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Looks Great ! I agree that the charcoal basket is your next mod - will really help with the temps.
I keep forgetting to get a picture of my home-made one - which I'll try to do -
As for the temp guage - I hardly use the internal one similar to yours - as I dedicate a digital for that (stick probe through a half potato or similar to keep about 1 inch of grate). But simple soap and water and paper towel will do just fine.
Ash build is def a problem with the stock charcoal grate. Especially when using briqs. Do get a basket made and raise it a few inches. I can do 12 hours or more without dumping ash.