I really like plain SPG spare ribs as a maiden voyage. Plain SPG pork ribs really showcase the smoke flavor and will let you get the distinct wood flavor differences (oak vs hickory vs cherry, or combined, etc). If you're figuring out a stick burner, i think spare ribs are really great cut for a couple reasons. Things like getting an idea of how early it creates bark, and potency of smoke flavor you get with it with whichever wood you chose. Spares are also pretty forgiving to temp fluctuations. They're pretty cheap and are relatively short cook time.
Wont be the very best ribs you've ever done. But if you're familiarizing yourself fire management, theres really nowhere for it to hide if you had a dirty fire on plain SPG ribs.
I still spritz with applecider vinegar/beer/hot sauce mix, and also wrap when i do SPG ribs.
You could do a rack of ribs on your kettle for comparo.
I look forward to seeing how the mods help it out. Smokin dad bbq used bricks or something to semi-insulate the firebox, a mod i thought was really good. Biggest complaint i hear is that sticks dont combust quick enough or you need to use very small sticks.
