Someone said they attached a 1/4" stainless steel rod to the heat deflector so they could adjust the heat deflector from outside the smoker. First you would need to drill a 1/4" hole through the outside of the smoker (use some high temp grill paint to prevent rusting), next to the grease drain and through the heat deflector. I remember seeing pictures of it at one time. I would use an all thread rod, put an nut on the inside and outside of the head shield to secure the heat deflector and put a wing nut on the all thread that is sticking out of the smoker. Probably would need to ensure it doesn't affect the folding tray on the side if it is a DB. I've actually thought about doing this, but the new heat shield I got has pretty much stabled my temps from side to side. Here is a pic of the old and new heat shield.