My First Stick Burner

[Geekandproud]

I bought my very first offset smoker recently. A Meadow Creek SQ-36 with the optional charcoal pan and extra food grate. I found it local on Facebook Marketplace for a reasonable price. I didn’t want a COS but I also didn’t want to wait several years to save up enough money to buy an EOS. I am hoping I found a happy medium. Besides, it was tough enough to convince SWMBO that the SQ-36 was a worthwhile investment. I’m still going to save for the EOS but at least now I can get some experience managing a fire.
It had been kept outdoors without a cover. I brought it home and gave it some TLC, cleaned it up and gave it a fresh coat of high heat paint.




I had already sourced wood so I called them up had a ½ cord of oak delivered. I don’t have a lot of experience here but I think it’s only partially seasoned. I had to pick through the pile to find the best pieces before my first cook. I used the top of the firebox like an on-deck circle. The firebox gets hot enough to char the wood, so I’ve got to be careful.




I did a couple of test runs and learned it runs about 20°F hotter than the middle main grate near the firebox and 20°F cooler on the top shelf.
First cook happened this weekend. A 12 lb prime brisket from Sam’s club and 2 pork shoulders. It was also the maiden run for my Fireboard 2 (I have a touch of MCS). I’m enjoying the challenge of managing the fire and the cooker temps.
The pork shoulder near the firebox was good but a little too smokey for my taste. The one in the middle might have been the best one I have ever made. The brisket was really good but there’s room for improvement and I can’t wait to give it another shot.





I really looking forward to using all this extra capacity to cook a whole bunch and share it!

[RonB]

Congrats on the new toy. You may want to rotate meats in the future if you have to have one close to the firebox in the future.

[Geekandproud]

That's a great idea, thanks! After waking up a 3am and managing the fire I didn't even think of rotating the meat.

[kjbarth]

Congratulations! Nice pit!

[FireMan]

Nice pick up & great work at clean up. Then yer drum roll with the cook, kabam! Symbols & everthing! Yer goin to to do terrific with the new baby!
BTW, does it have a name yet?

[Geekandproud]

I've never thought of naming my cookers, I'm much too boring. Out of fairness to the cooker, I'll give it a few more cooks then I'll ask my daughter to help me give 'er a good name.

[FireMan]

Cool! Guarantee she won’t be boring.

[Geekandproud]

Thanks for keeping the pressure off!

[Panhead John]

Great job! Nice looking smoker. Good job on the TLC, at first glance I thought you bought it new. Even better job it looks like on the food, that brisket looks awesome!

[Beefchop]

Congrats! I looked for one of those but the closest Meadow Creek dealer is in Florida. Very cool cooker.

[Geekandproud]

The Meadow Creek headquarters is only a couple hours away from me. It's the only well known manufacturer that I have been able to find in my area. When I do upgrade it'll likely be from Meadow Creek. I've drooled over the websites of the other well known manufacturers, but I'll never convince myself to pay the shipping.

[Beefchop]

Geekandproud That's wonderful! My wife's grandma used to live in New Holland and I stopped by the showroom one time when we were visiting her just to ogle their pig roasters, grills, and smokers.

[tenphases]

Nice score and cleanup!!

[Steve B]

Sweet. Meadow Creek make some really good cookers and at a reasonable price.
Looks like you done good. On the score as well as the cleaning up of that puppy.
Congrats brother. 💪

[Mr. Bones]

A Fine Job, alla round, from what I'm seein'!

Hope ya enjoy burnin some sticks....I certainly do...

[JakeT]

Great cooker and even better looking food!

[Rfhd69]

Nice! What a great cooker!

[CaptainMike]

Magnificent!

[Stuey1515]

Nice job on the resto mate, I can't taste it but by the pics there doesn't look like there is much wrong with that brisket to me, well done

[willxfmr]

WOW! If this is what your first attempt resulted in, I can't wait to see what happens when you know what you are doing!

[grantgallagher]

Seriously, that brisket looks amazing. Im saving the stick burner for after the kids move out, lol, which may be a while. Only 5 and 2 and no way im getting away with managing a live fire every weekend.

Glad you are enjoying your new cooker. Looks great.

[jpietrantone]

Right there with you. We have a 2 year old and no way I'd get away with it either.

[Geekandproud]

Thanks @grantgallager! My kid is a teen and that gives me a little more freedom with my time. Also, its really difficult coming to this forum all the time, seeing all these great cooks, and, equipment and not want try it out. I think AmazingRibs.com is an MCS enabler!