I received this smoker as a gift from my brother. I have used it once so far to cook a pork loin.Very easy to use ,just load it up with one chimney of unlit charcoal and one with a full lit basket and you are set for a long cook . Add your favorite wood for some smoke fill the water pan and you are off to the races. Three hours later you are ready to wrap and about 30 to 40 minutes later you are ready to eat. My favorite Malcom Reed quote" IF YOU ARE LOOKING YOUR NOT COOKING"; is so true. The smokey mtn cooker has a probe port that's handy as a shirt pocket. If you set everything up right at the start you don't have to wonder.I have several other smokers including a couple of Weber 22" kettles, but the Smokey Mtn Cooker was easy to use and maintain good cooking temps.