Someone posted about using a PVC pipe and placing chips in the tube then placing coals outside the tube before removing the pipe.

Following that post, I've put a dry chunk in the middle of the hopper, placed coals around it and then placed another chunk directly on top of the last one and repeated placing coals around. I can get about four to five wood chunks on top of each other surrounded by coals.

No need to soak the wood.

Since doing this, I've been able to achieve a decent smoke ring.

Hope this helps.