Jon,
I talked a friend out of a SmokeFire and into a rec-tec RT-700 and he is unhappy with it. He sees the food I’m putting out and now he wishes he would have gone with the SmokeFire.
Last time I recommend anything because you know if I recommend a SmokeFire and they have bad luck with it I would feel terrible.
I’m pretty comfortable making adjustments on the fly and the WSM experience I have had, has made the S.F. much easier for me too handle.
I am happy that Weber has continued to try and improve it.
I don’t mind cleaning, i don’t mind a drip pan, the rest is on Weber to nail and so far I’m content with their efforts.