Wood results after seasoning...placement suggestions for 1st smoke?

[jpowell]

Just did the 4hr 250F seasoning with 3 chunks that came with my 3D (hickory I think?)
I left the chip screen in place which I'm not sure is right or wrong.
Here's what they looked like...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aryji89w5o77lbf/2016-04-07%2017.26.20%20HDR-2.jpg?dl=0
and with the chunks turned on their side to see the bottom
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iryacj0e1lssi6z/2016-04-07%2018.08.23%20HDR.jpg?dl=0
The chip screen is bowed so the chunks on the ends we're not making contact really with box directly whereas the middle was. I'm also wondering if that ring got hot and helped that middle piece burn more.  I assumed they would have burnt more in 4hrs, but I'm a n00b to smokers.
Just wondering folks thoughts on what if anything to change/do with the wood placement and chip screen as I get ready to do my 1st smoke probably tomorrow.  I do plan to put foil around the bottom of the chunks as I've seen others do in posts.

 

[Smoken]

The chip screen is what it implies for chips I also am a noob with a new SI2 I plan on using chunks only with the foil boat when I broke mine in last week they were pretty much ash.

 

[old sarge]

I get pure ash, no boat. 

 

[SconnieQ]

Your chunks should look more burnt up than that. More black and possibly ash. I'm seeing a lot of unburned wood. I don't use the chip screen for chunks. Chunks can go directly in the wood box. I also don't foil boat the chunks unless I feel my wood chunks are so dry that they will ignite (causing a "belch"). Got some good smokinlicious.com wood now, so chunks go in naked.

 

[JackT]

Just did the 4hr 250F seasoning with 3 chunks that came with my 3D (hickory I think?)
I left the chip screen in place which I'm not sure is right or wrong.
Here's what they looked like...
https://www.dropbox.com/s/aryji89w5o77lbf/2016-04-07%2017.26.20%20HDR-2.jpg?dl=0
and with the chunks turned on their side to see the bottom
https://www.dropbox.com/s/iryacj0e1lssi6z/2016-04-07%2018.08.23%20HDR.jpg?dl=0
The chip screen is bowed so the chunks on the ends we're not making contact really with box directly whereas the middle was. I'm also wondering if that ring got hot and helped that middle piece burn more.  I assumed they would have burnt more in 4hrs, but I'm a n00b to smokers.
Just wondering folks thoughts on what if anything to change/do with the wood placement and chip screen as I get ready to do my 1st smoke probably tomorrow.  I do plan to put foil around the bottom of the chunks as I've seen others do in posts.

Your chunks should have burned to ash, but you can probably blame that on the chip screen. While the foil is more of a personal preference, it's not really needed for your wood chunks. Some have mentioned combustion of their chunks, and wrapping them in foil with a few holes poked in the foil will eliminate that and possibly lengthen the wood smoke. You'll get to know your smoker now that you've broken it in and you can experiment with the different wood types to compliment your meat. Enjoy and Happy Smoking!

 

[es1025]

I usually take my chunks and make them a bit smaller. If i have 5 oz of wood, i will resize to 5 pieces. More consistent smoke and wood becomes ash.

 

[jpowell]

I usually take my chunks and make them a bit smaller. If i have 5 oz of wood, i will resize to 5 pieces. More consistent smoke and wood becomes ash.

I was pondering doing that. Thanks for the confirmation.

 

[Pork Belly]

Do not use the chip screen for chunks, your not hurting anything but it is absorbing heat that could be going into the wood to make more smoke.

As for foil boats and other tricks, do it if it makes you happy but it is so unnecessary.

My #3 may "Belch" due to combustion that some folks complain or fuss about but I do not care or notice. I bought the best quality electric smoker on the market so I can ignore it, not obsess over every detail. 

I toss in an appropriate size amount of wood, turn it on and walk away. Great Results, every time.

 

[SuperDave]

I toss in an appropriate size amount of wood, turn it on and walk away. Great Results, every time.

I guess you are one of the lucky ones.  Wood consumed with fire produces bitter smoke and ash tray tasting food, fact. 

 

[Walt]

I agree with Pork Belly's statement.

 

[drains]

I agree with Walt.

 

[BedouinBob]

I only occasionally get ash. Mostly because of the altitude here. Less oxygen and all. It also means I never boat anything and get to do like Pork Belly and put the wood in and walk away. Hmmmm, less oxygen.....maybe I need to set up an oxygen bleed to "help things out"....... nah...  8)