Question for Shirley Owners

[Beentown]

Oooohhhh I see what you're saying (in case you couldn't tell I'm not too mechanically inclined :becky.

Those of you with 24x**, ever wish you had a 30x**?

Just for future pig cooks and bigger hogs.

 

[bri134]

Mine has not been built yet but you will find that the 5-6 month wait will allow you plenty of time to change/pick your options. The deposit is just really a way to reserve your spot in line. Make a spread sheet and think about your cooks and your space. I will be getting the new cabinet design. I was dead set on the insulated firebox but came to my senses since I am in Texas. Used that money for other options. You will hear a lot of owners saying they do more cooks in the warmer than the main chamber.

My must haves...
Cabinet doors, 3rd rack in warmer, ss shelf

I'm leaning toward an insulated box since the winters here in DC aren't much fun. Have the spreadsheet started already too :becky: - have the damper from firebox to warmer penciled in specifically for that purpose...good to hear others do that already.

 

[bri134]

Just for future pig cooks and bigger hogs.

I'd think you could do smaller hogs (80lbs or so) in a 24 though, right?

 

[pjtexas1]

Oooohhhh I see what you're saying (in case you couldn't tell I'm not too mechanically inclined :becky.

Those of you with 24x**, ever wish you had a 30x**?

That is why I added a 3rd and 4th rack to my 24x55 cabinet. I get the space of a 24x90 or maybe even a 30" model if necessary but on smaller cooks I don't have to heat up all that extra metal. I am going to guess that I will never need all 4 racks but you never know. I am sure the airflow will not be ideal with 4 racks of meat but that has never been an issue on my insulated cabinet smoker. Hopefully it will work enough to get me thru a big cook here and there.

 

[Beentown]

I'd think you could do smaller hogs (80lbs or so) in a 24 though, right?

No problem. I used to cook 200 pounders so it feels weird cooking piglets.

 

[SGH]

You will hear a lot of owners saying they do more cooks in the warmer than the main chamber.

I am one of them^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^. The warmer is extremely good for cooking. I use it 95% of the time. What I really enjoy about the warmer is being able to cook "raised direct" if I want to. Or to just simply grill in it. My PBC brethren should be able to appreciate this. I remove the lower grates in the warmer and hang meat from the top grate at times. The warmer kind of serves as a heavy duty PBC on the Shirley. Best of both worlds in my opinion. Paul put a lot of thought into his smokers for sure.

 

[AZRaptor]

Hmmm... Sounds like the SS shelf is recommended by a lot of folks. I may have to review some of my options to see if I can free up some funds to upgrade the shelf.

 

[unixadm]

Just stop by Paul's. When I visited him last year he had a number of different smokers in various states of construction. Trailers, three wheels, four wheels, cabinet doors, insulated firebox, etc. Just let him give you the tour and pick and choose what you want. Meeting Paul was super cool and you won't leave anything but impressed. These guys simply do awesome work and it's so cool to see them having such a backorder of pits. Back then it was about a three month wait, so business must be good!

Paul helped me out by storing my new to me Southern Pride SP-1000 that I bought in Mississippi and towed to Tuscaloosa. You can see some pics of other pits in various states of completion in the background.

 

[NavarreQ]

Hey everyone,

I'm down here in Pensacola FL picking up the wife from a class shes been in (we're both active duty Navy) and she's recently given me the go ahead to buy one of Paul's works of art :becky: So on our way back up to DC, we're going to swing through Tuscaloosa and meet Paul and see his pits in person while dropping off our deposit check.

So my simple question is this:

Are there any features that you got with your SF that you haven't found much use for, or that you didn't order that you wish you had?

I understand that this is a very subjective question, but I'm very interested in your thoughts.



Thanks in advance!

I wish I'd have known you were coming to Pcola and looking at a shirley ! I live about 30 mins from Pcola and did a big cook this past weekend and Id have invited you to the party! To my knowledge, im the only shirley owner in the panhandle! I have a patio model thats about 2 years old and it's the best investment i ever made! things I would change, I should have got warmer and i should have went bigger on size! Hahah I just cooked 8 ten pd butts on my bottom rack and here im thinking bigger pit! Lol, I'll sum it up in one word, if I won the lottery for 100 million bucks , Paul shirley would build my 100 grand Shirley gold plated smoker! Because a. Hes an outstanding craftsman! And B. You meet this man and talk to him on the phone and you can't help but say wow! His customer service is Unequaled!

 

[bri134]

Really great info here guys - thanks a ton for sharing your insight. NavarreQ that wouldve been a great time! Would've loved to have seen your SF. The wife just finished her last exam... cant wait for the trip to Paul's tomorrow. I think she's as excited about it as I am. :becky:

 

[Fat Cap]

During my build, my wife called Paul and surprised me with a stainless shelf. Always has to prove how smart she is. I am so happy with it! I would consider that a "must have". The cabinet doors are super nice too. No more throwing out my shoulder opening a door. I am glad I got the warmer and have used it a lot, but that is more of a personal call.

 

[posey's_pork_pit]

I mentioned this on another Shirley thread ~ I'll be seeing the Shirleys to add the damper between the firebox and warming box. Add a thermometer port on the right side of the cooking chamber. See what they can do to help me with the main cooking chamber doors; my shoulders aren't what they used to be. :roll:

 

[Smoke®]

Look out for the big Doberman in the yard, he's a Killer!!!! You got a while to think about your cooker, good luck and safe traveling!

 

[Uncle JJ]

My SF is a bit older than most - a vintage beauty - a collector's item! If I could get a new one today, I'd:
- Have it mounted on a trailer
- Get the cabinet doors
- Have the doors on the warmer facing to the front of the smoker
- Stainless shelf
- Bigger (mine's 54")

Also, Paul made me a pig rack - super cool - get one!

 

[bri134]

I have a pretty decent budget for this, and some of it I know will come down to pricing. In any case both the wife and I are STOKED to be getting in line for one of these... going to be a very long 5-6 months.

Anyone know the default thickness on the firebox? He offers 3/8" and 1/2" options on them... can anyone speak to the necessity (or not) of getting a thicker gauge steel on the firebox than whatever is the default?

 

[Shagdog]

The FB standard is 1/4". 3/8 or 1/2" is an upgrade. The Insulated FB is 1/4 on the inside, 2" insulation, and 1/4" on the outside. Its a pricy upgrade, but when you see what they do, you'll see why its all worth it. I totally recommend the insulated FB, especially being in MD, it will come in handy during the winter.

 

[TedW]

Does anyone own one of these beauties just for personal use? lol.

Or are y'all in the business?

 

[Beentown]

Does anyone own one of these beauties just for personal use? lol.

Or are y'all in the business?

Rec user here.

 

[Shagdog]

Does anyone own one of these beauties just for personal use? lol.

Or are y'all in the business?

Just home use here..

 

[TedW]

Those rigs in your avatar is just for family / friends? You must haul those around to gatherings?