I have a plain old weber smoker/grill with the two pans. Its about 17 years old.
When I use it for ribs, I season them the night before, wrap them in saran wrap and put them in the fridge..
In the mornign, get the fire going with a full pan of charcoal in the lower pan, fill the upper pan with boiling water, toss in 1/2 an onion and some cloves of garlic.
Rub some sauce on the ribs, wrap them in foil and place them on the top wrack in the Weber for 4 hours. Open up the foil for the last 1/2 hour or so. Always come out juicy and falling off the bone tender.
I smoke butts the same way, exept I brine them.
A crockpot is cheating, but still makes great pulled pork!