The door is not practical, but the extra space comes in handy whan smoking more stuff. I've learned that if I fire it up I fill it up. The extra food can be vacuum packed and frozen for those times when you need something quick. Look at the space between racks on the 30 vs the 40. A medium size turkey barely fits in the space with one rack removed on the 40. A big butt (yes mine is, especially after this week) is pretty close with all the racks in. The charcoal trick just might darken the bark. Thanks!