fired up my new 45 yesterday with 2 racks of baby b's and 1 rack of spares...3.5 hours like Smokin O recommended, might have gone a little less time I think...tempered the machine on Sat for 4 hours, 4 oz, was surprised to find out that they were just barely seared, not burned out at all, had about 3.5 oz left of solid wood...burned all 2 oz yesterday, though, that's a relief....many thanks to Smokin O, Rib Dog, and others whom I've read over the past few years before finally buying this month!! Glad that i waited years for the improvements (probes, electronics) to be included...and all the advice on these forums...can't wait to do a butt....THANKS KAREN, Thanks all you Cook Shack craftsmen & women....what a jewel this smoker is!!! These forums are definitely part of the Shack's success....