There is no reason you should not smoke the entire time if you like. I simply said that I believe that 100 to 140 IT was the optimum temperature to abosrb smoke. I am not saying that it will not take smoke otherwise, only that the affects are supossedly diminisihed. If your max absorption is 100 to 140 IT, do you really need to burn wood or pellets otherwise? Sure if that is how you enjoy your smoking.
I started waiting to smoke and probe the meat here. It allows for a good de-watering cycle when smoking cured or brined foods, as well as allowing the 4/140 rule and extra hour if a whole non-bone in muscle. Win/win. You save wood or electricity.... sounds l;ike a winner to me.