just my opinion & others here will surely disagree- when i set uot to cook food - i babysit my pit- i tend wood- otherwise i have an oven & a timer.cooking & the smoke means- porch time(that cost a few for the improvements & view)friends family &... well, ya know- if i wanna set it & fergetit i'll buy a ronco rotisserie.thats my opinion & i'll shout it out loud.