I got tired of having to man the stick burner over night and babysit it the next day. Now I can get some yard work done or go to bed while it's cooking.Had one since June, had a bunch of Academy gift cards and with First Responder/Military discount I didn't pay much for it. As grill it's fantastic, zero complaints. As a smoker, it doesn't compare to a stick burner whatsoever imo. It's been pretty convenient to smoke in my stick burner for the first half of the time and finish it off in the Pit Boss though.