I just bought an offset smoker and have never used one before. Do I put the coal or wood in the small chamber and all the meat in the large chamber?

The wood usually goes near the bottom, and the meats or whatever you are smoking on top. If your isn't set up with one on top of the other, then more than likely the wood goes in the smaller of the two. Do you still have the instruction manual? You could also check out the manufacturer website and possibly see illustrations.