I mix a few large chunks of hickory with the coal.
To get a long burn with coal I use the Minion Method. That's where you light 10-12 coals and then put them on top of your unlit coal. It works great.
Vermont Castings is a good product. So is Ducane, now owned by Weber, but I use the snot out of our grills. I'll replace the burners every couple of years, maybe less now that I've got the Performer and use it alot.
Are you talking about this type?
http://www.traegergrills.com/?gclid=...FQEGQQodCFoVeA
Rox just got one for her husband so you can ask her about it. I've read good things about them. A top notch product.
I like the Weber because you don't have to tend it constantly. The cheap offset smokers can be a real bear to maintain temps and the fire boxes are made of cheap metal and won't last. You need atleast 1/4" thick metal on the fire box. (That means don't get an offset from your local Home Depot.)