grawk, that too. but, if you start with enough natural briquettes in an egg you can dampen the chimney daisy wheel & the bottom damper & go for a good many hours before having to add more coals & readjust the two dampers. if i need to add more coals i use one of those cans with a handle & fill it with natural briquettes & put newspaper under the coals to start them up & add from there as needed. it is not precise as you say and it is a feel thing. good smoking is an act of love & a little practice. it is not too difficult to master in short order. for me it is a lot easier than using a webber. cheers, O