Well if he ant seeing any then he ant getting any....but nice theory Eric...you can see thin blue smoke...unless there in a wind storm...I can asure you that 99.9999999% of those that smoke there food can see the smoke...
Hmm...it's not just a theory, it's a practice those of us who have mastered the art and craft live by each and every time we fire up a smoker.
I have no problem with using a device to generate smoke with dust, chips or pellets...the principle is the same. But don't knock methods that are proven...call it old school or what ever you like. If you don't understand it, you don't understand the principles of the method, and you may not have gotten the smoke generation mastered. Myself (and many others, I'm sure) would be happy to offer knowledge on the subject, and there are numerous threads and a Wiki or two discussing it.
Using a smoke generator is easier, requires less preperation, and if it works correctly, gives the same results as using the smoker's heat source to generate smoke. If that's how you want to smoke, that's your choice and preference.
I personally enjoy spending my time mastering every smoke I do...hot, cold, cured meat or fresh. I develop a basic plan and follow it, making changes as I feel are needed along the way, and, I get enormous satisfaction in knowing what it takes to get my food from freezer to plate, and everything between, including making my own dry rubs, marinades, brines and brine cures.
There is a form of art involved in cooking, and, smoking is no different. If you carry the passion to create great meals with your own hands into smoking, you will truely understand my point of view. Learning the craft doesn't happen over-night, and can at times require a great of determination, as well as a few tips from frindly, knowledgable folks when using traditional methods.
Using a device takes away from part of the satisfaction for me, and likely, many others.
The O/P asked for a few simple pieces of info...I offered what I felt was asked for. He didn't give me any indiction of giving up on his current method, but instead wanted to know if he was doing it right, so I offered no advIce on changing to a different method. So, with that, I called it a I saw it and told it has come to be for me.
Eric