Simple to own. Made to gather around.

Never cooked over live fire? Here's everything you need to know, in about two minutes.

A real fire burns in the center of the fire bowl. It heats the 10 mm carbon-steel plate around it: hottest near the flame, gentler toward the edge. Cook on the plate, sear over the fire on the center grate, and when dinner's done, pull the grate and enjoy the fire.

How Sudfire works.

See a Hearth go from cold steel to live-fire cooking: setting it up, loading the fire with wood and lump charcoal, adjusting the airflow, heating the carbon-steel plate, and cooking across its natural heat zones.

The closer you cook to the fire, the hotter the plate. Move outward and the heat gets gentler, so you can sear, cook, finish and hold food around one fire.

Sudfire was designed so the cooking becomes part of the gathering.

Your first fire

Fuel: seasoned hardwood, natural lump charcoal, or both. Never lighter fluid, instant-light charcoal, pine or treated wood.

Wipe a thin coat of high-heat oil over the plate, build a small fire in the center with the air vent open, and let the plate heat for about 25–30 minutes. Start with something simple, like burgers or vegetables, to learn the zones.

Real hardwood. Natural heat. No propane. No shortcuts.

Heat control, no knobs.

Three natural heat zones. Over the fire, on the center grate, is the highest heat, for searing and charring. The inner plate is hot, for burgers, fish and vegetables. The outer edge is gentle, for warming, holding and finishing.

Control the heat three ways: where you place the food, how big you build the fire, and the sliding air vent. Open it wide to light, then adjust. Move food outward as it finishes.

How to Season the SUDFIRE Plate

Cleaning takes a few minutes after each cook. Scrape the warm plate, wipe it, and oil it lightly. Never use soap. Once the fire is completely out and cold, empty the ash drawer.

The plate darkens over time. That's seasoning, just like a cast-iron skillet. The grates are the same carbon steel and get the same care.

Set it on a level, non-combustible surface: stone, pavers, concrete or tile. Not directly on wood decking, composite or turf. Keep it clear of walls, railings, furniture and anything overhead. It lives outside year-round; cover it only when it's completely cool.

It's a live fire, so always supervise it and keep children and pets at a safe distance. Full details are in the Owner's Manual.