Shirley is coming home!

[speed2486]

Well, after a long two day drive to Tuscaloosa from Milwaukee I finally picked up my Shirley today. When I was pulling up, the smoker was sitting outside in all its glory ready to go. This thing is huge! It is truly a work of art, and I'm a little miffed that it is going to get rained on as there is a storm moving in, but what can you do. I decided to spend the night in Tuscaloosa due to the storm moving in....: I'll just extend my trip by one day. I guess I'll have to set up a Photo Bucket account and figure out how to post pictures from my iPhone now. Tyler did a couple of 'surprise' design changes that turned out super! The other guys in the shop didn't even know about them. Paul was working at the refinery today, but I got to meet his wife. She greeted me when I pulled up and we were able to chat a bit while waiting for Tyler. I had intended to try to get some pics of other builds in progress, but the guys were super busy trying to get things moved around due to the storm coming in, so I didn't want to get in their way. I'll get pics posted as soon as I figure it out.

[cowgirl]

That's great, congrats! Looking forward to your pics.

[BBQ Freak]

can not wait , love seeing the new pits .

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpstgzukxtr.jpeg

Let's see if this works?

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvlmxrut8.jpeg

[Jason TQ]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsvlmxrut8.jpeg

So badass!!

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsahs3khm2.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsv6jkrjmq.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsko9yo9op.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsu0vugjec.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpszoigh48p.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsytgag7sw.jpeg

[speed2486]

http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii547/speed2486Speed2486/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zpsfkwbvojm.jpeg

[speed2486]

Sorry about all the single pic posts.... I haven't figured out how to do multiples yet.

[PatAttack]

Beautiful piece of machinery!

[Norm]

Nice!

[deepsouth]

Kick ass.

[Bigr314]

Congrats. Thats a fine looking cooker.

[cowgirl]

Beautiful!!
The only cooker a person would ever need. Just awesome! Congrats!

[speed2486]

Thanks all. I don't think it has completely sunk in yet. It's parked where I can see it out my hotel room window and I find myself staring out there constantly. I'm going to try to get it seasoned one night after work this week so I can do the inaugural cook on Saturday.

[Harbormaster]

This Wisconsin boy is envious, that's for sure. Would love to have a Shirley, and yours is beautiful.

[cfspence]

Tell us about the custom options and modifications.

[pjtexas1]

Congrats and welcome to the Shirley family. It rained on us nearly the whole way back to texas. Other than some water in the cooker it was fine. What size did you get? I like the 4 racks!

[speed2486]

Tell us about the custom options and modifications.

Okay.... Elevated cook chamber with 4 shelves, elevated warmer with 4 shelves, 7 rack positions charcoal pan and searing station, ash pan and searing station in firebox, hip roof on warmer (should have done hip on main chamber too.... Simply because it looks cool), griddle for the flush mounted burners (notice the under trailer rails/lock that Tyler fabbed so I can store it out of the way), instead of the utensil drawer there is a flip down door which makes for easier access, umbrella holders on each corner of the cooker, flip down side shelf on warmer with new modified shelf stop/support, two probe ports in main chamber, one probe port in warmer. Diamond plate doors would be bad ass on his cooker. I thought I had spec'd them out and was surprised they weren't on there. I went back and checked my build sheet that I submitted and sure enough they were not spec'd out. I must have had them on one of my earlier build sheets and missed carrying it over to the final. In either case, it still looks awesome and I am completely happy with the build thus far.

[Doog]

That thing is awesome!!

[speed2486]

Congrats and welcome to the Shirley family. It rained on us nearly the whole way back to texas. Other than some water in the cooker it was fine. What size did you get? I like the 4 racks!

I ended up going 24 x 75. I almost went with a 30".... But after seeing this in person, I'm good with what I chose.

[speed2486]

That thing is awesome!!

Thanks Doog!

[lwdbo1]

Congrats !! That puppy is Bad Ass !!! Its going to be a LONG 4 weeks for me till i pick mine up.

[V1VRV2]

Beautiful smoker!

[CT-Mike]

Awesome cooker, congrats. I have to wait until March for mine.

[Big George's BBQ]

Congrats and Enjoy Thats beautiful

[lwdbo1]

I ended up going 24 x 75. I almost went with a 30".... But after seeing this in person, I'm good with what I chose.

Im glad you said that as i was thinking the same about getting the 30"

[speed2486]

Im glad you said that as i was thinking the same about getting the 30"


Really, the only reason I was going to go 30" was to do whole hogs butterflied on their back. After speaking with a number of others it sounds like I can get decent results going racer style. And I can always do a smaller hog (or maybe two) butterflied if I want to.

