i have a charcoal smoker. It took me awhile before I could make a decent batch. Charcoal smokers are hard to keep a constant temp. It seems like it is a constant battle trying to keep it from being too hot or not hot enough. Smoking fish for me usually involves standing beside the smoker for four or five hours trying to regulate the temp. Maybe I just dont quite have it figured out, but I assume that an electric or gas smoker would involve alot less frustration. I hope to buy an electric or gas one of these days. (i.e. when I win the lottery) or find some money on the ground, or in a fish maybe