Bayou Cookout on the Slot Grill: The Spine, the Tall Stance and 10-Gauge Steel Up Close

Some days on the water are about catching fish. Some days are about goofing off with friends and cooking something good. This was a little of both.

We rode back to our go-to fishing spot, the same Southeast Texas bayou from our alligator post. It's full of bass and catfish, it's got plenty of gators, and with the cypress knees and moss hanging over the water it's one of the prettiest places I know. We set the Full Size Slot Grill up on top of an old overturned jon boat, lit the charcoal, and threw on boneless skinless chicken thighs and some lamb chops we'd picked up at Sam's Club.

Watch it in action on the bayou:

I also wanted to use this trip to point out some design details I don't do a good enough job of showing people. Every one of them is there for a reason, and the reason is simple: I actually use this grill.

Built by the Guy Who Uses It

The Slot Grill didn't start as a business. It started as something I made for myself to cook on. People down here saw it, wanted one, and it grew from there.

That's still how I design it. I start with what it's like to set up, cook on, carry and pack away, then work backward to how it gets made. When something bugs me in the field, it gets fixed in the shop.

The Spine

Look along the bottom of the grill body. That long piece with the two tabs has a 90-degree bend running its whole length. We call it the Spine, because everything else stacks on top of it and it holds the whole grill together. It does four jobs:

• A smooth, safe bottom. When you set the grill down, the underside has a clean, smooth profile. No pieces are free-floating, so nothing can slide up and pinch your hand.
• Rigidity under heat. Steel moves when it gets hot. The Spine locks everything in place so the body can't spread, which keeps stray air from sneaking in through the middle and creating a hot spot.
• An even fire, end to end. Because the body stays tight and true, you get the same profile across the whole grill, from one end to the other.
• It catches stray ash. Any tiny bits of ash that make it through the gap land in the Spine instead of on your boat, deck or tailgate.

Why It Stands Tall

The Slot Grill sits higher than most portable grills, and that's on purpose. You need a real air gap between the fire and whatever the grill is sitting on, whether that's a truck bed, a wooden picnic table or the bottom of a boat.

Earlier versions sat lower, and I had issues with them. So I raised them up. I've cooked on a lot of plastic tables since then without a problem, but that one is at your own risk.

A Two-Piece Top and Grates That Stay Put

The top comes in two pieces, so you can swap one side for a griddle and run grill and griddle at the same time.

The grates also sit down inside the grill body, between those edges on either side. If you tilt a grate up to add charcoal or move the coals around, it can't slide off the back end, and neither can your food.

Bolt Holders on the Legs

Back in August 2025 a customer asked for a dedicated place to keep the bolts, so I added bolt holders to the legs. Look near the bottom of each end piece: that horizontal crossbar in the leg with the hole in the middle is the bolt holder. Any existing hole will work in a pinch, but the dedicated spots keep your bolts clean and easy to find.

10-Gauge Steel

The Full Size grill shown here is cut from 10-gauge steel. If you're not familiar with steel gauges, that's roughly the thickness of two quarters stacked together. It's heavy stuff, built to last through years of hard use.

Chicken Thighs and Lamb Chops

Nothing fancy on the menu, and that's the point. Boneless skinless chicken thighs are about the most forgiving thing you can put on a charcoal grill. They stay juicy, take seasoning well and don't punish you for talking too long between flips. Cook them to an internal temperature of 165°F.

The lamb chops were the treat. Hot fire, quick sear on each side, and pull them around 145°F for medium-rare. Thick steel holds heat well, so you get a good sear without babysitting the fire.

From Grill to Fire Pit

When dinner's done, the Slot Grill doubles as a fire pit. We've tested it thoroughly, so go ahead and let the kids make s'mores and roast marshmallows afterward.

What to Look for in Any Portable Charcoal Grill

There are a lot of folding and flat-pack grills out there now, and plenty of them look alike in photos. Here's what I'd check before buying any of them, mine included:

• Steel thickness. Thin sheet metal warps after a few hot fires. If you can flex a panel with your hands, it won't hold up to a season of real use.
• How it locks together. Hinges and small hardware wear out and get lost. Pieces that slot together and brace each other stay tight.
• What's underneath. Look for a smooth bottom, no loose pieces, and enough height to protect whatever it's sitting on.
• Who makes it. Every Slot Grill is built in-house here in Texas. When you have a question, you're talking to the guy who designed it and cooks on it.

More Days Like This

We didn't set out to do a product shoot. We went fishing, cooked some food and enjoyed the day. The grill just happened to look good doing it. That's how most of our pictures get made, and I'll keep sharing them.