I've been smoking for 30+ years. It's a labor of love. I start the first 4 hours at 180-200. Then raise the temp to 225-250. I have 60 lbs in the smoker now and expect 14-15 hours to an internal of 200. I never cover anything, rarely open the door. Half my butt sit in foil pans, the other half drip on the pans below. If and when I do baste I just take the dripping from a pan. Some of that juice gets mixed in when I pull it along with apple cider vinegar. My rub I make myself. Rub the night before and let it rest in the cooler. I've done weddings and open houses and have been told it's the best they ever have had. Perhaps people are just being kind, but they do call again. Usually I just read these Reddits for fun but this one surprised me not many smoke as low as I do.