I would put the beans on at the same time as the ribs. Don't cover the beans and put them on the rack below the ribs. As the ribs cook they will drip into the beans. Stir them once or twice while they are in the smoker. The beans can be finished or warmed in the oven (the smell of the smoked beans filling the kitchen and house is wonderful). Since you are new to the SM045, there are 2 things to know about and remember (They have both bitten me in the rear in the past). Open the door to the smoker, and look at the back wall. You will see what looks like a small metal tube sticking into the smoker. This is the thermometer for the smoker. Just remember to keep your product away from this tube. There is a an override for the first 20 minutes the smoker is on. It doesn't matter what temp. you set it for, for this 20 minutes, the smoker goes to High. If you turn it off, or loose power to the unit during the smoke, when you start it back up, it will go through this 20 minute start up cycle again.