A few thoughts on Treger insulation blanket. I purchased my Texas from a friend who went with a newer model. When I got it it had a the blanket already installed. My fist task was to do a good cleaning, inside and out. I am not sure how long the blanket had been attached but when I removed it, the inside surface was stained and greasy. the inside of the blanket has a square waffle pattern and the open areas had channeled the smoke and grease across the copper colored lid and of coarse the pattern was burnt on the lid / cover. The inside of the blanket was so nasty, I moved it directly into the trash. I am still trying to find a cleaner that will remove the burnt on pattern off the lid without removing the paint. Where the cover was wrapped around the bottom of the tank, the paint was showing a light rust color.
I light sanded the bottom tank and repainted with high temp paint. I installed a seal along the gap on top between the lid and tank which prevents the top from leaking heat and smoke.
If you are using a Treger blanket, I would remove it after every smoke and do a good cleaning to the inside of the blanket and lid and top of your smoker. My preference as stated in an earlier post is a welding blanket. They are inexpensive {I bought a 4 X 6 foot on Amazon for a very reasonable price}
This is a great forum, I really enjoy the good information that other members post.