When doing a biochar burn, there should be no smoke other than usually at thebeginning or end. Steam is not smoke, it if water burning off. One thing to consider is whether your wood is dry or wet. If it is wet then it probably wont burn well, or burn without smoke. I just finshed building a J-Ro TLUD built under the watchful eye of Art Donnely of Seachar.org. I was hoping to burn this weekend, but we had torrential rain the last few days, and everything is wet. I hope to get a burn in soon.
Best of luck with all your biochar efforts.
