Hello, Everyone:
I bought the Smokenator 1000. I'm doing a test burn. So, far it's performing as advertised.
I'm a little nerdy when it comes to accessories and my equipment. I'm right handed, and my Performer Silver has the lid rest on the left, which is fine because I'm right-handed. The Smokenator instructions say to place the lid with the lid vent opposite the Smokenator. I set up the Smokenator on the right side of the bowl, and that means that I have to spin the lid around so that the lid vent is opposite the Smokenator, which means that I'm no longer facing the dome thermometer, and I find that annoying...I told you I was nerdy. I thought about setting up the Smokenator on the left side of the bowl, on the side with the lid rest; but, that makes it even more awkward to add water, check the coals, and so on. I'm thinking that my WSM is looking better for anything low 'n slow, while I'll continue to use my kettle for grilling, and for anything that isn't low 'n slow.
I thought early on that the Smokenator was a solution looking for a problem. I think I've confirmed my own suspicions. Still, it does open up more space on the cooking grate. Maybe, as someone else posted, I'll just forget the rinky-dink water pan, use a foil pan with water under the meat on the coal grate, use the Smokenator as some of you are using fire bricks to hold the coals to the side.
Smokenator, the barbecue world's version of the 8-track. Yep, I had that, too.