>>He left his lit smoker in the
>>back of his truck and after about 3 miles the smoker ignited the plastic
>>bags.

I do not have a smoker box, but there is an easy method to keep a smoker smoldering but not get hot enough to start a fire while in the back of the truck.  Before leaving each bee yard, tightly stuff the top hole of the smoker with green grass or leaves.  The smoker will stay lit for up to an hour (time to drive to the next bee yard), but will be smothered eventually.  

With regard to using burlap in the smoker, most problems are related to using fresh new burlap.  Leave the bags out at the apiary on the ground to partially decay for one season, and they will burn much better.  As someone else mentioned, putting beeswax scrapings into the smoker on top of the burlap roll helps it to burn better and longer.

--Jeremy Rose
San Luis Obispo, CA

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