So I got my first smoker together today and did a few mods (thanks big time to this forum). I've got the Char-Broil Silver smoker. I extended the chimney to the grates using aluminum flashing rolled up inside the chimney. The next mod was a baffle over the opening to the firebox. I used a piece of plain steel sheet metal and attached it to the angled lip above the opening with a sheet metal screw. The final mod was to ditch the firebox charcoal crate for a coal basket. I fabricated it out of L-brackets and expanded metal. I've got the cooker seasoning now and it's holding steady around 225 for the last hour. I'm about 15 degrees difference from one side of the smoke chamber to the other. So far, so good. Tomorrow will be the big test, with my first smoke, an 7 lbs boston butt. I've posted some pictures of my mods, and I'll post some q-vue when I'm done with the butt tomorrow. Wish me luck!!!