Many red box users want to run their smoker hot and fast, without water. Since it wasn't designed that way the standard gasket will prematurely degrade and begin to leak at consistant temps over 300 degrees. We have found over the years that the Red Box works extremely well at high temps but at a price. The gasket will have to be replaced. If you want to run your Red Box without water you will have to do two things.
1. Reduce the amount of charcoal you use down to about 15-20 briquettes
2. You will have to replace your door gaskets sooner than latter
You will see some paint discoloration but it will not affect the performance of the smoker.
Always run the hole in the fire box toward the back of the smoker and use the dry heat diffuser for more even distribution of heat throughout the cooking chamber.