Offset fire question

[rez667]

Last weekend I was smoking a few pork shoulders, and got this nasty black smoke when I added a log. It is the same wood I have been using since last spring. I am pretty sure the flames were hitting the top of the box. It eventually went away, and didn't affect the pork. Should I clean the fire box lid of carbon build up? I have just been leaving everything on there. Also, to anyone that has a Brinkman Trailmaster type offset smoker, like the one below, how do you manage your fire? What size logs do you use? Thank you :-) Rez

 

[sawhorseray]

I don't use a Brinkman. Black smoke in a offset is usually a sign of some creosote on a split, treated wood, or a grease build up that has caught the flame. RAY

 

[rez667]

I think it is creosote on my lid. I am going to clean it off and see if it makes a difference. I got this smoker from a friend as a gift. I never gave it a proper cleaning. Looks like I know what my Saturday will entail. Thank you for the response. I appreciate it.

-Rez