re: Buying my first smoker... need advice **UPDATED 1st smoke w/ pics

Grills tend to run hot when they are shiny and new. I usually rub the insides of my WSM down with some peanut oil and due a nice hot burn for at least a few hours to dirty it up and to clean out any oils and residue that may be left from manufacturing. I think you accomplished the same thing with your first cook and I bet it will run a little cooler next time. Also, half a chimney of lit coal is a lot of lit coal even for a 22.5" model. When I do the minion method, I let maybe 20 coals good and ashy and put them right in the middle and let the fire slowly spread from there.

That seems like a long time for a small butt, but it looks nice. Congrats on the first cook!