Answers from the Shop Floor
Everything you need to know about the Member Vault, custom Argentine parrilla and Santa Maria grill builds, Brazilian hand-forged knives, and full-grain Artisan Leather. Real answers from Executive Chef Mike Riddle and the Own The Fire® team.
The Member Vault
One-time purchase. 80+ professional recipes. No subscription.
What is the Member Vault?
The Member Vault is a private recipe library with 80+ professional recipes across 8 categories, built from twenty years of Executive Chef kitchen experience. One-time purchase unlocks permanent access. No subscription, no recurring charges, no renewal dates.
The 8 categories cover: Appetizers and Small Plates, Mains and Proteins, Sides, Soups, Sauces and Dressings, Rubs and Signature Blends, Cured and Smoked, and Desserts. Anchor recipes include Wagyu Tri-Tip, Beef Rib Pastrami, Grilled Lobster, Whole Roasted Duck, Lobster Bisque, and the Iron Cross Suckling Pig.
How much does the Vault cost?
$29.95 one-time. That's it. No monthly fees. No annual renewal. No billing surprises. You pay once and the Vault is yours permanently.
How do I access the Vault after I purchase?
Your one-time payment automatically unlocks the Vault section of ownthefire.com tied to your account. Log in and the full recipe library is available to browse and download. Every recipe is downloadable as a PDF so you can print it, save it to your phone, or keep a reference in the kitchen.
Do I get new recipes after I join?
Yes. New recipes are added to the Vault monthly and members get automatic access to every addition. The Vault grows without any additional cost to you.
Is there a refund if I change my mind?
Yes. The Vault comes with a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If it's not what you expected within 30 days of purchase, contact us and we'll make it right.
Can I share my Vault access with someone else?
The Vault is personal and non-transferable. Your login credentials are tied to you. We track access and reserve the right to revoke accounts that share credentials or distribute downloaded recipes publicly.
Artisan Knives
Full-tang Brazilian blades, forged by hand, built for live fire work.
Are these knives really hand-forged?
Yes. Every blade is hand-forged in Brazil by artisan bladesmiths using traditional methods. Not mass-produced imports. Each knife is individually crafted with attention to balance, edge geometry, and heat treatment.
What makes these different from other chef knives?
Our bladesmiths come from generations of churrasco and butchery tradition. They understand live fire cooking at the material level and design blades for the actual work, from breaking down whole animals to finishing a cook at the fire. These are purpose-built for live fire cooking and field work, not kitchen knives adapted for outdoor use.
What comes with each knife?
Every knife ships with:
- A full-grain leather sheath
- Written care and sharpening instructions
- Certificate of authenticity
Can I return a knife?
All knife sales are final. Because every blade is handcrafted, we don't accept returns or exchanges for change of mind. If your knife arrives damaged or defective, contact us within 7 days with photos and we'll repair or replace at no cost.
How do I sharpen and maintain these knives?
Use whetstones, not pull-through sharpeners, and hold the original edge angle. Full sharpening guidance comes with every knife. With normal use most owners only need to sharpen two or three times a year.
Custom Builds
Argentine parrilla and Santa Maria grills, reverse flow smokers, BBQ prep stations.
What do you build?
Argentine parrilla and Santa Maria hybrid grills: Hand-crank height-adjustable grills with optional brasero firebox, wagon wheel mechanisms, and rotisserie systems, sized to your space.
Reverse flow smokers: Quarter-inch steel construction, even heat distribution, and sizing from patio to competition.
BBQ prep stations and fire carts: Butcher block work surfaces over steel chassis, with optional integrated burners.
What's the custom build process?
- Phone consultation: review of your space, cooking style, and use case
- Custom quote: detailed specifications, timeline, and transparent pricing
- Deposit and build start: 50% locks your slot, material cost, and fabrication timeline
- Build walkthrough: in-person for local clients, video for remote
- Final payment and delivery: local setup included, nationwide freight available
Typical timeline is 4 to 8 weeks from deposit to delivery depending on complexity and current queue.
Do you ship builds nationwide?
Yes. We ship complete builds nationwide via freight. Local delivery and setup are included within 50 miles of Huntington, NY. Remote clients receive complete assembly documentation. National freight runs 7 to 14 business days after the build completes.
Can I visit the shop?
Yes, by appointment. Our Huntington, NY facility is open for consultations and work-in-progress reviews. Contact us to schedule.
Can I cancel a custom build order?
No. Custom grills, smokers, and personalized fabrication work are made to order and cannot be returned, exchanged, or cancelled once production begins. This is acknowledged at the deposit stage.
Artisan Leather
Full-grain, fire-tested, built to work and built to last.
