I smoke my sticks, but as a regular step in my process I hang the sticks with no smoke until the are dry then add smoke. It seems the drier the sticks are before i smoke they have more of a snap. I would try a couple things if you are using an oven: crack the door of the oven, stick a wooden spoon or something in there in the beginning to let the humidity out. I agree with Austin, i spray mine with a hose to drop the temp, then into a refrigerator-they are designed to remove moisture. Make sure they are completely cool before vacuum sealing.