Didn't sear the brats. Just threw them on top of the onions and peppers and they have been smoking for about 3 hours. No beer this time but I usually do. They are down in the bottom of the smoker due to a lack of room on the top. I had been running about 250. When I put the cobbler back in I opened it up a little and added some more fuel hoping to get it up to at least 300. There is a good chance the cobbler will have to finish in the oven. We will see!