Considering a home theater....

[thefuzz]

exactly the same one i have (the brinkman i mean)... same exact problem i have too.

that thing looks purty.

I have done a few things that help, but honestly it's almost easier and safer to buy the MES 40.

P.S. Try putting bricks in the bottom instead of the lava rock, they hold heat better. Also if it's chilly, put a heavy blanket on the smoker to shield it from the wind/temp. But keep an eye on it just in case.

[mmmbeans]

yea, i'll try the bricks... i've been trying to figure out how to help the heating element retain heat... that lava rock isn't worth shiat.

[celling]

I'm a big home theater nut and have been building mine for the last ten years. It can be a huge money pit, but I absolutely love mine. My best advice is to buy the components individually and jump on sales as soon as it happens. However, if you have your heart set on a home theater in a box, check out this site:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/htib-all-one-systems/162319-best-htib-money.html

It might give you some ideas

Here's what I ended up picking up:

TV: Pioneer 50" Plasma 5020FD

Surge Protector: Monster Cable HTS 1600

Receiver: Yamaha RXV-1065BL

Front speakers: Definitive Tech BP10

Rear speakers: Definitive Tech BP6

Center Channel: Definitve Tech C1

Subwoofers: 2 x Definitive Tech Supercube 1