We’ve always felt that outdoor cookware and tools should be just as sophisticated, versatile, and hard-wearing as any other cookware product. This philosophy is precisely why we’ve devoted countless hours to developing top-of-the-line pieces like our carbon steel Griddle, Griddle Stand, and Grill Frying Pan—and, now, to our brand new portable Grill.
One of the (many) reasons we’re so proud of this powerful, compact little grill is its versatility, allowing you to adjust the heat level, cooking surface, and even the fuel source to your liking. To help you get the most out of your grilling experience, here’s your detailed, step-by-step guide to using the Made In Grill. From set-up to cleaning, this is everything you’ll need to know for a seamless on-the-go grilling experience.
What's Included with the Made In Grill
- Lightweight carbon steel and stainless steel frame
- Retractable stainless steel grate and key
- Adjustable firebed for better heat control
- Removable stainless steel ashbox for easy cleanup
- Hollow Stay Cool handles with removable silicone sleeves
Setting Up Your Grill
Follow along with the video above, or read on for a step-by-step guide to setting your Grill up for the first time.
- Position the Grill on a level, heat-safe surface. If using a surface like a table or tailgate, we recommend using our silicone Grill Mat to keep the Grill steady and to protect the surface from heat damage.
- Add your chosen fuel to the grill box, spreading it consistently across the surface or piling it on one side for dual heat zone cooking. You can also use a chimney starter if you prefer. We recommend adding a natural fire starter beneath a pyramid of charcoal, then adding a few pieces of hardwood for extra flavor.
- Ignite the fuel and wait until the coals fully ashed over—i.e., turned white or gray.
- Carefully position the firebed using the included stainless steel key. Place the bed on the lowest level for direct-heat searing or on the highest level for lower, indirect cooking, using the locking notches to lock it into place. Use a grill-safe glove for added protection.
- To swap out the grate with our Carbon Steel Griddle, use the key to flip the grate on its end and slide it down against the back inner wall of the Grill. Position the Griddle on top and secure it in place.
Choosing Your Fuel: Charcoal, Hardwood, or Binchotan
The Grill is compatible with three different fuel types: charcoal, hardwood, and binchotan. Charcoal allows you to cook using a wider range of temperatures than with a gas grill, from low and slow (perfect for brisket and ribs) to fast and hot (for burgers and steaks). Lump or briquette charcoal are the standard, as well as the most widely available and affordable, varieties of charcoal, though you can also opt for binchotan, a type of Japanese hardwood lump charcoal known for providing a cleaner, totally smoke-free burn. Hardwoods like apple or hickory are excellent for imparting a nuanced smoky flavor to meat and seafood.
To get your Grill started, you can either use a chimney starter or build a bed of charcoals or hardwood in the grill box. For best results and optimal flavor, we recommend building a small pyramid out of charcoal, placing a natural fire starter and a few pieces of hardwood underneath it. Once you’ve lit the coals, allow them to ash over fully (they’ll turn completely white or gray). For consistent heat across the surface of your grill, use a pair of grill tongs to spread the coals evenly across the bottom of the grill box. You can also create dual heat zones by piling all of the coals up on one side of the box.
No matter what kind of fuel you opt for, make sure to only use the Grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area at a safe distance from children or animals. Never grill indoors or in any kind of enclosed space.
Cooking with the Made In Grill
Using the Stainless Steel Grate
The Grill’s built-in stainless steel grate is expertly designed for grilling over direct heat. Carefully-spaced slots keep your food from falling into the flames while adding the perfect touch of smoky flavor, making it ideal for grilling burgers, steaks, mushrooms, and more.
The excellent heat circulation of stainless steel also helps to ensure evenly cooked, charred (but not burnt) proteins, and is relatively non stick when properly oiled and preheated. Make sure to carefully monitor your Grill, adjusting the heat as necessary and using tongs or a spatula to flip and move food for even cooking.
Using the Carbon Steel Griddle
Whether you’re cooking up smash burgers for a tailgate party or eggs and pancakes for a campfire breakfast, it’s hard to go wrong with a carbon steel griddle. The Grill is designed to easily accommodate our full-sized Griddle, and can easily be switched out with the built-in stainless steel grate.
Whereas grilling directly on the Grate is ideal for adding a charred, smoky flavor to proteins and vegetables, carbon steel’s stellar heat retention and circulation helps create an almost caramelized, golden-brown crust—plus, the flat surface prevents smaller morsels or drops of batter from falling into the flames.
Managing Heat and Airflow
One of the coolest (in our opinions) features about the Grill is that you can raise or lower the firebed, giving you the flexibility to cook directly over the flames for a quick, smoky sear, or to use indirect heat for a lower, slower burn.
As we mentioned earlier, you can also create dual heat zones by piling most or all of your charcoal or wood on one side of the firebed. This allows you to quickly sear protein and veggies using direct high heat, then move them to the cooler side to finish cooking using indirect heat. You can also use the cooler zone to keep part of your meal warm while you finish the other components.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Proper cleaning and routine maintenance are crucial for a successful—and safe—grilling experience.
Cleaning Interior Firebox
First, make sure that your grill is FULLY cooled down before touching it, as carbon steel and stainless steel can both get screaming hot. Once it’s cool and the coals have been fully extinguished, carefully pull out the ashbox and either dump out the ashes or carefully vacuum them out. Since the interior cookbox is coated with naturally non stick carbon steel, you can simply give it a quick spray with a high-pressure hose, adding a small amount of dish soap if you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn mess. Make sure to dry thoroughly.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Grate
To clean the stainless steel grate, you can use a carbon steel scrubber, chain mail, or bristle scrubber (no steel wool, please!) to remove any stuck-on bits of food or grease. Depending on how messy the grate is, you may not need to do much more—though you can use a mild dish soap and water to remove any remaining residue. As always when washing stainless steel cookware, make sure to dry the grate thoroughly before storing.
Cleaning Grill Outer Shell
To clean the outer shell (which can—and will—get grimy from use!), use a cleaner with a neutral pH (between 6 and 8) such as a gentle dish soap, Bar Keepers Friend, or a Magic Eraser. Make sure to first test your cleaner out on a small patch to ensure that it’s not too abrasive, and only use a lightly abrasive sponge or scrubber to remove stuck-on food or burnt grease.
How to Store the Grill
Once your grill is clean, it’s best to store it somewhere dry—like a garage—where it won’t be exposed to the elements, preferably covered with the Grill Cover for added peace of mind. Make sure to periodically re-season the carbon steel interior as well: just like seasoning a carbon steel frying pan, proper seasoning is crucial to preventing rust and other damage (and makes it way easier to clean).
Pro Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Grill
The Grill’s adjustable firebed and retractable grate allow you to whip up multi-course, multi-component meals on the go—something you probably can’t say about your average camping grill. Try grilling potatoes on the retractable grate for a smoky side dish, then swapping it out to fry up smash burgers and toast buns on your Griddle.
To maximize your grilling experience whether grilling on the go or in your backyard, we recommend having a Grill Press (crucial for flawless smash burgers); meat thermometer (for gauging the doneness on your steak or chicken breast); and a flexible spatula for flipping, tossing, and transferring food from grill to serving dish.
Ready to Grill?
- Made In Grill
- Grill + Griddle + Press + Tools
- $839$956Save $117(12% off)
This innovative, versatile grill truly combines the best of both worlds. Not only is it incredibly portable, with a compact, lightweight design and comfortable Stay Cool handles, but it also delivers professional-quality performance and results. Your summer grilling game just got way more exciting thanks to the Made In Grill.
