Yeti’s First Grill Is Finally Here, and It’s Probably Not What You Expect

Coolers. Cups. Beach Chairs. Buckets. And bags. Yeti’s tagline is “Built for the Wild” and there is seemingly no category where the brand won’t go.

Now, nearly two decades since its founders, Roy and Ryan Seiders, started their empire of over-engineered outdoor gear, Yeti has at long last developed its first-ever grill.

And just like its lineup of legendary coolers, it’s bold, unconventional and, if you ask the brand, maybe more than a grill.

Yeti

Forged by fire

For starters, Yeti calls the thing a “fire pit.” However, an additional grill kit (sold separately) converts it into a dynamic outdoor-cooking solution, complete with various ways to control and manage a live fire.

These include a rectangular grill grate that sits on the edges of the fire pit and a smaller grate that adjusts up, down or side to side via a pole.

Yeti

Yeti

According to Chris Welch, who oversees gear and equipment at Yeti, cooking was always at the forefront of the design, especially as the brand has honed its culinary chops with the release of a cast-iron skillet and food jars in its popular Rambler series.

That said, a grill of this nature doesn’t work without a proper pit, so Welch and his team focused first and foremost on delivering that in a way that feels “uniquely Yeti,” he says.

Yeti

In typical brand fashion, details make all the difference here. A tripodal base can sit atop uneven surfaces, while a heavy-duty lid protects it from rain, snow and backyard debris. It can also fit standard 16-inch logs, thanks to a 31.3-inch diameter.

As for the structure itself, Welch and his team opted for Corten weathering steel, a material prized in commercial architecture for its exceptional strength and beautiful patina.

However, that thin layer of rust that will inevitably develop on the outside isn’t just for looks. Nor is it a bad thing, Welch says. “It will develop that over time and get even stronger and more protected from the elements.”

Yeti

Yeti

Where there’s smoke

At this point, it’s important to note that the Yeti Fire Pit isn’t really portable, considering the fact that it weighs 70 pounds, and that’s without the grill kit attached.

It’s also not smokeless, a selling point for much of Yeti’s newfound competition on the market. Rest assured, though: that wasn’t an oversight.

Yeti

“You give up some things when you talk about smokeless,” Welch says, alluding to the typical design that looks like a drum and hides the fire behind a sheet of metal.

“Visibility and access to the fire are things that were important to us, especially when we talk about the cooking element to this,” he adds.

“Being able to feel the heat in every seat, embracing that smoke is something we were excited about. Some of the best memories at the campsite are made with that as a factor and we didn’t want to insulate that.”

Availability and pricing

At launch, the Fire Pit (which comes with a lid and fire iron) and Fire Pit Grill Kit are both exclusive to Yeti’s official website and a handful of the brand’s retail locations around the US.

They cost $1,000 and $500, and they are available now while supplies last. According to Welch, it’s a “limited drop” similar to the brand’s Can Crusher from earlier this year.

Yeti

Yeti Fire Pit

• $1,000 at Yeti

Yeti

Yeti Fire Pit Grill Kit

• $500 at Yeti

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