I agree with Bob that hardwood pellets make  great smoker fuel. My chief objection is that I don't want my smoker to stay lit forever. I prefer for it to go out if I haven't used it for a couple of hours. Also, I refuse to pay for something that I am just going to burn up!

By the way, a galvanized bucket with a tight fitting lid makes a great container for a bee smoker. Using burlap, I kept the smoker going all day in a van, when I was doing state bee inspection. No smoke escaped from the bucket. The smoker went out each night, so I didn't have to worry about it. 

I hesitate to admit it, since I always thought it was a sign of laziness, but I have taken to using a butane torch to lighting the smoker. This works great for the wood pellets, like Bob said. Lighting burnt burlap is a cinch, any way you do it. 

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