I don't put anything in the foil. A lot of people do so it is fine if you want to. I am thinking your right on the temp gauge being way off. Check it and see. You can kick the heat up some and that should help.I use a master built electric smoker. It was my first smoke . I was using the built in thermometer on the door. I think out was reading way low. I was trying to keep it around 225. I have another thermometer in there now that seems to read better. Do you put any butter or juice in the foil for the 2 hours?-