I like to first cook poultry and meats in the oven on low for a period of time and then when the smoker is blasting finish cooking and smoking. If your cooking beef ribs, that tend to be tuff, put them first in in a tray with beef broth at the bottom cover with foil and then in the oven on low before smoking. Season before putting them in the oven then if you like sauce do that in the smoker.
