UCO Flatpack Grill and Firepit - Watch Before You Buy

[@boomshanka8743]

I bought the mini a long time ago, and had the same problems you did. I cut a rectangle of heavy duty stainless mesh to fit inside about half way up the first holes in the side. Works like a champ, and the mesh fits right inside the pouch.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I had a small wire grate with me that I forgot to show. Thanks for commenting

[@ipedros7]

Was just going to say that, get a piece off a cooling rack and stick it in, probably doesn't even need to be the whole way. If you need to save on weight, maybe just over half would do.

[@tomparsley7150]

Dear sir, I just love how precise you are with the words you put out. Thank you very, VERY much for this input. Definetly changed my mind over this grill and if so, I will get larger one for car camping with bag of coals stored in the trunk of vehicle.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for commenting

[@nickmartino2839]

With that being said...id love to see a titanium version with updated air holes in it

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

That would be cool. Thanks for commenting

[@russelllieser4226]

Great video. Love seeing them makes my Saturday AM.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you like them! Thanks for commenting

[@malifestro3319]

I just cut a small piece of Plain Expanded Metal Sheet that I got from Home Depot and placed it at the bottom. It works very good to increase the air flow. I have used mine for a firepit a number of times. So you can give that a shot to see if that produces the outcome you are looking for.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Expanded metal would work great as long as air can get under it. Thanks for commenting

[@gearhead-do1xh]

I added a coal bed grate for my large for grilling ,works much better and gets the coals up and out to the edges for better heat control but my side fins always wants to fold inwards w/o the grill inserted 👍🔥‼️

[@walkerone9833]

Getting the wood/charcoal off of the bottom is key as you found out. Did the same w/my Emberlit wood stove some years back as the ash plate was solid metal w/o any air holes....as this stove is even though it is v shaped. Love my mini

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I had a small wire grate with me that I forgot to show. Thanks for commenting

[@lamarregister3518]

I use a Dremel tool to cut slots instead of drilling holes. Better control of air flow. I also use 1/4" mesh hardwire to shape at the bottom of my stoves to create a tunnel effect for air flow.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good idea. I had a wire grate with me this day and forgot to show it. Thanks for commenting

[@patricksantos9017]

Great review! This is what I was looking for.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@evapendaki2530]

Morning from Australia Thanks for the video

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Morning to you as well. Thanks for commenting

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

Thanks for the review. I received my little grill just the other day . I cooked a small pork roast on mine last night with indirect heating using charcoal. About 9 prices of charcoal off to one side and a made a lid out of a cheap aluminum baking tin from the dollar store. Worked great. I’ll have to wait for the campfire testing until December….hotter than blazes down here in South Florida….high 90’s Thanks again 👍🥵😎

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yikes, we rarely get into the 90s here. Yes, the UCO are great charcoal grills. Would be good to know how you make out with wood. Thanks for commenting

[@jacklandismcgowan1413]

I’ll try the wood next 👍😎

[@keithshwalbe6981]

Useful and informative. Thank you.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@budwilliams6590]

Early on I was going to comment but I didn't, and you pretty much said later in the video exactly what I was going to say. Good video.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Great minds...Thanks for commenting

[@ldog750cc]

Hi, great video. The bed grate should go from left to right like the grill. It fits right over the round tops of the grill. You’ll get more cooking surface.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, it would but then you have to lift it out to add fuel. Thanks for commenting

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Had the large one and ended up pitching it at the dump past weekend and here's why. The grill screen or top just wore put easily and the spot welded tab holding on the folding legs came off so that killed it. Good for grilling but what you said about airflow and issues getting a roaring flame were spot on in my experiance as well. I love the concept of the stove but have better units. Good honest review

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Wow. That is not good. I am interest in what other stoves have you tried? Thanks for commenting

[@aaronwilcox6417]

Winterwell ti folding shelter stove. Goes in my hot tent and I can heat or cook and there's an oven upgrade too. I can take it outside and take the top off and use it as an grill if needed. Trouble is the cost. It's a spendy date. Just picked up Ozark Trails cast iron grill with folding legs. It's an free standing grate basically with folding wire legs. It works on the ground over fire and coals. I'm not worried about leaving a trace if it's cool and moist out with no fire danger.

