Make your life easy, get a Webber Smokey Mountain (vertical smoker). By far, the best bang for your buck. By the time you get the hang of it you will be well on your way to understnading what BBQ is all about and if you decide that you are a horozontial type of guy, you will still have one of the best little smokers on the market as a back up or to take on trips away from home (competition, vacation?). It is an easy one to learn on. Take my advice, I didn't. Any way you go it's a blast and good eating along the way. I don't think there is a wrong way to start out, just jump in and get your feet wet. Looking forward to seeing your progress.