Congrad on buying your first smoker. We have used a water smoker in one form or another for many years. The first thing anyone will need to smoke is a whole chicken. This is very easy and only takes around 4 Hrs. The first thing you will need to get is a meat thermometer. We like the montreal seasoning and bbq sauce on alot of our smoked meats. You can use most any type spice or rub that you are already using. The beer can in the chickens rear end is always hard to beat. Place 1/2 canned beer into chicken with spices