Don,
A lot of useful details in that article. I'm now entering my fourth week of firing a batch of 72 primed Shirazi leaves in a can smoker (a 31 gallon galvanized trash can with holes in the bottom, set on top of a Brinkmann smoker). With modifications to the hanging supports, it could probably hold double that quantity, and still provide adequate spacing.
Just by accident, my firing regimen has been fairly close to the one described in the article. I've used varying combinations of split oak, apple wood, charcoal and bark-on maple branches. I've fired it at least once every day, often as many as three times a day for the past three weeks. My goal is a Latakia substitute.
The leaf was wilted and partly yellowed for two weeks before starting the firing. For the first two weeks, the Brinkmann contained a large pot of water between the fire and the trash can, and the temperature was allowed to go no higher than about 120ºF. Starting the third week, the water pot was removed, and the temps allowed to creep upward, sometimes above 150ºF. Each night, the hanging leaf goes into high case.
Right now, I'm planning to continue for a total of 4 weeks, maybe longer if the leaf is not dark enough. Presently (after 3 weeks) the leaf is a rich, deep brown, with very dark brown at the tips. My goal is as close to black as I dare get it. I'll post pictures and all the details when it's done.
Bob