I hear ya Craig
! I've mentioned it before, but I can load my Weber Smokey Mountain (the smoker, not a grill) up with coals "one time", and easily get 15+ hours at a constant 225 with "minimal tending", so it "can" be done without spending big $ (less than $300 as I recall). Does the water provide a "heat sink"? Sure, but who cares...it's the net result that matters.