Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program If you're looking for a cheap inexpensive small portable grill there are better choices. Weber makes several models cheaper than this. All in basic black. If looks matter, however, if you want your guests to comment about how nice your grill is, or you just like bright colors, the Bodum Fyrkat is about as about as cute as you're going to get.
I don't mean to dismiss appearance this is a nice looking grill. But it is more expensive and I honestly couldn't see why other than its unusual appearance.
The Fyrcat is slightly smaller and most definitely lighter than Weber grills in the same range. Lighter is probably better when looking at portability. The lid latches are tight and secure and allow you to carry the grill with charcoal ready to go inside.
The negative comments about the heat vents near the handle seem a bit over reactionary. Your hand is not directly exposed to the air escaping as the lower arm of the handle is directly above the vent. It's a minimal risk given that users should have protective mitts on hand nearby in the first place. The design also has a plus side as you turn the handle to close and open the vents. Not a major selling point, but it is easier on this grill than on the Weber Smokey Joe grills.
If you're on a tight budget this probably isn't the grill for you. If you're looking for something that's both practical and attractive, that shows itself off a little, this is a nice grill to own.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program
The Bodum Picnic Grill is a good looking grill that you can take with you on your family outings. It is big enough for a 4 or 5 hamburgers or steaks but small enough to easily fit in the trunk of your car.
A few other points
As others have mentioned the grills vent is right by the handle. You do need to be careful
With the locks on the side the grill can be moved without worrying about everything dumping out.
The grill is very colorful if you like colorful grills you are in luck!
Lightweight probably weighs less than 3lbs
Seems to have solid construction it certainly does not feel flimsy
Designed to allow even charcoal distribution while provide a nice convection like effect
At the list price the grill does not seem like much of a value. You may want to investigate to see if you can find less expensive options.
Final Verdict I am impressed with the grill, but you may be able to find a less expensive options
4 Stars
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Bodum Frykat 13.4 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is a handy little grill for those who don't have the space for a larger grill, or who want a portable grill you can take along just about anywhere. It's small enough to take along and use wherever, but large enough to cook a fair amount at a time. This is more for the family going on a picnic or cooking a couple burgers and hot dogs quickly in the back yard or on the deck, not for hosting a large party. (It is big enough to cook a couple steaks too)
I have the orange model, which my little girl really likes because she likes orange. However, it does come in green, yellow, black, blue and off-white. Personally, I'd probably go with the black model if it was just me, but it is nice that they have the colors for those that want the variety. Most important thing is that it cooks, and that it does.
There is a small tray and grate that fits in the bottom to place your charcoal on top of, and then there is the larger grill that fits on top. The unit is not very deep, so you won't be placing a lot of charcoal in it. Again, this is for cooking small meals, and it works just fine for that. The legs are sturdy enough. I placed mine on the concrete beside our back door and it was fine. The directions to state that the unit is not intended to be used on top of tables.
There is a handle on top of the lid that is rubber covered so it does not get hot when on the grill. I had no issues with taking the cover off to turn our meat or retrieve it when it was done. There are two air vents right under the handle, and you close those by turning the handle. There are also three rubber clips on the side. These are for transporting the unit when not in use. These clips clamp the lid to the rest of the unit and you can then pick up the entire grill by the convenient handle on top and take the grill with you wherever you go. You don't want to do this unless it is cool of course.
If you are looking for a small charcoal grill due to lack of space, or need a smaller spare for taking with you, the Bodum Frykat 13.4 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is a good little unit that does the trick. It is a bit more expensive than some of the models you can find, but it is nicer in a couple ways than some of the cheaper ones I've seen too. I like cooking with it, my little girl likes the color, and I'm sure it will be a nice, handy, little grill for many lunches, dinners, and picnics.
Honest reviews on Bodum Fyrkat 13.4-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Bodum Fyrkat 13.4" Grill is a great little grill for backyard/camping grilling. It has a rubber-coated handle as well as rubber coated grill cover clamps which can come in handy when around hot steel. In addition to Orange, the Fyrkat also comes in three other colors for those people who are tired of the basic black. The lid handle also turns to actuate the air vents in the lid which is a nice feature. The charcoal platform/ash collector is removable to allow for separate cleaning. This should theoretically allow for the interior to stay extremely clean, since the charcoal bits will fall into a separate compartment, and not the bottom of the grill as with a Weber model, but so far I haven't been able to figure out how to remove this piece w/o some of the burned charcoal rolling off into the bottom of the grill. Guess I need more practice.
