Well I have only used it once so far to smoke a bunch of chicken breasts. Definetly a hard time keeping the heat but thankfully the the chicken cooked just fine. Actually the chicken turned out awsome. I am hoping to do it again this weekend. But definetly a pain trying to keep the temperature regulated. Think it will just take practice. After I was done cooking I actually grabbed the charcoal pan and dumped it while it was still hot and found ton's of unburned coals under the ash. Think I might have put in to much or didn't let it all burn before putting on the lid and closing the door.