[DjPorkchop]

Nice! I love the table top option instead of expanded metal. Another quality job by Shirley and the boys!

[pjtexas1]

I ended up going 24 x 75. I almost went with a 30".... But after seeing this in person, I'm good with what I chose.

30 would have been just showing off :pound:

[speed2486]

Nice! I love the table top option instead of expanded metal. Another quality job by Shirley and the boys!

Yeah... Stainless shelf is definitely the way to go.

[speed2486]

30 would have been just showing off :pound:

I agree Paul! But for once in my life I'd be able to say "mine's bigger than yours!"

[lwdbo1]

Is that an insulated fb ?

[speed2486]

Is that an insulated fb ?


Yes. Insulated firebox.

[lwdbo1]

Yes. Insulated firebox.

4' or 5'? im going with the modified

[oifmarine2003]

Awesome! I hope to see it sometime!! Cedarburg is close!

[RW34]

Okay.... Elevated cook chamber with 4 shelves, elevated warmer with 4 shelves, 7 rack positions charcoal pan and searing station, ash pan and searing station in firebox, hip roof on warmer (should have done hip on main chamber too.... Simply because it looks cool), griddle for the flush mounted burners (notice the under trailer rails/lock that Tyler fabbed so I can store it out of the way), instead of the utensil drawer there is a flip down door which makes for easier access, umbrella holders on each corner of the cooker, flip down side shelf on warmer with new modified shelf stop/support, two probe ports in main chamber, one probe port in warmer. Diamond plate doors would be bad ass on his cooker. I thought I had spec'd them out and was surprised they weren't on there. I went back and checked my build sheet that I submitted and sure enough they were not spec'd out. I must have had them on one of my earlier build sheets and missed carrying it over to the final. In either case, it still looks awesome and I am completely happy with the build thus far.


Can you please explain what the elevated cook chamber is?

[PaPaQ]

Very nice Smoker! Congrats!!

[Tango Joe]

Awesome, congratulations on the new cooking machine & welcome to the Shirley family!!

[pjtexas1]

Can you please explain what the elevated cook chamber is?

Taller cook chamber (main cook chamber). Usually done to allow room for more than the standard 2 cooking grates. In this case 4 grates. This allows you to have the capacity of a very large 30x## cooker in a 24×## cooker. Saves a lot of $$$.

[Shagdog]

That is one sweet rig! Welcome to the family! I think that's the 5th or 6th Shirley in the area. We should have a SF party, we could cook enough to feed the entire Milwaukee area.

[Ayvatr]

Looks Great! I'm sure you can't wait to play with the new toy and dial it in!
Could I trouble you for the length and total height when you get a chance. I may need to modify my cooking shed area for mine and your cooker will be slightly longer than the one I have on order.

[pjtexas1]

Looks Great! I'm sure you can't wait to play with the new toy and dial it in!
Could I trouble you for the length and total height when you get a chance. I may need to modify my cooking shed area for mine and your cooker will be slightly longer than the one I have on order.

the normal height is just enough to clear a standard garage door...78-80".

[Ayvatr]

Really, the only reason I was going to go 30" was to do whole hogs butterflied on their back. After speaking with a number of others it sounds like I can get decent results going racer style. And I can always do a smaller hog (or maybe two) butterflied if I want to.

This looks better to me than hinged and butterflied. I have cooked them both ways and racing style is the crowd pleaser.

[OferL]

:shocked:WOW:shocked:

[Ayvatr]

I would also stuff the cavity with sauer kraut and sausage for an added bonus!

[Ayvatr]

the normal height is just enough to clear a standard garage door...78-80".

It's just going to be to darn close so the "Boss" has approved the new larger shed roof to accommodate the cooker and additional food serving area.
You can see what I have now if the pic's uploaded.

[DanB]

Yours is bigger then mine:grin: WElcome to the family ..Enjoy it!!
DanB

[pjtexas1]

It's just going to be to darn close so the "Boss" has approved the new larger shed roof to accommodate the cooker and additional food serving area.
You can see what I have now if the pic's uploaded.

I had this 12x35 slab poured for a 12x21 garage with garage doors on both ends. Will roll it out to cook. Should be big enough to fit all my cookers and supplies.
130155

[fxdlryan]

That's a beautiful rig !

[Ayvatr]

I had this 12x35 slab poured for a 12x21 garage with garage doors on both ends. Will roll it out to cook. Should be big enough to fit all my cookers and supplies.
130155

I will no doubt need to have my concrete guy stop by soon so I can give him the plans$$$$$

[Ayvatr]

Is the insulated firebox door still made like the chamber?

