some have put vents of differant types on the sides just under the coal grate line. one of the original sj's had three wheel vents on the sides just under the coal grate line and thats what they are copying. if you look here you will see some with the three vents, http://tvwbb.com/showthread.php?15331-SJS-s-difference-s&highlight=wire+legs+smokey+joe
for straight grilling the sj silver will get hotter. its always been an issue between the gold and the silver. the more you use it the more you will learn to adapt. i have a lot of both so i can choose depending on what i want to do. you can get some exp metal and cut it to the shape of the coal grate and then use lump, this will give you a hotter fire.