Wood chips flare up into open flame inside smoker.

Safety first: If flames appear, turn off and unplug the smoker, keep the door closed to starve the fire of oxygen, and do not open until flames subside.

Prevention steps:

• After cooling, verify the chip tray is installed exactly as shown in the GE manual, with proper spacing from the heating element.
• Use medium-sized chips rather than fine shavings, and avoid overfilling the tray.
• Check door gasket and vents to ensure you are not introducing excessive air leaks.
• Clean out accumulated grease near the chip tray that can contribute to flare-ups.