[pjtexas1]

Is the insulated firebox door still made like the chamber?

Mine is the old style insulated door. The new insulated fireboxes have a 3/4" plate door.

[BillN]

She is a real beauty, congratulations.

[Ayvatr]

I had this 12x35 slab poured for a 12x21 garage with garage doors on both ends. Will roll it out to cook. Should be big enough to fit all my cookers and supplies.
130155

Mine is the old style insulated door. The new insulated fireboxes have a 3/4" plate door.

I am considering the IFB however, please convince me that it is worth the extra money. I have repainted my Lang 48 FB at least 5 times since new and it's .25 steel and I am concerned about longevity. I did line the box with fire brick which I will do with my SF to protect the floor of e FB from heat exposure and ash corrosion. A cheap insurance policy!

[RW34]

Taller cook chamber (main cook chamber). Usually done to allow room for more than the standard 2 cooking grates. In this case 4 grates. This allows you to have the capacity of a very large 30x## cooker in a 24×## cooker. Saves a lot of $$$.

Thanks Paul for the explanation.

[Ewok_jr]

Pictures look great and the modifications sound amazing. Well done sir!

[MisterChrister]

That is an absolutely stunning cooker, congratulations! I'll probably never be able to get a SF, but I'm happy to live vicariously through y'all lucky farkers!

[sylntghost]

That is a great looking cooking machine. Welcome to the Shirley family. What is your rack spacing in your main chamber? I do love the 4 racks in the main chamber.

[speed2486]

4' or 5'? im going with the modified

I went with the 5 foot trailer. Figured I'd get a little extra room and more stability. I also upgraded to 15" load range D tires

[speed2486]

Awesome! I hope to see it sometime!! Cedarburg is close!

I think we can arrange a meet up Chris! You could school me on the finer points of Shirley cooking!

[speed2486]

That is one sweet rig! Welcome to the family! I think that's the 5th or 6th Shirley in the area. We should have a SF party, we could cook enough to feed the entire Milwaukee area.

Thanks Matt! Maybe we'll build up enough to have a local bash!

[speed2486]

Looks Great! I'm sure you can't wait to play with the new toy and dial it in!
Could I trouble you for the length and total height when you get a chance. I may need to modify my cooking shed area for mine and your cooker will be slightly longer than the one I have on order.

I'll get the dimensions for you. No problem.

[speed2486]

This looks better to me than hinged and butterflied. I have cooked them both ways and racing style is the crowd pleaser.

That looks great to me!

[speed2486]

It's just going to be to darn close so the "Boss" has approved the new larger shed roof to accommodate the cooker and additional food serving area.
You can see what I have now if the pic's uploaded.

I think I may need your boss to talk to my boss!

[speed2486]

Is the insulated firebox door still made like the chamber?

It's a full plate door - 3/4", I think? All I know is it is heavy!

[speed2486]

Pictures look great and the modifications sound amazing. Well done sir!


Thanks Ewok. Since you're so close you may have to come over to 'help' sons day!

[speed2486]

That is a great looking cooking machine. Welcome to the Shirley family. What is your rack spacing in your main chamber? I do love the 4 racks in the main chamber.

The rack spacing is about 5" from the top of the angle iron on one shelf, to the bottom of the angle on the shelf above it. It's about 6 1/2" from top of rack to top of rack.

[thollaway]

Awesome!!! Looks Great!!!

[speed2486]

Looks Great! I'm sure you can't wait to play with the new toy and dial it in!
Could I trouble you for the length and total height when you get a chance. I may need to modify my cooking shed area for mine and your cooker will be slightly longer than the one I have on order.


Here are the measurements as I took them:

Height - 81" from ground to top of stack

Length - 168" from end of firebox handle(s) to the end of the tongue. Without the tongue attached it is 150"

Width - While the trailer frame itself is 60", it is 82" from tire to tire.

[JimmyR1Rider]

Awesome cooker. Congrats!!!

[Ayvatr]

Here are the measurements as I took them:

Height - 81" from ground to top of stack

Length - 168" from end of firebox handle(s) to the end of the tongue. Without the tongue attached it is 150"

Width - While the trailer frame itself is 60", it is 82" from tire to tire.

Thanks. I will mark up my slab to see how much more room I will need under my shed for the rebuild. The roof will most certainly need to be raised with the stack height.

[angryelfFan]

Dude!! Awesome!! Congrats!

[BBQDaddio]

:clap: Beautiful Smoker.