it all depends on what you are trying to achieve temp wise.... if i wanted to get it really hot in there i would take out the diffuser and let the pan catch any drippings.....,some people take out the pan and foil the bottom of the warmer then chunk it after the cook..... there is so many ways to use the warmer go on our facebook fan page there is a wealth of knowledge there...if you can not get over 200 degrees you are just not doing something correctly.... i can bust 300 degrees very quickly