quote:Originally posted by Pags:
If the wood is correctly oriented and the element is touching the bottom of the wood box, then you should get a good burn. As the smoker seasons, it smokes better and more readily though I'm not sure of the reasoning for this. Sometimes the wood doesn't completely turn to ash although it will get completely blackened and partially burnt.
The wood makes a difference also. Sometimes when I use two different kinds of wood, one will be turned to charcoal and the other will be turned to white ashes.
Also depends on how big the pieces are and how they are split (with the grain or across the grain).
Bottom line is "Do you like the appearance, taste, and texture of your product when you sit down to consume it?"