Wow, haven't been around in a while and this thread grew. This isn't all pretty but it makes some good bbq.
I have one thing going on that makes me wonder. The bottom rack is 24.3" from the bottom of the charcoal ring, the second is 7.5" above that. Last weekend I had a 12-13lb packer on the bottom rack and an 8-9lb butt on the top rack. Kept the temps in the 225-270 range all day and after 10.5 hours the brisket was done, the butt was only at 175.
I'm thinking I need to swap the racks half way through the cook but I hate to go to all the trouble. This happen to anyone else?