need help with proper heating of smoker and max meat temps

[SKSmoker]

I put a brick in mine, and it helps alot for recovery time. I also have started to preheat my DBS at 320F for about 1-2 hours. Put the hot water in, punch up the temp, and let it rip until the meat has warmed up. I used to heat my smoker at 250F, but it was cold one day (-5C) outside, and wanted it to really get warm so when I open the door, it didn't sink to 150 :P

Never looked back. Preheat 320F, 1-2 hours with hot water in the bowl, meat at almost room temp, and throw it in. Recovery much, much better! By the time I get all the meat in and the door closed, the temp is around 200-220.. Put the temp down to cooking temp and go poke around the house :)

Deft keep us posted with your heating woes. Interesting indeed...

[kiyotei]

I also added a cast iron pan to the smoker to help with heat recovery time when you open the door.  That helped alot.  I do wish they would add a more powerful heat source.  With my old temperature control I could not get the unit up above 250.