[@Pedenzo]

Yea! Another one of Mark's pyro videos! Have the fire restrictions eased up in your area? Looking forward to your piggies in a blanket....darn, now I am hungry again...;-)

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

In fact, the fire ban just got worse. Extreme risk here right now. Hoping for a couple of days of rain. Thanks for commenting

[@weirdmusicmixmaster]

First vid ive seen from you. Thanks for covering these. I was considering them for a basecamp add on where digging isnt as ideal.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you found the video helpful. Thanks for commenting and subscribing

[@mtnbound2764]

I have the medium, ( didnt realize they have a mini one!) and i had the same experience with wood, it was very smokey and wouldnt burn well, so, I drilled similar holes along the bottom!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Right on. Thanks for commenting

[@terryw.milburn8565]

With Your Mods, They Worked A OK Thanks For This Mark. ATB T God Bless

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting Terry

[@viewsandreviews180]

Another great presentation. Thank you for sharing this; I wasn’t aware of these until now. These “fire pits” have an interesting design. I can see where airflow would be an issue for both and found your modification innovative. I believe a small ash grate added inside might help as well but would add to the weight.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I had a small wire grate with me but forgot to show it. Thanks for commenting

[@adamb7426]

I cut up a thrift store stainless grill to lay in the bottom for air flow. My problem was charcoal would slide down and choke. Great review!! maybe I'll try drilling the holes.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I had a screen with me for that purpose but forgot to show it. Thanks for commenting

[@winnguyen443]

The bigger one has been very good to me on canoe trips!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Good to know. Thanks for commenting

[@liammalarky3483]

A pal of mine drilled holes like you did but worried about embers dropping out he drilled them smaller in diameter. He pushes kebab skewers through some of them to support branches and create a gap underneath for ash, embers and airflow. Like you he boils and roasts with it but doesn't use as a fire place. Great helpful vid as always. Thank you.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I like the idea with the skewers. Thanks for commenting

[@donnybryan6762]

When I am backpacking I on use gas stoves. When I am car camping the mini with match lights chair coal is my favorite cooking system. Grill, fry, and heat. Charcoal will last long enough to grill then heat sides.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Charcoal is a great fuel for sure. Thanks for commenting

[@OutdoorFreedomDk]

1:24 Wow.. That's was a nice shadow profile👌- And also a very good video too 👀.. (I just bought me one "Size Small UCO grill /firepit", I hope I not gonna be disappointed.. No, I think, I thought, I hope, I bought the right one.(The minor fire pit) . I had already thought about some modifications.. a small piece of steel grate / net / wire" in the bottom for better air flow,maybe anopening for "fire feeding" .. I think I got some ideas.. 🌀 Just keep it simple.. >

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, my Dragon Fly Wingman. They UCO fore pits work better with more airflow but should still work just fine anyway at least until the ash builds up too much. Thanks for commenting

[@NorthcoastPatty]

Nice review; thanks.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for commenting

[@swagging_sisters]

Um, just did two nights away, piled it up with some Aussie hardwood and it was awesome as a firepit/heat source for one person for a couple of cold nights 😁 and cooked up some veal steaks another 👌

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad it worked well for you. Maybe it is my wood choices. Thanks for commenting

[@nickmartino2839]

I have the larger one which i absolutely love using but i wonder for the smaller one if you cut a custom pc of stainless steel mesh just to fit in the bottom to act like a buffer to keep the coals from gathering at the bottom if that wouldn't help that would still fit inside while packed away??? Just a thought.... thanks and god bless Mark!!!

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I made something similar from a grill with small, square holes and it helped, until the ash built up too much. Thanks for commenting

[@Erin-h7w]

Please turn the grill tool upside down and just put the tong end under, rest the u part upside down on top, enjoying your videos

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@MichaelR58]

Good video and review Mark , thanks for sharing , God bless !

