For jerky you don't need to much smoke.I use pieces 3inches long by 3/4inch cubed.Soak them like earlier mentioned for 20-30minutes and add up to 3-6pieces staggered through the process.This is if you have a charcoal smoker with a water pan.Just put wood after soaked in water directly on coals,you'll see it start smoking,then add another after a half hour or so and so on.