Hello from NW Oregon,
The Lang, Shirly you jest.
Happy Grilling to you.
Ha! I see what you did there! The Lang and the Shirley are highly respected smoker cookers. I first noticed Langs on BBQ Pitmasters show. After that, whenever the topic of offsets came up in BBQ forms I would see their name. Especially reverse offsets. I went to a BBQ fest in Washington DC, and saw several folks with Langs. As I began doing more research, another name popped up (Shirley Fabrication). About a year ago I got really serious about owning a reverse offset, and started saving and budget planning. I was leaning towards a Shirley, as I am very impressed with the craftsmanship of their cookers, but now that I am in a position to buy I cannot get ahold of them to place an order. What is more they seem to have an impossibly long wait queue.
When I called Lang I got a quote same day, and went into their queue that day. And their build queue is much more reasonable. I can't get anyone from Shirley to return an email, let alone someone to answer the phone when I call. That is what swung me back in the direction of the Lang. Now I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about ownership and how to care for one so that I get the most life from the investment dollars I'm going to spend on one.
If'n ya don't mind my sayin so, yer most likely quite improbable to achieve Pitmasterdom in >30 daze, so I'd recommend joinin as a full Member.Stick round, might could be ya pick up a few tips, Amigo...
If'n times an circumstances is extraordinary tough, nowabouts, I'd happily float ya a 0% loan to join; we kin figger th rest out, on down th line, Brother!
Ha! The trail was more a try before you buy sort of thing. They offered and I accepted. I have 4 webers: 22" kettle, a smokey Joe, WSM 22" and a Genesis Gasser. The gasser I upgraded with all SS bars and grills. The kettle I run a SlowNSear and Vortex. On the WSM I put gasket for the lid, upgraded to a SS door, and run a FireDial deflator. Might the Vortex plate for the WSM at some point.
MrMorgan something my dad had his welders put together as customer gifts in his shop back in the 1980's. It's made from 304 stainless, and will outlast me. Not the best design though, but its what I learned to smoke on, and it doubles as a large charcoal grill. 24x36 cooking grate holds a few butts or racks of ribs when I need more capacity than my kettle or kamado have.
If not cooking outdoors, I am cooking on the stovetop with my 14" carbon steel wok, 12" CI skillet, or in the oven with my two Lodge CI pizza pans, or two dutch ovens. I've also got a nifty Lodge carbon steel grill pan that rocks for veggies outdoors.
Welcome to the Pit from Alabama! Great options with Lang and Shirley. One thing I hear about Shirley is that their waiting list is usually really long - not sure how soon you plan a purchase. I hear and see great things about both.
MrMorgan yeah - the US Space and Rocket Center is pretty awesome. I've not been there in quite a few years, but went many times while my kids were growing up. Maybe I'll make it back out there once we are past COVID.
Personally, my wish list of cookers I don't have room for in the back yard includes a Lang 48" patio model - the deluxe one with the smoke box if I was really wanting to spend some cash. Maybe even one with a trailer hitch...
Yep! The 48†deluxe is the one I ordered. I currently have it set for a wagon frame but I may change it to trailer. I keep going back and forth between the two options!
MrMorgan the trailer does add a lot of length to the setup, so while portability to other places might be nice, its not as ideal if you just want to put it on your patio and keep it there. I suppose it all depends on your backyard setup. For me, I can't back a truck past the gate, so would have to manhandle it the rest of the way on the trailer setup, with a trailer dolly or something.
LSG Adjustable Grill/Smoker, MAK Pellet Grill, Large BGE with Several Attachments from the Ceramic Grill Store, Weber Genesis E335 Gasser, Cast Iron Pans & Griddle, Grill Grates, Mostly Thermoworks Thermometers, Anova SV Stick, BBQ Guru Controller and Fan
> Weber Genesis EP-330
> Grilla Grills Original Grilla (OG) pellet smoker with Alpha/Connect
> Grilla Grills Pellet Pizza Oven
> Pit Barrel Cooker (gone to a new home)
> WeberQ 2000 (on "loan" to a relative (I'll never see it again))
> Old Smokey Electric (for chickens mostly - when it's too nasty out
to fiddle with a more capable cooker)
> Luhr Jensen Little Chief Electric - Top Loader circa 1990 (smoked fish & jerky)
> Thermoworks Smoke
> 3 Thermoworks Chef Alarms
> Thermoworks Thermapen One
> Thermoworks Thermapen Classic
> Thermoworks Thermopop
> Thermoworks Square DOT
> Thermoworks IR-GUN-S
> Joule Turbo Sous Vide Circulator
> Searzall torch
> BBQ Guru Rib Ring
> WÜSTHOF, Dalstrong, and Buck knives
> Paprika App on Mac and iOS
Stick round, might could be ya pick up a few tips, Amigo... 
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