Packing Flat and Storing a Collapsible Grill

How to pack a collapsible charcoal grill flat, keep soot off your gear, and store it between seasons.

The point of a collapsible grill is the flat pack. A little system keeps it clean and quick.

Packing order

1. Cool completely and empty the ash.
2. Lift off grates and griddles.
3. Slide out the V side panel, then pull the end pieces off.
4. Stack: panels together, grates and griddles together, then the whole bundle. Slot Grill's specs page says the grill, grates and griddles pack into one flat bundle.

Keep soot contained

A canvas bag, an old pillowcase or the original box keeps soot off seats and gear. Pack the grill flat against the side of a trunk or camp box.

Long-term storage

• Oil the cooking surfaces first.
• Store indoors or somewhere dry, off a concrete floor that wicks moisture.
• Check it before the season starts; touch up any rust.

The one-minute care habit

Most carbon steel problems come from skipping the last minute of a cook. After the grill cools, scrape the grates, empty the ash, and wipe a whisper-thin coat of oil or Seasoning Balm on the cooking surfaces. Store it dry. That habit is the difference between a grill that darkens into a slick patina and one that shows orange freckles every spring. If freckles do show up, it's not a disaster: see surface rust.

Mistakes new flat pack owners make

1. Too much charcoal. A small firebox gets very hot. Start with half a chimney and add.
2. No cool zone. Without an empty end, a flare-up has nowhere to go.
3. Cooking on black coals. Wait for gray ash.
4. Old ash left in. It blocks airflow; empty it before every cook.
5. Heavy oil when seasoning. Thin coats cure; thick coats turn gummy.
6. Packing it warm. Wait until steel and ash are cold, every time.

Fire safety on any collapsible grill

• Outdoors only. Burning charcoal makes carbon monoxide, which you can't see or smell. Never use it in a garage, tent, camper, vehicle, boat cabin or under a roof or awning.
• Non-combustible, level ground. Soil, gravel, sand, concrete, pavers or a fire-safe pad.
• Clearance. Away from walls, vehicles, tents, overhanging branches and dry grass. Kids and pets kept back.
• Seated tabs. Check every tab is fully in its slot before you add fuel.
• Water and gloves at hand. Hot steel looks exactly like cold steel.
• Leave it alone until cold. Don't move or take apart a lit or warm grill.

Questions people ask