rökgång

Rökgång (literally "smoke passage") is a term used in Swedish and other Nordic languages to describe a channel or duct through which combustion gases and smoke travel from the firebox to the chimney. The rökgång may be part of fireplaces, stoves, tile stoves (kakelugn), ovens, or other heating devices, and it also appears in traditional smokehouses and, in some contexts, saunas.

Function: The rökgång directs smoke away from living spaces and provides a controlled path for exhaust. In many designs the passage also contributes to heat exchange, warming masonry or surrounding structures as hot gases travel toward the chimney. The exact layout can be straight, curved, or serpentine, depending on the appliance and era. Dampers or valves within the rökgång regulate draft and flame intensity.

Construction and materials: Rökgångs are typically built from brick, masonry, ceramic tile, or metal, and are integrated into the device or masonry of the building. In modern installations, insulated metal flues have largely replaced traditional masonry rökgångs, though the term remains in use for historic or vernacular equipment.

Maintenance and safety: Regular cleaning of the rökgång is essential to remove soot and creosote, which can pose chimney-fire risks. Joints, seals, and dampers should be inspected for leaks or damage. Proper ventilation and clearance from combustibles are required by building codes to ensure safe operation.

In Nordic building history, rökgångs are noted as part of traditional heating technology, reflecting how smoke management and heat retention were intertwined in historic homes and stoves.