There is a simple rule for gear that rides in a side-by-side: it needs to earn the space it takes up.
We carry recovery gear because eventually somebody gets stuck. We carry a cooler because Texas heat does not negotiate. We carry tools because trails shake things loose. And more often than not, we carry a Slot Grill because somewhere between the first mud hole and the last stop, the group is going to get hungry.
Good outdoor gear should fit the way you actually spend the day
Our rides are not photo shoots. Machines get muddy. Plans change. Sometimes the stop is beside the water. Sometimes it is a camp in the woods. Sometimes it is nothing more than a place with enough room to park and a view good enough to keep everybody there for a while.
That is why we like simple equipment. The Slot Grill is built around slotted steel parts and a straightforward charcoal cooking setup. There is no need to turn a trail stop into a construction project. When it is time to cook, you want to get to the fire and the food.
A little wear is part of the story
Carbon steel is not stainless steel, and we do not pretend it is. Heat changes the surface. Smoke leaves its mark. A grill that actually gets used outdoors is going to look different from one that lives under showroom lights.
That is not a problem if you take care of it. Keep it dry between trips, clean off food residue, and maintain a light protective seasoning on bare carbon steel. The result is a grill that can keep going back to the same places you do.
Then there is the part that really matters
You can talk about outdoor gear all day, but sooner or later somebody has to put meat on it.
Steaks over charcoal are one of the easiest reasons to stop. Get the coals hot, let the grate come up to temperature, season the meat, and listen for that first hard sizzle. A good crust, a little smoke, and enough patience to let the meat rest will beat a lot of complicated recipes.
Our basic side-by-side cooking checklist
- Charcoal and a reliable way to light it
- Cooler with food packed cold and sealed
- Tongs, thermometer, knife, and a small cutting board
- Foil, paper towels, water, and trash bags
- A stable, heat-safe place to cook with plenty of clearance
- Enough food for the person who said they “weren't that hungry”
That last one matters more than you think.
For us, the grill is not the destination. The woods, the water, the machines, and the people are the reason we went out. The grill just makes it easier to stay longer.
And that might be the best way to explain Slot Grill. It is not about standing in the backyard wishing you were somewhere else. It is about taking a real charcoal cookout with you when you go.
If that sounds like your kind of weekend, see the Full Size Slot Grill here.