Look at this subject this way: Whatever you do to the wood, the object is THIN BLUE SMOKE.
I have come to the conclusion, as many others have, that you almost don't want to see anything coming out of the smoker, but smell it. White smoke- which BTW, contains a good portion of steam- is not what you want due to it's high concentrations of volatile chemicals and tars.
If you preburn your chunks, there will not be enough of the volatile components left in it to support much flame. OR produce the dreaded white smoke.
Draw what conclusion you will, but I don't add moisture to wood beyond what the atmosphere provides naturally.