Pit Barrel Cooker (UDS) Charcoal question

Some folks use magnets to cover the holes to snuff out the fire.

As long as you don't short change yourself on cook time you can use less coals. I only fill my basket if I'm doing a long cook like a butt or something. For turkeys or chicken I'll fill it about 1/3 to 1/2 full. No issues with temperature. Mine will cool down after about an hour or two. Well all except one. I need to redo the seal on the dome lid. You may have some air leeks hindering your cool down time.

If you have a Harbor Freight near you, they sell the small round magnets with a hook. Fit perfectly over the rebar holes in the PBC. I use them to regulate heat if I am using the grate, or to shut the PBC down after the cook