"Mario Stargard" > wrote in message
> Here's the issue: I've made some great barbecue using lump charcoal
> (Royal Oak brand) and have thrown soaked wood chips in for the smoke
> flavor. Then I got bold and got some hardwood to use in the smoker
> wanting to see what that was like.

Units like this are designed for use with charcoal. You can add bits of
wood, but do it carefully, slowly, and only small pieces at a time. When I
say small, I'm talking an inch to one and a half inches around. Get the
wood burning before adding another.

What you experienced was creosote from a fire that was smoldering, not
burning cleanly. You can also use a burn bucket to get the wood going and
just shovel the coals into the firebox of the smoker.
Ed

http://pages.cthome.net/edhome