Long time listener, first time caller

After reading others, I should probably provide some more background. I started my smoking adventure with a side firebox addition to my charbroiler 5050. I love that grill and have gained some pounds from that setup. It was during that time that these forums steered me in the direction of Todd and A-Maze-N smokers. I bought the 12" tube to add extra smoke in the offset and for use on my gas grill, but fuel inefficiency and 6 hard winters have not done that all steel setup any favors. Its still around, but hanging by a rusty thread. I was lucky enough to score a WSM 14.5" for $99 from Walmart during an end of season clearance sale and quickly fell in love. That setup just hums at 225-250 for hours with very little fuel and minimal interaction. All was well, until I opened the vents fully after a Turkey smoke for thanksgiving and too much oxygen ignited the full load of charcoal, the remaining chunks, and all flammable grease inside. I caught it and choked the fire out after about 10 minutes of raging flames, and thankfully the smoker was the only casualty of my mistake. That brings me to my current setup; a 30" MES with the 12" AMNTS burning Mesquite pellets for beef, Pitmaster's choice for lots of stuff, and Apple for pork.