Fire-Tested

What I Cook With

The tools, fuel, and gear I trust every time I cook over live fire.

I don't recommend products because someone sent them to me.

Everything here has been tested over live fire, in real cooks, with real guests at the table.

If it's here, I'd spend my own money on it again.

OWN THE FIRE®
Command the Flame. Rule the Craft.

The Fire-Tested Standard

Every product here earned its place.

01 Tested personally
02 Cooked in real service
03 Recommended because it performs
04 Some links earn me a commission. No commission earns a recommendation.

If I wouldn't use it in my own backyard,
it doesn't make this page.

Premium Fuel

BBQ Daddy Charcoal

Performance lump charcoal for serious live-fire cooking.

I burn through a lot of fuel, and this earns its spot. Clean heat, long burns, real hardwood character, and none of the junk that ruins a cook.

When I fire the Santa Maria and the heat has to hold for hours, this is what goes in the box.

What Sets It Apart
100% White Quebracho
Extreme heat capacity and longer burn times than standard lump.
Hand-Sorted
Consistent piece size. No filler, no shortcuts.
Built to Perform
High heat, clean flavor, minimal ash, hours of steady burn.
This is the fuel I reach for when consistency matters. Clean burn, minimal ash, maximum flavor.
Mike Riddle, Founder
Exclusive 15% Off
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Earn Your Spot

Think your product belongs here?

A place on this page isn't bought. It's earned. Every product is tested the same way, over real fire, during real cooks, with no special treatment. If it makes the experience better, I'll recommend it. If it doesn't, it won't make this page. If you build something exceptional, I'd love to see it.

20+ Years as a Chef / Millions of Views / Live Fire Tested / Honest Reviews
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Products are evaluated independently. Placement is never guaranteed.

How these recommendations work. Some links on this page are affiliate or ambassador links, which means Own The Fire® may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you. A commission has never earned a place on this page. Every recommendation is here because I've used it, trust it, and would spend my own money on it again.