After you kinda figure it out you will go by time more than temp of meat.When I load mine up I know by the hr's when my stuff is done.Big stuff like brisket's 12-15lb and whole boston butt's 8-10lb 10-12hr's,rib's 6hr's,whole chicken 3-4hr's the only thing I temp check while cooking is deer meat like it about 135 degrees.