oklahoma joes

I've recently purchased an Oklahoma Joe's Canyon Combo smoker and and still learning (a LOT!). My smoker firebox is very leaky, especially around edges of the ash tray making fire control difficult. The 'vents' are practically useless because most air is entering through the gaps in the edges...

I have about 10 years of experience as a Pit Barrel Cooker (PBC) owner, but my results smoking briskets has always been very hit or miss. The guidance I've had suggests that once it reaches somewhere in the 200-205F range internal, then it's time to pull it and let it rest (wrapped, of course)...

I just assembled my Highland yesterday and seasoned it for about six hours. Just a couple of observations and responses to other posts I've seen. Easy enough to do solo although having a second set of hands to hang the firebox (FB) would have been nice. Drilled four more holes for the FB so...