HEARTH & HOME - The Voice of the Hearth, Barbeque and Patio Industries (Page 52)

Grill As Art

Is it a backyard sculpture or a barbecue? Today some grills are both combining high-performance cooking capability with cutting-edge, artistic design.  Unike the bigger-is-better approach to traditional grills, modern grills have a striking minimalism in their designs, are usually compact and offer sleek lines streamlined styling and a distinctive silhouette.

The list of companies making contemporary grills is not large, but it's expanding as manufacturers recognize the potential marketing for these products. Designed to be a socal hub where everyone can gather 'round, the round Evo grill with a solid cooking surface has no open flame to create smoke and no lid to block the view, so guests tend to congregate and share in the cooking experience, according to Bob Shingler, company president. In fact, these qualities, along with its contemporary styling, have attracted the attention of chefs at what Shingler calls the "hippest of hip hotels," who use it on the veranda or at poolside to cook for guests. Visitors to these posh, art deco-style hotels, like the Delano in Miami's South Beach, see the Evo there and want to have the look and recreate the social experience at home," Shingler explains.

So, who's buying these new contemporary grills? According to Shingler, "The buyer of an Evo grill is a discriminating consumer who wants something new that not everyone has." The grill has found a following among vegetarians looking for a way to cook outdoors. "The solid surface makes it ideal for grilling vegetables and we market to that group."