Baffle advice

[hooked on smoke]

Greetings,
I'm in a quandary. Being very new,I'm frustrated.
I am still figuring out my Trailmaster LE that I have modified with firebox and cooker gaskets and door latches and sealed all holes and manufactured a firebox basket. I am considering a bbqsmokermods baffle.
My question, would it really make a difference? Being a new guy I'm having trouble controlling the chamber temperature. Should I learn to control the firebox first? I can not seem to hold a consistent chamber temperature.
Sorry if this is a redundant newbie question but I really could use some help from those with more knowledge. I'm not looking to be a pro but want to get good at smoking.
Respectfully. I love this place and have learned a lot. For what it's worth my wonderful wife is kinda enjoying it as well. I have her to thank for getting me my first smoker years back.
Respectfully,
Hooked on smoke

 

[SmokinAl]

The purpose of the baffle is to get even temps from side to side.

Some guys like having a hotter side, but most like to have the even temps all the way across.

Controlling your smoker temp will come with practice, but don't be obsessed with keeping it at a certain temp.

If I want to smoke something at 225, I build a smaller fire & add smaller splits when needed.

If I want to smoke at 280 I build a larger fire & add larger splits when needed.

But the only difference I have found between smoking at 225 or 280 is it takes less time to cook at the higher temp.

What ever I'm smoking comes out just as good no matter which temp I'm smoking at or anywhere in between.

So what I'm saying is build a fire in your smoker & let it burn & see where the temp stabilizes at. Control the temp with the dampers, but don't mess with them too much. Let the smoker find it's own temp.

My Lang likes to run around 260-280, so I let it.

Hope this helps!

Al

 

[hooked on smoke]

Thanks Al.
You are always helpful.

 

[hardcookin]

Pretty much what Al said.
As Al mentioned find the temp your smoker likes to run at. "Using 250 as an example" When the temp starts to drop add a split. Your temp could spike to 270 before it settles back down.
When your temp hits 245 add another split and keep repeating...
After your fire management skills get better, maintaining your temp will become easier and you will know what size split you need to throw on to maintain your temp. Every pit is different and all requires learning to manage the fire to achieve proper temps.

Enjoy your new smoker!!

 

[hooked on smoke]

hardcookin,
Thank you for the tip. I've read a lot here and it's time to apply some of the great advice. I had shied away from using the offset out of frustration but it's time to get back at it.
Thanks to everyone.