Planning my Shirley Build - What are your favorite features or extras on your smoker?

[Smithers1945]

Hi Gents.

I made a post the other week asking for input on if I should put a deposit down and get on Shirley's build list or have a smoker built by someone closer to me on the West Coast. I opted to put a deposit down, and am now on Paul's build list. I'm beyond excited.

Since I have time before Paul begins my build, and this will be a custom made smoker, I want to do it right the first time and not have any regrets later down the road that I didn't add something to it that I wish had.

So my question is, for you Shirley owners and non-Shirley owners, what are some of the extras or unique features to your smoker you really like or think are necessary? I'm not asking so I can ask Paul to directly copy anything, but rather as something for inspiration.

Here's what I have so far for my build:
24x42 patio model
Warmer box with both dampers
Raised grate in warmer, ash pan for grilling
Charcoal grate in main chamber with ash pan for the ability to grill in main chamber, and the ability to store the grate on the back of the smoker
Ash pan in firebox
Welded ledge for either a DigiQ or Thermoworks Smoke to sit on
Hip Roof on warmer
Elevated cabinet with 3rd grate
Sausage hangers
May add a stainless shelf

Thanks guys

 

[awscwi]

Sounds alittle like my Shirley!!

 

[sudsandswine]

You suuuuure you won't ever want to take it somewhere?

 

[Smithers1945]

Sounds alittle like my Shirley!!

Very nice! I am also thinking about rotating the warmer too.

 

[Smithers1945]

You suuuuure you won't ever want to take it somewhere?

I have thought long and hard about this, but I don't think a trailer is in the deck of cards. My driveway has zero space for a trailer, storing it on the side of the house isn't an option, and my wife definitely won't let me have a trailer in the backyard lol. I figure if I am going to ever move it, I'll rent a Uhaul trailer.

 

[Jason TQ]

and my wife definitely won't let me have a trailer in the backyard lol.

Sounds rough . Why not? It is not your backyard too?

 

[Smithers1945]

Sounds rough . Why not? It is not your backyard too?

She's actually pretty easy going with most things except when I leave "smoker $hit" all over the back patio. Maybe when we buy our next house with some more property I'll build a shed for my smokers lol.

 

[Jason TQ]

She's actually pretty easy going with most things except when I leave "smoker $hit" all over the back patio. Maybe when we buy our next house with some more property I'll build a shed for my smokers lol.

Oy. Good luck with that.

 

[Hoss]

Cabinet doors and extra rack slides,SS shelf with backsplash in front of cook chamber cabinet doors.

 

[toymaster]

Extra slide racks x 2

 

[THoey1963]

Customized beer bottle opener:

https://www.capcatchers.com/

 

[Pork Floyd]

Perhaps an umbrella holder

 

[Hoss]

Perhaps an umbrella holder

Yes,by all means if cooking area is not covered.Excellent suggestion!

 

[Notorious Q.U.E.]

I’m a fan of the thicker metal fireboxes . To me, it’s worth it especially if you’re waiting so long. I see you’re in LA so it may not matter as much but it matters here

 

[BBQ Freak]

straight back , cabinet doors and stainless shelf .

 

[Westx]

If your getting the shelf to set your el3ctroincs on the add the paper towel holder to it.

 

[Hoss]

If your getting the shelf to set your el3ctroincs on the add the paper towel holder to it.

Mine has that but if the wind is blowing it unrolls the towels.I have to place a rubber and around them.

 

[pjtexas1]

Turn them the other direction.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[Smithers1945]

Customized beer bottle opener:

https://www.capcatchers.com/

Pretty cool. I will probably add one.

 

[Smithers1945]

I’m a fan of the thicker metal fireboxes . To me, it’s worth it especially if you’re waiting so long. I see you’re in LA so it may not matter as much but it matters here

I thought about it, but Paul said it's really not necessary where I live. The coldest it ever gets at my house is in the low 40s in the middle of the night during winter, and then maybe 50 during the day.