Do not use the chip screen for chunks, your not hurting anything but it is absorbing heat that could be going into the wood to make more smoke.
As for foil boats and other tricks, do it if it makes you happy but it is so unnecessary.
My #3 may "Belch" due to combustion that some folks complain or fuss about but I do not care or notice. I bought the best quality electric smoker on the market so I can ignore it, not obsess over every detail.
I toss in an appropriate size amount of wood, turn it on and walk away. Great Results, every time.