Hey there. I am a complete and total newbie to smoking meats. I have a friend who smokes and have been fortunate enough to be able to comsume a lot of his wonderful food. My beautiful wife bought a smoker for me for Christmas. It is the Char-Griller Smoker Pro. It is horizontal and has an off-set fire box. I am trying to read up as much as I can before I take it out on it's maiden voyage. I still have a few accessories to get (chimney, meat thermometer, grill cover, etc.), but I am rearing to go. Looking forward to getting to know everyone and getting some great advise. I live in Ankeny, Iowa and work in Quality Control for a major mortgage servicing company. If you want to know anything else about me, just ask.