Made In is a brand that’s really popular with chefs and home cooks because of their quality. Traditionally, they focused on cookware, but this year they branched out with the release of a grill. They sent me one to test out, and it quickly became one of my favorites in the backyard.
Handcrafted in Texas
The grill arrived fully assembled, which is nice because I could get right to cooking. The grill has a really solid build to it and that’s reflected in the weight of it too.
What makes this grill special and the quality so good is they hand make them in Fort Worth, TX. It’s always nice to support local businesses, especially when that results in a quality product.
The fact that it’s a high-quality product and that it’s hand made no doubt is reflected in the price. That might put some people off, but it’s not an instance of paying for a brand, it’s because it’s a nice product.
The grill is smaller than your average kettle grill, so it’s a perfect size for tailgating. I like the size of it for cooking at home too because it means it heats up quickly, allowing me to cook even on busy weeknights. That means that I get to grill more, which is always good.
Features and Specs
- Retail price of $499 (check price) for the grill
- About 205 square inches of cooking space
- Light enough to be portable but it’s 35 lbs of steel
- Removeable ash pan makes cleaning easy
- Adjustable charcoal bed height to adjust heat
Design
The design of the Made In Grill is different than other similar sized grills. It can just do more stuff.
The cooking grate is pinned in the back allowing you to push it out of the way when adding charcoal or putting on the griddle accessory. The grate is made from thick steel with a wide grid, which I really liked for searing and cleaning.
Cooking
A unique feature with this grill is the charcoal basket has three heights you can set it at. This lets you adjust the temperature by moving it closer and farther away from the cooking grate. That’s helpful for cooking in general, but especially when you put too much charcoal in, or your charcoal’s dying, and you need just a little more heat.
The only thing I can nitpick with the design is that you can’t move the grill grate out of the way with the charcoal basket in all positions. You have to raise the basket to move the grate out of the way. That adds a step but doesn’t impact your cooking.
Griddle
As I mentioned above, you can also get a griddle accessory to unlock more versatility. The griddle and griddle press are both really high quality, just like the grill overall. Plus, they designed it so it rests in a notch in the grill body, so it feels sturdy.
It’s perfect for cooking smash burgers or even breakfast if you’re camping. It can get really hot, and it holds heat well because of the thickness.
Cleaning
Cleaning is a breeze on the Made In Grill. The grid on the cooking grate is wide with square edges, so you can easily scrape off the grate. On the ash side of things, there’s a removeable ash pan. You just take it out, dump it in the trash, and you’re done.
Availability
The toughest part of this great little grill is that it’s also really hard to get. People love Made In products, so they can sell out quickly when they’re released.
As I’ve been using the grill the past few months, I’ve watched the grill go out of stock and stay that way. You can put your name on a waitlist, which might be the only way to get your hands on it.
Conclusion
The build quality and design of this grill make it one of my favorites to cook on. It’s quick to get going and can do things other comparable grills can’t. The price might put it out of reach for some, but it’s worth it for the years of grilling it’s sure to provide.