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My First Stick Burner

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    My First Stick Burner

    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.

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    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.

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    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.

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    I really looking forward to using all this extra capacity to cook a whole bunch and share it!
    Last edited by Geekandproud; March 30, 2021, 05:45 PM.

    #2
    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.

    Comment


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

    #3
    Congratulations! Nice pit!

    Comment


      #4
      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?

      Comment


      • Geekandproud
        Geekandproud commented
        Editing a comment
        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
        FireMan commented
        Editing a comment
        Cool! Guarantee she won’t be boring.

      • Geekandproud
        Geekandproud commented
        Editing a comment
        Thanks for keeping the pressure off!

      #5
      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!

      Comment


        #6
        Congrats! I looked for one of those but the closest Meadow Creek dealer is in Florida. Very cool cooker.

        Comment


        • Geekandproud
          Geekandproud commented
          Editing a comment
          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
          Beefchop commented
          Editing a comment
          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.

        #7
        Nice score and cleanup!!

        Comment


          #8
          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. 💪

          Comment


            #9
            A Fine Job, alla round, from what I'm seein'!

            Hope ya enjoy burnin some sticks....I certainly do...
            Last edited by Mr. Bones; March 30, 2021, 08:55 PM.

            Comment


              #10
              Great cooker and even better looking food!

              Comment


                #11
                Nice! What a great cooker!

                Comment


                  #12
                  Magnificent!

                  Comment


                    #13
                    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

                    Comment


                      #14
                      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!

                      Comment


                        #15
                        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.

                        Comment


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

                        • Geekandproud
                          Geekandproud commented
                          Editing a comment
                          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!

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