Well, I have a stumps type clone that I built and although there are a lot of differences between mine, and the stumps/superior cookers, they basically work the same. Here are some items I can tell you about mine:
I don't leave mine unattended for longer than 4 hours, so I hardly ever fill my chute up.
Due to the placement of my chute and ashbox, I tend to use more fuel than a Stumps cooker does, but my cook chamber is quite a bit bigger as well (48X30X24).
I am using a heat deflector that is made of 1/4" steel and has 3 sides, with holes cut into the sides and open on the end, I have a drip pan that sits above that. I have one hot spot in the very back corner on the chute side, but to be honest, I think I've fixed that hot spot, so I may not have it anymore, regardless, it was very small.
I don't have a problem cooking on my lowest shelf, but keep in mind that my chute/ashbox is over 14" away from the entry into the cook chamber, so I don't have fire that licks up into the cook chamber. I have 8 racks in my cooker, but generally only use 5 or 6, depending on what I'm cooking.
I have an 8" chute, so I've never had a bridge created. I figured the size of the chute is the reason why.
I don't use a stoker, and haven't had the need for one. I can keep it between 225-235 for 4 hours, and that's all I've needed since I'm sure to check it at least every 4 hours, even for long cooks.
I have a gas assist to heat up the cook chamber, as a cold chamber is what causes the long time to get to temp....I don't have that problem now.
It is a very moist cooking environment, very different from my offset. Not better or worse, just different
The biggest load I've had on it so far is 60# of pork butts, 7 racks of ribs, 20# of bologna, and a few fatties, ABT's and chicken leg quarter thrown in for good measure. I still had room left, and didn't have a problem with temp recovery from opening/closing the door every 30-45 minutes......but it was fairly warm outside as well.
Well.....that's about all I've got to say about it. I like it a lot, but not more than my offset....I love them equally
(just in case they are reading this)
I plan to add a stickburner firebox option to my cabinet cook (aka mr. potatohead) in the future, but I got bigger fish to fry right now.