I'll just add some thoughts that may echo what some others have said. Definitely go with a 2x2 set up for your snake, I think the 2x1 just isn't going to produce enough heat. I also prefer to use wood chunks instead of chips, I don't know if that effects temperature at all though. I will definitely echo adding hot water to the drip pan. Our sink can get pretty damn hot, so I run it for a few minutes and get it steaming hot and use that in my drip pans. I also typically start about 15 coals to put at the end of the snake. For me with vents, I have my bottom vents mostly closed, opened just enough to maybe fit a number 2 pencil at the curved part of the opening. The top vents are usually about 3/4 closed. Now I'll adjust both of those open or closed depending on how the snake is running. Which is usually determined by how windy/cold it is.