an air purifier to function. They’re usually quieter and can remove all indoor pollutants like dust, pollen, residue, and pet dander in certain homes.

• Commercial Smoke Eaters 

Commercial smoke eaters are specially made to absorb all the cigar or cigarette smoke in big open or closed business spaces. They’re equally as effective in getting rid of airborne pollutants and contaminants. Many commercial smoke eaters are found in cigar lounges, hookah bars, vape lounges, and casinos, to name a few. 

The electronic type is the best smoke eater for cigars, plus it’s the most popular commercial variant. It has multiple filtration stages and usually comes with activated carbon filter replacements that will last you a year.

Types of Smoke Eater Installations

• Portable

If you’re wondering what the best smoke eater for the home is, then portable smoke eaters are the most suitable. It’s typically the easiest to install because you can just place it in a well-spaced out corner of your house or office. 

A highlight about this smoke eater is its dedicated fan which aids in removing the specific cigar smoke smell in a room. The fan has enough power to push through dense and hazy air into the carbon air filter. 

• Ceiling Mounted

Perfect for commercial spaces like casinos, hotels, nightclubs, hotel lounges, and restaurants, this type of installation requires you to hang the smoke eater up the ceiling. 

This is ideal for those who wish to tie it into the building’s ventilation system since smoke eater fans also create modifications according to the air filtration setting. Ceiling-mounted smoke eaters might be a bit pricier because they require a professional installation service.

• Concealed

Another smoke eater variant that needs a professional set-up and assistance is the concealed installation type. This minimalist approach is standard in elegant bars and high-end commercial establishments since the smoke eater would be “out of sight and out of mind.”

Commercial Smoke Eater Uses

Indoor spaces may seem less congested with smoke when an air conditioner is around, but commercial spaces benefit more when using a smoke eater. Below are a few commercial establishments and businesses that could use a smoke eater.

• Bars and nightclubs
• Restaurants and kitchens
• Casinos and hotels
• Cigars and hookah lounges
• Bowling alleys
• Bingo halls
• Welding and manufacturing areas
• Schools and universities
• Cannabis cultivation facilities
• Offices
• Functional halls

US Market Statistics on Smoke Eaters and Air Purifiers for Smoke

• The application of commercial smoke eaters accounted for more than half of the global revenue in 2020.
• The SmokeMaster C-12 filters work best with tobacco smoke, pollen, dust, mold spores, and other irritants with up to 99.8% efficiency, eliminating the need for costly and wasteful replacement filters.
• Ionic filters in smoke eaters and air purifiers have a projected expansion of its 8.3% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the next seven years.
• The average cost of an air purifier or a residential smoke eater can go as high as $2,500 in the US.
• 46% of US homes with two or more people currently own an air purifier or residential smoke eater.
• 3 out of 4 allergists recommend an air purifier or portable smoke eater in the home or the office.

Invest in a Smoke Eater Today!

Socializing with friends and family indoors can be tough with the presence of misty and offensive-smelling air. Also, running a business can be taxing without the proper smoke removal system that promotes comfort and pleasure.