For years I have been happy with my Alton Brown Cardboard Box Smoker. A hotplate, a cake pan, some saw dust, some dowels, a cooling rack or two, and a couple of probe thermometers and you are set. oh, and a cardboard box big enough to hold it all, with the food you want to smoke. It was easy to use, easy to store, and didn't break the bank. This year I am going with a modified cheapo brinkman, so time will tell how much I like it. One think I like about the cardboard box smoker, is that it is very easy to convert it to a cold smoker for making bacon...I have done bacon, pork shoulder, trout, and chicken.
Been making my own rubs for years, too, and I ripped off Alton Brown's rub and chicken shake to do it. I am very happy with what I have done with it.
pat