What is Artisan Leather?
Artisan Leather is the Own The Fire® leather line. Full-grain construction, artisan-made, designed for professional use around fire and in the kitchen. Aprons, knife rolls, sheaths, and custom pieces built to develop character with use.
Where is Artisan Leather made?
We source full-grain leather from trusted global suppliers and craft pieces built for live fire and professional kitchen environments. The focus is on material quality and craftsmanship, not origin marketing.
Is the leather heat-resistant?
Yes. Full-grain leather is naturally heat-resistant and our pieces are built and treated to withstand the environment around live fire. This is functional leather, not fashion leather.
How do I care for Artisan Leather?
Detailed care instructions ship with every piece. General guidelines: wipe clean after use, condition with quality leather conditioner on a regular schedule, avoid prolonged water exposure, store in a cool dry place. These pieces are designed to develop character over time. The patina is part of the story.
Can I return leather goods?
All leather sales are final. If your piece arrives damaged or defective, contact us within 7 days with photos and we'll repair or replace at no cost.
Shipping and Returns
What to expect from order to door.
How long does shipping take?
- Small items (knives, tools, accessories): 3 to 7 business days via UPS or FedEx
- Regional shipping (Northeast): 5 to 10 business days via freight
- National shipping: 7 to 14 business days via freight
- Custom builds: 4 to 8 weeks fabrication plus shipping
Do you offer free shipping?
Local custom build delivery and setup are included within 50 miles of Huntington, NY. Other shipping costs are calculated at checkout based on size and weight.
What is your return policy?
All sales are final. Because our products are handcrafted, made-to-order, or carry a lifetime access model, we do not accept returns or exchanges for change of mind. The Member Vault is the exception, backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
If any item arrives damaged or defective, contact us within 7 days with photos and we'll repair or replace at no cost.
What if my order arrives damaged?
Contact us within 7 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the damage. We will work with you and the carrier to resolve it and repair or replace at no cost.
Do I get tracking information?
Yes. Once your order ships you'll receive tracking via email. For custom builds, we provide progress updates through the build and coordinate delivery directly.
What payment methods do you accept?
All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Shop Pay. All transactions run through Shopify's secure payment system.
General Questions
Who we are and how we work.
Who is Mike Riddle?
Executive Chef and founder of Own The Fire®. Twenty plus years in professional kitchens and 25 plus years in Fortune 500 promotional marketing. Reddit Top 1% creator with 1.7 million plus views on r/BBQ. Learn more on the About Mike page.
What is Own The Fire®?
Own The Fire®, A Culinary Experience by Mike Riddle, is a chef-led live fire brand. Professional recipes through the Member Vault, Brazilian hand-forged artisan knives, custom Argentine parrilla and Santa Maria grill builds, and full-grain Artisan Leather. Built on twenty years of professional kitchen work.
Can I visit the facility?
Yes, by appointment. Our Huntington, NY workshop is open for consultations, custom build reviews, and gear walkthroughs. Schedule your visit.
How do I contact support?
Contact us for all inquiries. We respond within 24 to 48 hours. Include your order number for questions about an existing order.
Do you ship internationally?
Currently US only. International shipping may be available for select products. Contact us for inquiries.
Still have questions?
The fastest way to get an answer is to reach out directly. We respond within 24 to 48 hours.
Contact UsTerms and Conditions
Last Updated: April 20, 2026
By accessing or using ownthefire.com or purchasing any products or services from Own The Fire®, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.
Important: Please Read Carefully
These Terms and Conditions are legally binding. If you do not agree to these terms, do not use this site or purchase our products.
1. General Terms
Own The Fire Culinary Group, LLC ("we," "us," "our") operates this website under the brand Own The Fire®, A Culinary Experience by Mike Riddle. We provide products and services including artisan knives, custom Argentine parrilla and Santa Maria grill builds, reverse flow smokers, Artisan Leather goods, the Member Vault, and related equipment and educational content.
These Terms govern your use of our site and purchase of our products. We reserve the right to modify these terms at any time. Changes are effective immediately upon posting.
2. Product Descriptions and Accuracy
Best efforts accuracy. We make every effort to display accurate product descriptions, specifications, pricing, and availability. However, we do not warrant that product descriptions, images, pricing, or other content is accurate, complete, reliable, current, or error-free.
Right to correct errors. If we discover an error in price or description after you order, we'll notify you and give you the option to reconfirm at the correct price or cancel for a full refund.
Product variations. Handcrafted products (artisan knives, custom builds, Artisan Leather) may vary slightly from photographs and descriptions. These natural variations are not defects.
