just got a new pit... what do you guys think?

[OSD]

Looking at the pics of your pit, The built-in thermometer may not be able to calibrated. I would suggest that you go to the grocery store and pickup a couple of cheap oven thermos and set them at different places on the cooking grate. Then when it shows 200° on the built in thermo, check the oven thermos and see what they read. Then you will know the difference in the two readings and can adj. accordingly. My guess is the built-in thermo is reading low.
Also make sure your exhaust stack is wide open when cooking, adj should be made with the air intake vent. Let us know how it goes.

[Big Ed]

The first thing i always do is i get a flat piece of metal to go on the bottom of your firebox,this keeps the hot coals from touching the bottom.It will last alot longer.

[NewBQ]

Hello Brandon,

I may be seeing this wrong, but is there a second "lip" in your fire box for your charcoal grate?

It looks like you are resting your charcoal grate too low. (unless I'm seeing it wrong in the picture)!