Okay so I don't feel equipped to comment on the shrinkage issue... Anyway, I just bought a 12-pound turkey and plan on smoking (yep, mighty big papers) it in a Brinkman (non-electric) this weekend. I am going to try placing garlic, chiles, and orange juice in the bowl instead of just water. I will be using a combination of hickory, charcoal, and fruit tree wood (nope, I never was able to identify the particular fruit before the tree croaked). I'll let you know how it goes! Accepting all helpful hints, Suz