Did two more smokes this past weekend using Comp K. On the first one I was doing a pork butt and was trying to keep the temps between 225-250 using the MM. For about the first half I was able to do this by keeping the bottom vents open only a sliver. But, about halfway in, the temps started to go over 250. I closed the bottom vents and they hovered about 260-265 for the next three hours. Near the end of the cook, they finally started to come down and hover around the 230's.
The next day I smoked some chicken. This time I opened the vents 100% until it got to 175, then I closed them to 25%. At 215, I closed them to barely a sliver open. The temp slowly rose to about 225-230. A couple of hours in it started to rise again. I quickly closed all the bottom vents and was able to keep the temp in the 230's.
So, it seems that Comp K definitely burns hotter than regular K and is harder to keep the temp down. I've never used lump while smoking, so I'm not sure if those users have the same issues. I've learned one of the keys is to quickly dial the vents down if you seen any temperature going up. Because once it gets up there it doesn't want to come down anytime soon.
All in all, I still like using Comp K. I never noticed the smell of the regular K until I used some to cook some burgers this weekend. I guess I had gotten away from it a bit and when I fired it back up, it was now noticeable. So, I think I'll stick with Comp K and lump for all my smoking and grilling needs.