I have done the Pepper Stout Beef twice now and honestly I liked it better without the smoke. The first time I smoked the beef chuck and thought the smoke was too over powering for the sandwich and it was all I could taste. Didn't even use that much wood, only a small chunk of pecan. The second time I made it, I didn't use any wood chunks, just over charcoal and I thought it was MUCH better. I suppose it's just a matter of preference!