Big drawback and why I've lowered it to 3 Stars is that the grill is very expensive. List price is $80 which is REALLY high considering comparable portable grills. Although Amazon has lowered this to $49.99, it is still more expensive than the much cheaper Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Silver Charcoal Grill (lists at $34.70, Amazon sells at $29.70) or Weber's upgrade model the 40020 Smokey Joe Gold Charcoal Grill (lists at $39.70, Amazon sells at $34.70). Considering I see little difference in actual operation and function between the Bodum and Weber grills (especially between the Fyrkat and the Smokey Joe Silver both of which I now own), I'm wondering what you are paying for in the additional $15. The rubber-coated devices, although a really nice touch, and a little higher quality construction can't be worth 33% more can it?
Good grill, but unless the color variations and rubber-coated handles really do it for you, seems like a little pricey for a backyard/camping/tailgate grill unless you are using it to cook your Salmon and Bris...
******** UPDATE **********
(9 July, 2012): Word to the wise DO NOT LOSE ANY PART OFF THIS GRILL!!! I recently left the grill top at a park after a cookout and after looking around Bodum's website and after several calls to their customer service line, I learned that they DO NOT sell replacement grill tops (or for that matter, any kind of spare parts). One guy took my name and number and said that he'd call me back if they took a grill on return (still hearing crickets chirping...). So now I am left with a charcoal grill that I already thought was somewhat pricey but now it has no cooktop. Of course, Bodum's kettle is a non-standard diameter so no other brand makes a grating that perfectly fits into the space (not even Webber and their many different sized options) so I'm left with either improvising a cooktop that doesn't fit or retrofitting the interior of the kettle to make the replacement grate that I bought fit. I chose the former and went with a larger grill that we can lay over the kettle and we've only used it once since. A crying shame...
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Bodum Fyrkat 13.4-Inch Portable Charcoal Grill
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Well, we're more than halfway through summer, and I've just finally gotten it together to do a post about portable charcoal grills. Some of you may know I write a popular meat blog called The Meatist (), and in my meaty adventures have had occasion to cook out of doors more than a little.
While for the last few years I've been laming out and relying on the ease-of-use that comes with a gas grill, I recently received a Bodum Fyrkat Portable Charcoal Grill for review, and I was psyched to get back to charcoal.
The Fyrkat is a fairly basic grill at first glance; it's got a wire grate for cooking, it's a kettle-style, and it's got two ventilation holes at the top of the dome, controlled by twisting the handle back and forth. What sets it apart from many others, and certainly from a hibachi, is the three latches that hold the top in place. This allows you to fill it with charcoal, slap the top on, and toss it in your trunk to go to a cookout. No fuss, no muss, and it's easy to carry the whole thing by the handle.
In the performance department, it does great. Plenty of ventilation from the bottom (underneath the separate charcoal tray that catches the vast majority of ash) gives you the flexibility to run it hot or hotter by moderating the top vents.
As for grill size, I was able to cook up five giganzo burgers on the 13.4 inch grate with no problem at all, so a basic cookout for a family of 5 or 6 would be easy peasy.
If easy transport isn't a priority though, you can save a few bucks and rock the Weber Smokey Joe Silver Charcoal Grill which is about $20 cheaper. While it doesn't come with the latches, and colors aren't quite as interesting (it comes in black, as opposed to the orange, blue, green, yellow, white, adn black of the Bodum), it's 14.5-inch grill gives a bit more space too cook on, and it's a Weber, so you know it will last.
On the downside, the Weber holds its charcoal on a straight grate, which means ash is apt to fall through the bottom vent holes and land wherever you've parked the thing. On the Fyrkat, there's a solid pan under the grate, but above the ventilation holes, so that isn't nearly as much of an issue, either when cooking or during post-cookout transport.
But regardless, either of these beat a hibachi hands down in my opinion. They're compact, the work great, and the capitalize on a covered, smokey cooking environment. If you're in the market for a small cookout grill that you can transport easily, or are just tired of looking at your hibachi, give the Fyrkat a good look.
Oh, and if you're looking for tips on grilling and cooking meat or recipes for meats and barbecue sauces, stop by The Meatist I've got a ton of 'em.
