That is a great smoker!!!!!!
I only put on a bit of BBA sauce the last few minutes. Most of the time with ribs I put on a little dry rub, nothing else.
My late fishing buddy had a great smoker, wish I had photos. Brick smoke house with a brick burning compartment, the smoke was ducted similar to your SS unit.
I have always wanted to build a brick smoke house, might do it this summer.