Welcome, I have fire brick in the bottom of the fire box. Saw no need to put them in the cooking chamber. Works great.
Sealing, If your door does not leak OK but just cause you don't see smoke doesn't mean it's not leaking. I used this, from McMaster-Carr.
http://www.mcmaster.com
Fiberglass sealing tape, PN 8813K31 10 bucks a roll and that's allyou will need for everything.
Adhesive. PN 7573A31 7 bucks a tube.
I sealed the chamber door, fire box door and side fire box door.
The adhesive on the tape is worthless but the above adhesive works great,
Cleaning, think you are maybe over doing it. I use foil sheets from Home Depot and throw them away after a few uses.
If you need new grates you can find them at Brinkman. It's normal for them to rust if you are not using them.
Next, buy a digital thermometer and stick it down the chimney. You should be cooking with the vent wide open so this way there is no need to open the door.
Then buy a
RED thermapen, they are pricey but worth every penny. Don't listen top the guys that tell you that another color works better, they speak with forked tongue.
Good luck and let me know how things go.
