Abstract: The smoke generator produces smoke from combustible matter, such as sawdust or particulated wood, under a controlled set of smoke generation parameters which can be varied over a range of operating set-points. The pyrolysis and partial combustion phases of smoke generation are physically separated and are independently controlled. A controlled rate of sawdust or other combustible matter is fed into an air-excluded pyrolysis chamber in which the pyrolysis temperature is controlled by means of an adjustable power supply to a heating element in the pyrolysis chamber. The ash remaining after pyrolysis of the combustible matter is continuously removed from the pyrolysis chamber. Pyrolytic gases generated by thermal destruction of combustible matter in the pyrolysis chamber are removed to a second chamber where a controlled rate of air is injected with the hot pyrolytic gases to achieve a desired level of partial combustion.