what you described there, core it but not all the way and cut like a X, that's a blooming onion cutter, i have 2, one for small and one for large onions, i use these to cut and then foil the onions and add butter and spices then then put on the coals of the campfire and there excellent,
i like the idea of smoking them tho, my first try would be to cut (or cut into smaller pieces or into rings) using something with a small mesh on it like a jerky tray. then cold smoke with the AMP and wood pellets, cut up onions will dry up rather quickly on a smoke and bake, but that works well to if that's the goal you wanting. one way i like is using a med sized sauce pan, put the cut up onions in it and fill with BEER boil onion till soft, use on hot dogs burgers and such,, good eats
i like the idea of smoking them tho, my first try would be to cut (or cut into smaller pieces or into rings) using something with a small mesh on it like a jerky tray. then cold smoke with the AMP and wood pellets, cut up onions will dry up rather quickly on a smoke and bake, but that works well to if that's the goal you wanting. one way i like is using a med sized sauce pan, put the cut up onions in it and fill with BEER boil onion till soft, use on hot dogs burgers and such,, good eats