I have been smoking for about two years now. I started with cheap charcoal smoker that was given to me by my father in law which he got as a birthday present about 20 years ago and never used. I was thinking about getting another smoker. When the Carson National Forest closed and Taos County followed suit with the restrictions, i.e. no charcoal or wood fires, I decided it was time. I thought about an electric smoker, but we have problem with power outages. After researching and using comments/reviews in this forum, I purchased a 30" Masterbuilt Vertical Propane Smoker about a month ago. I have put out some really great smoked meat since! I bought a cover which goes completely over the dials and protects it from the weather. The temperature gauge was really inaccurate and I was tired of losing heat, etc. trying to read an oven thermometer, so using the suggestions and recommendations of others in this forum, I now have a Maverick 732. It is absolutely the best! I also found an easy way to stop the flareup problems with the chip pan but this time using my own brain. I am looking forward to learning more and sharing my experiences with others.