[Steve]

Here's another question Joe, what type of charcoal are you using; briquetts or lump? Lump burns hotter.

Also, does your fire box have a grate to hold the coal up off the bottom of the box? I have seen some that do not have a grate, or that have a grate that is tonarrow and only keeps the coal a little off of the bottom of the fire box. I picked up a larger grate (wider) that would let me lift the charcoal a little higher off the bottom. This gives me more room for the ash to drop thru and not "smother" the fire, and it lets more oxygen get to the fire.

It's not a big mod to the smoker, but it made a difference for me.