Wood chips are not smoldering; very little or no smoke even though the smoker is hot.

Safety first: Wear heat-resistant gloves when adjusting parts in a hot smoker. Avoid contact with the heating element.

• Check chip tray position: Ensure the wood chip tray is installed directly above the heating element as designed. Misplacement can prevent chips from reaching smoldering temperature.
• Verify chip loader insertion: On side-loader models, fully insert and rotate the chip loader to the correct position so chips drop onto the tray.
• Use dry, small chips: Use dry wood chips or small chunks. Overly wet or large pieces may not ignite properly in an electric smoker.
• Preheat adequately: Allow the smoker to preheat to the set temperature before adding chips. Add a small amount at a time to maintain consistent smoke.