We didn't do any big meals on it yet with the little ones running around we didn't want to tempt them. We warmed pies, raised some dough, and the kids love doing some jiffy pop on the direct surface. I want to do a nice beef stew in the future. It looks like burn season is coming to an end here in Virginia so that's a next season goal.I'm happy to hear it's working out well for you. Have you tried cooking on it yet? A dutch oven on the trivet top makes for easy slow cooking meals and a big kettle on the stove top will be boiling in 15-20 minutes.