My method is without the coal basket... for my difuser/heat sync I use a a piece of 1/4" steel plate cut about 12-13 inch diameter... it sets on a grate that goes down in the bottom of the Imusa pot (this is why I don't use a basket)... and then I put a 12" cast iron skillet (wrapped in foil for easy clean up) on top of the steel plate... once all this steel gets heated up the smoker recovers really quick after opening the lid ... I don't use water ether ...