The Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is a foldable grill that doubles as a firepit. And I was amazed about it’s functionality. Read the review and watch video!
- Weight: 1701,6 grams (3,7 lbs)
- Packsize: 3 x 27 x 34,5 cm (1.6” x 10,6” x 13.5″)
- Size unfolded: 27,5 height x 27 x width x 34 cm long
- Price: € 63,99 ($ 49,99)
The Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is a foldable grill that doubles as a firepit. I didn’t intend to make a review about this grill. Firstly because it was send to me just for photography for one of the magazines that I occasionally work for. Secondly: It is not very portable for backpackers and cyclists that are doing a multiple-week trip. And that is what I mostly work for, but I know I have a fair amount of followers that travel by car. When I was doing the pictures I got curious and started using it in the garden as a daily grill. I was amazed about it’s functionality so I decided to share this.
Packsize and weight
As mentioned above: the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is a foldable grill that doubles as a firepit. The packsize is 27 x 34,5 cm and with only 3 cm thick ridiculous flat (1.6” x 10,6” x 13.5″). This size is important to me because – purely coincidental – it fits under the driverseat in my car perfectly but also in a space behind the Engel refrigerator. The weight is 1701,6 grams (3,7 lbs) and therefore it is not the lightest grill but for camping still very ok.
Unfolding
The unfolding process of the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is easy. The easiest way is to take the legs and open them like you open a Chinese hand fan. In de same movement you turn the grill 180 degrees from the level position to the up side down position. Now it is unfolded. Turn is upside down again and the grill can be put on the floor. After this all I have to do is place the grill itself.
FIRE
The shape of the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is pretty unorthodox. It is rectangular from above but has a V-shape towards the bottom. The sides are heart shaped and have 4 round cut-outs. To start a fire I just have to build a small heap from birch bark, small twigs, branches etc. You know the drill. After lighting it, the shape of the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit appears to be sort of brilliant. The V-shape and the holes create a nice airflow from underneath and the fire starts almost instantly. And in a barbecue-garden-setting it works the same with charcoal.
Grilling
When the fire is ready all I have to do is place the grill on top. That is why the heartshape is there: nifty! A grip is provided so I don’t burn my hands. The grill itself works fine and I like the placing of the grillwires: lengthwise and not widthwise like I see on so many barbecues. Lengthwise has the advantage that small sausages don’t slip through and also that skewers can be placed easily. I love small skewers with marinated goat meat or köfte. And grilled vegies of course too. When grilling the heat is a bit hard to regulate. It helps turning the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit into or out of the wind direction. A good trick is using some aluminium foil to block the holes on the sides.
The after party
When done with the grilling, the after party can begin. Just remove the grillwire and use the Uco Flatpack as a firepit. It is large enough for a good amount of fire so four to six people can squat around it cosily and enjoy the fire and the warmth. The Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit has a fair amount of height from the ground (115 mm) so that the grass underneath it doesn’t get burned or become brown.
Durability
The Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is made from stainless steel. After using it a dozen times or so it looks wonderfully heated with all those nice rainbow colours in the steel from the heat. The material itself is extremely durable: it doesn’t get out of shape by the heat and the folding mechanism still works like a treat. I accidently hit the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit with my car one time and I dented it, but after some twisting the metal was “new” again. Ok, almost.
Pouch
After the fire has died the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit cools down pretty rapidly. What is left to do is clean it. Water no problem. Stainless steel… Fold it back and put it in the very niche pouch that comes with the grill. The pouch is made from a natural canvas. At least that is all I can think of because when trying to burn a hole in it with a skewer, it only gets a bit brown but no hole is burned in to it. And I tried this because I could see that sparks from the fire did not affect the pouch. One small remark: the pouch could be slightly bigger to ease the process of getting the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit in to it.
Verdict
The Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit is a very well designed and well build foldable grill. The stainless steel is durable, the packsize small and the weight is fine as long as you don’t put it in a backpack for longer trekkings. Using it in a backpack to go to a nice grill spot is fine. Grilling is easy and as a firepit it does the job too. A bonus is the fire-resistant pouch. If I want to nitpick: two small improvements could be a slightly larger pouch and some airflow regulators on the holes on the side. The price of € 63,99 ($ 49,99) is higher than most portable camping grills that I know but this one is the durable hence sustainable choice. I rate the Uco Flatpack Grill and Firepit at 8.6 out of 10.
Information: www.ucogear.com
Want to start a fire without matches? Have a look at the Smith’s Natural Tinder maker and Fire Starter Kit REVIEW
