Well, like I said I have zero experience with that type of smoker but it seems as long as there is smoke around the meat it wouldn't hurt for some to escape around the doors? Is there a stack on top for the smoke to come out?

I just looked at the pic in the link and read the customer reviews. Sounds like you are not the only one that doesn't trust the thermometer. Also I see the little smoke stack on top now.

Try that baby out and see how it does! Makes me want one for those weekends where it would be nice to "set it and forget it" instead of building a big fire and shoveling coals for 5 hours.

it seemed to work great, temp was nice and steady, reason i got one like this was for that reason of having to nurse it like the real wood type.
I was told I had to much smoke on another site, stated I just want a little smoke, to much will be to strong and i would not like the taste. Guess I had to much wood in there? This is going to be a learning process for sure!!

great i will make the gasket, thanks!!

here are a few pic's of me seasoning it.

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...01_G.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...07_G.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...09_G.sized.jpg

http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/...06_G.sized.jpg

So if I put less wood and no soak it thee will be less smoke??

How much smoke is completely up to you and what taste you want. I personally will put enough smoke to em for an hour or 2 so that the fire department gets called, then cut it back once I have a nice layer of smoke bark on there. Others like just a hint of smoke though. Also depends on the wood. Fruit woods tend to be milder and can use more smoke whereas oak can be very strong. It's a trial and error learning process until you get it how you want it.

I agree, try it out and fine tune it from there.

ok i will do that! but how do you not have a lot of smoke?? just less wood??

Don't know? However my guess is you will see lots of smoke at first, as the wood keeps smoldering it will slack off some. I doubt you see intense smoke for 5 hours straight? Or you could test the less wood theory and add more as you go?

Also if you soak the wood some of the smoke you see will actually be steam boiling off as smoke.

i joined a smoking site, they said less wood, and that soaking the wood is not necessary?
like you guys said try it and see what works, the only way to learn. no want to much smoke and not like from the beginning, better to start slow and build from thee.
going to cook first time sunday!