3. Pricing and Payment
All prices are in USD and subject to change without notice. Price changes do not affect orders already placed. Payment is required at time of order. Applicable sales tax is added based on shipping address.
4. Shipping and Delivery
Shipping timeframes are estimates, not guarantees. Custom builds require 4 to 8 weeks fabrication before shipping.
Shipping delays. We are not liable for delays caused by carriers, weather, customs, or circumstances beyond our control.
Damaged or lost shipments. Inspect packages on delivery. Report damage to the carrier immediately and contact us within 48 hours. We are not liable for carrier damage or loss once shipment transfers to the carrier.
5. Returns and Refunds
All sales are final except where noted. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for change of mind except in cases of manufacturing defects or errors on our part.
Defective products. Contact us within 7 days of delivery with photos, order number, and description. We will evaluate and, at our discretion, offer repair, replacement, or refund.
Custom and made-to-order items. Custom grills, smokers, leather work, and other made-to-order items are non-refundable and non-returnable.
Member Vault. The Member Vault is backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee from the date of purchase. After 30 days access is permanent and non-refundable.
6. Member Vault Specific Terms
The Member Vault is a one-time purchase that unlocks permanent access to a private section of ownthefire.com with 80+ professional recipes, updated monthly. Access is personal, non-transferable, and tied to your account.
All recipe content is proprietary and protected by copyright. You may not share login credentials, distribute downloaded recipes publicly, use content for commercial purposes, or reverse engineer content. Violation of these terms may result in account termination without refund.
7. Product-Specific Terms
Knives and sharp instruments. By purchasing knives you certify you are of legal age in your jurisdiction, agree to use them safely, acknowledge they can cause injury if misused, and accept responsibility for safe storage and use. We are not liable for injuries resulting from misuse.
Grills, smokers, and fire equipment. Equipment is for outdoor use only. By purchasing, you acknowledge fire equipment carries inherent risks, agree to follow all safety guidelines and local fire codes, accept responsibility for safe installation and operation, and acknowledge that improper use can result in property damage, injury, or death. We are not liable for injuries or property damage resulting from use or misuse.
Installation. Some products require professional installation. You are responsible for ensuring proper installation. Hire qualified professionals for gas line connections, permanent installations, and heavy equipment setup.
8. Educational Content and Techniques
No professional advice. Member Vault content, blog posts, videos, and site educational material are for informational and entertainment purposes only. Content does not constitute professional culinary advice, food safety certification, or formal training.
User responsibility. You are solely responsible for following proper food safety practices, using appropriate equipment and techniques, supervising cooking equipment and open flames, complying with local health and safety regulations, and cooking food to safe internal temperatures.
Results not guaranteed. Individual results vary based on equipment, ingredients, skill level, and environmental factors.
9. Intellectual Property
Own The Fire®, Artisan Leather, Artisan Knives, and related logos and designs are trademarks owned by Own The Fire Culinary Group, LLC. All site content is protected by copyright. You may not use our trademarks or reproduce our content without express written permission.
10. Limitation of Liability
To the maximum extent permitted by law:
Own The Fire Culinary Group, LLC, its owners, employees, and affiliates are not liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including loss of profits, loss of data, personal injury or property damage, errors or omissions in content, product defects or failures, food safety issues or foodborne illness, fire damage, burns, or injuries from equipment use, or injuries from knives or sharp instruments.
Our total liability for any claim shall not exceed the amount you paid for the specific product or service giving rise to the claim.
11. Indemnification
You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Own The Fire Culinary Group, LLC, its owners, employees, and affiliates from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from your use of our products or services, your violation of these Terms, your violation of third-party rights, your misuse of equipment or techniques, or injuries or damages resulting from your use of our products.
12. Warranty Disclaimer
Products and services are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. We disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement, accuracy of information, and uninterrupted service.
13. Dispute Resolution
Governing law. These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York.
Arbitration agreement. Any dispute shall be resolved through binding arbitration under the American Arbitration Association rules, not in court. You waive your right to a jury trial.
Class action waiver. You agree to bring claims only in your individual capacity, not as part of any class or representative action.
14. Additional Terms
Privacy. Your use of the site is also governed by our Privacy Policy.
Age restrictions. You must be at least 18 years old to purchase products from this site.
Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures to perform due to circumstances beyond our control.
Severability. If any provision is found unenforceable, remaining provisions remain in full force.
15. Contact for Legal Matters
For legal inquiries or questions about these Terms, contact us through our website.
Business Name: Own The Fire Culinary Group, LLC
Brand: Own The Fire®, A Culinary Experience by Mike Riddle
Location: Huntington, New York
Follow The Fire
Own The Fire®