don't spritz the meat with anything. This is done to provide a wet surface for the smoke to cling to.
Not sure if I exactly follow this post. But I add the following:
From the Culinary Institute of America:
TECHNIQUE OF THE QUARTER : THE SMOKING PROCESS
The smoking process allows cured meats, poultry, game and seafood to be
subjected to smoke in a controlled environment. The smoke is produced by
smoldering hardwood chips, vines, herbs, fruit skins, or spices. This smoke
influences the flavor, aroma, texture, appearance and shelf life of foods. The
process can be performed at temperatures that range generally from 65°F to 250°F.
The food merely retains the flavor of the smoke at lower ranges (cold-smoke), while
the food actually cooks at the higher end of the scale (hot-smoke).
SELECTING FOODS TO BE SMOKED
Virtually any meat, poultry, game or seafood can be smoked, as can hard cheeses,
nuts, vegetables, and sausages.
1. Prepare items
*****
2. Cure items (optional)
*****
3. Rinsing
• Stops the curing process
• Removes excess saltiness and excess surface fat
4. Dry Foods Well
• Removes excess surface moisture to form a skin (pellicle)
•
A wet surface will not readily absorb smoke (emphasis added)
• Removes excess surface fat
• Forms the Pellicle
5. Smoking Process
• Smoke is a seasoning - don’t overdo it