The description says that this grill is for use with a skillet, but the booklet that accompanies it shows food being cooked directly on the grill. If you want to cook on the metal, you need to be aware that the grill is covered in paint "to protect it during transport" and that paint will come off on your food the first time you use it. The grill is made in China, and there's no indication that the paint is non-toxic, so you will need to burn off the paint and clean the grill thoroughly before putting food on it. Other reviewers seem to suggest that a good reason not to cook on the metal is that the grill is too heavy to clean, which is nonsense -- you just need to do it outside with a hose and a wire brush. I expect these reviews are less than totally genuine I'm afraid, and that they are designed to deter you from encountering the paint problem. In fact, the grill seems to be ok for cooking on directly, once the paint has been removed, but it's hardly a selling point. In other respects the grill and the bowl are very heavy and sturdy and overall the product at the reduced price represents good value for money and is versatile and nice-looking.

Fred Bloggs

Kent

We were looking for a fire pit that could also be used as a grill, and this fitted the bill precisely. It's sturdy and really good value for money, as well as being practical. Although heavy, it is what is expected for it being cast iron. We intend to use it on our patio, placing it on an extra paving slab to protect our existing slabs. Just waiting for some nicer weather. For now it resides in our summerhouse!

Pixielator

Worcester

As a fire pit for evening get togethers to keep warm Lovely and atmospheric I think I was lucky as got this in a deal but it's still going strong and much admired several years later.

Happy host

Cornwall

We bought this for our daughter for a moving in present and it has been used loads as a fire pit and as a bbq Would highly recommend it

Djpluss

Devon

A great outdoor firepit. Really robust and strong. Attractive shape. I didn't buy it to cook on, just for extra warmth. If you want to cook on it you are advised to use a skillet on top, and not put food straight onto the grill. The grill is very heavy, which is good, but that would make it very difficult to clean if you did put food straight on top.

Julianne1957

Hampshire

This is a simply brilliant firebowl which doubles as a grill - so a versatile 2-in-1. We have quite a small patio area, and as its low it does not dominate the area and still does a super job. Being cast iron it really radiates the heat - so would equally be able to heat a much larger area - just build a bigger fire! The holes around the bottom allow ash to fall out so it does not get clogged up even if you have a long evening watching the stars - the flip side is there is a minimal amount of clearing up to do the following morning. The grill is really sturdy, and we have used it for cooking on by putting griddle pans on, rather than cooking direct on the grill, which has been good fun (am not sure you would want to cook on the cast iron griddle as it would be ever so heavy and a bit unwieldy to clean). In short, really pleased with this and would highly recommend it.

AML 7576

Oxfordshire