I can’t answer the first question but I don’t think it’s necessary to soak the chunks. You should have smoke for as long as needed without having to soak. I’ve done numerous 8-10-12 hour smokes where my original wood chunks are still smoking by the end. They’ve turned into little chunks of charcoal by the end. Ive never had to open this smoker mid smoke and add wood. It really is set it and forget it.