That is a very good job, regardless of it being your first or 100th cook. I think the 14.5 is perfect for cooking pork butt, particularly in dry environments. Because the volume of the cooker is small, it ends up raising the humidity (moisture from the butt). My pork butts have an amazing crust when cooked in a 14.5 vs. any of the larger units. It makes a big difference out here in California.