Hi Caroline, welcome to the forum. I was like you, Cooking on a offset. It was alot of fun when I had the time to babysit it and add the wood, consumed lots of beers watching it. I do miss that part sometimes. But what I like better is putting on a Pork Butt at bedtime friday night, not worrying about it. lunch time saturday, ya got a perfect piece of meat ready to be pulled. Remember to season the smoker first. and dont get frustrated if your first couple cooks dont come out the way you like. You will love it, Its so easy it should be against the law.