first time I smoked anything. Saw and old Brinkman vertical in father-in-law's shed and he gave it to me. Bought a 4 and 1/2 lb chicken, made a fire in the bottom, filled the water bowl and let it go. oh, yeah I did put some dry mesquite chips in with the fire.. they burned out within an hour. Because there is no access doors I had to take the chicken and water bowl out to add a foil pack of mesquite chips with holes in it. 5 hours later I now have a very juicy, tender, bitter tasting chicken. Edible though. I'll have to find some better wood I think.