planned on making a 13 pound batch of snack sticks on Sunday but the wind was blowing so bad I thought this was not a good idea . Everything was ready and I couldn't wait til the next weekend so I figured lets try it. Unfolded the wind shelter got the smoker going and loaded it up and crossed my fingers. The weatherman said the wind so blowing about 25 mph with gust up to 35 mrh . Had NO problems with the smoker at all from the wind, could hold a steady 130 deg. for 2 hrs until I increased the temp to the next step , It worked just GREAT . It worked so good i think I'll give her a coat of paint !