Spicewine Learning Curve?

I take delivery, in a little over a week, of a new to me Large Spicewine. I am excited as all get out, as this has been my dream cooker since shortly after I joined this forum some seven years ago.

I have poured over all of the Spicewine threads, and there are very few that are new.

So, without further ado, are there lots of learning curves?

Cook times won't be a problem, as this cooker already has a charcoal maze. I'm talking intake/exhaust ratios?

I've heard choking back the exhaust helps temps, but that just goes against my very idealistic thoughts, with stale smoke and all.

What are you running in your water pan? Water? Foil covered bricks with a dry pan?

Thanks in advance.