I think smoking in an insulated, smaller box like the Model 2 I've found I use a lower heat for most of my smokes. Instead of 225 I'm normally at about 200 for the entire smoke. At the lower heat I'm getting fewer hot spots as well as smoke times consistent with other smokers at 225 degrees. I think it's because it's so well insulated and holds temperature so close to the set temp. I know my old Pit Boss would vary from 160 degrees to 300 degrees when it was set to 225. So, so far, I'm loving the Model 2. I guess my only gripe is I have trouble not setting the other parameters when I only want a temp for an undetermined amount of time. It's just got so many variables, I get to pushing the wrong sequence of buttons then I'm in no-mans lands with the menus.