Is there any difference in the two? So many of you use the clay pot and it got me to wonder wny not just use an empty water pan as some of us do?
Does the clay pot offer something that an empty water pan does not?

Adding the clay pot adds a heat sink (which is all the water does too). A heat sink helps to stablize and control temps, reduces spikes, makes adjustments easier and take effect slower / less spiky(er). I might argue also that a heat sink helps to produce more even and constant temps at your grates.

I use both, empty water pan with a clay pot base sitting in it (the 14" fits perfect in the stock water pan, the 12" fits perfect in the brinkmann charcoal pan doing business as a bigger wsm water pan).

Some think the air that gets trapped between also helps to regulate temps.

But, I still do not use it (clay pot base) on high heat cooks (>350).

Todd

Todd - when you do high heat cooks, do you use the empty water pan at all?

Or just leave both of them out?

Yes, on high heaters I use the empty water pan so as to keep it an indirect cook.

Todd

FOILED...for easy cleanup!! Just leave a "little" space between the bottom of the pan and the foil, so it doesn't stick.