I have gone through the gamut on smokers over the years. Wood, charcoal, propane, electric. Have settled on digital electric for my last one, and if it died I would get another just like it to replace it. I am getting lazy! Do not want to baby sit a smoker any more. I use apple, hickory or mesquite. I smoked some carp that was all gone in less then half an hour at work! They would not believe it was carp. I even told them before they ate it! The key for carp is filet, brine, then pressure cook for 90 minutes, then smoke/cook. Came out great. I bowfish, and wanted to see if I could make it edible. Seems to have worked. I do a lot of cheese to bring to work. Guys seem to really like that.