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting

[@dairsherman7599]

I have the medium size one no problem burning wood but warped and is falling apart storage bag is useless had a hard time getting it out when new impossable to get it back in

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yikes, not good. Thanks for commenting

[@oakwhittler4851]

In my experience, the key to lighting and maintaining a good wood fire with this firepit is to precut two different lengths of wood: about 12" placed lengthwise and about 5" or 6" placed across the bottom in the V. Those short cross pieces will allow air to get to the fire. If all the pieces are placed lengthwise, they do tend to fall to the bottom and smother the fire. If you don't have short pieces, the alternative is to crisscross the longer pieces at alternating angles, again to let air in. Also, the pieces need to be fairly small in diameter. Ideal is about 2" to 3", but I have burned larger pieces up to about 4". At this point, the wood will be laid at the top of the stove as the coals get higher, so there is no more air issue. Once you get a good fire going, it will keep going well and will in fact generate enough heat to keep you warm on a cold fall evening and will also create about the same ambiance as a fireplace fire, just smaller but still pleasant. I don't think the V shape is ideal for the air flow with wood. I think a square firepit would work better, but with practice you can get the UCO Flatpack to work pretty well for cooking, warmth, and ambiance. The bag is ridiculously small; it's next to impossible to get the medium firepit back in the bag and I stopped using it. I put the firepit and precut wood in a large canvas bag. One big advantage of this firepit is that it uses a fraction of the wood needed for a regular campsite fireplace. I can fit enough wood for two fires in the canvas bag. For starting the fire, I recommend a couple of pieces of newspaper and 1/4 of a Diamond Strike-a-Fire stick. Finally, warping over time will be pretty bad, but as stated not bad enough to affect the functioning of the firepit.

[@oakwhittler4851]

After reading the ideas in the other comments below, I agree that some kind of small grill placed in the bottom would cure the air problem and might make it unnecessary to have shorter cross pieces. (Still, even in my woodstove at home I like to have short and long pieces for more ait.)

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for sharing your experiences

[@tray-b6955]

I have both the medium and large sizes (9 pounds); however, have not used either - fire restrictions!😏 and like you, I moved on and haven’t gotten back to these stoves yet..... Thank you for the feedback re wood as fuel. I was aiming to use lump charcoal for the medium size. I was looking to use, at least the large version, as a wood firepit. It might still work, though; hopefully, I’ll get around to trying it out. Also, thanks for the tip on alternate grill placement on the medium grill!😊

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I am curious as to how the large size works as a fire pit. Thanks for commenting

[@shawnr6117]

Good stuff 😃. I'm curious about those knives (machetes?) in the background by your bench. What are they and is there a video forthcoming?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

LOL...sure. The wood handled one is a DIY pruning saw made from a blade I picked up at Lee Valley and made a handle for. The other is the Cold Steel Kukri a friend sent me to to test out. Thanks for commenting

[@chrissyzuege6014]

Can you cook on the grate or is it more for pan cooking? Thank you for this video. Very informative

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, most definitely. As long as you gave good grilling coals under it. Thanks for commenting

[@uncletomscabin2073]

I brought a amazon knock off version some chinese thing a quarter of the price more solid and came with a coal grate. It's heavy but I mostly car or boat camp. Even knocked up my own little gas burner to run along the bottom out of a old pizza oven. Have to say my fold up bbq plate is still the best way I like to cook.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Sounds like a good stove. Thanks for commenting

[@redsorgum]

I thought about buying the mini based on the good reviews. I didn’t know that there might be some issues with air flow. I wonder if some of these companies bother to do extensive trials on there products.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I wondered the same. They are still great with charcoal. Not so much with wood. Thanks for commenting

[@tennesseesmoky9012]

I’ve tried the UCO Flatpack Grill, the small size. Interesting design, but lacking in performance as a folding wood stove. It’s too large and heavy for packing in any kit. Expensive for what you get. Thanks for sharing this honest review. - Tennessee Smoky

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree totally. Thanks for commenting

[@richardwysocki8300]

Enjoyed your video, Sir. Question: what skillet is that you are using and how about the "lid?" Thanking you in advance.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Glad you liked the video. This is my carbon steel Paella pan and aluminum pie plate I picked up at a thrift store. Thanks for commenting

[@jimf1964]

Morning Mark. I remember seeing those at MEC. I’m surprised they don’t work very well as a fireplace. I was thinking of getting one for that. But if the price was right, they’d still be pretty sweet as a folding bbq. I just received my membrane water filter btw. Looks like good quality stuff. The bag looks extremely well made, so I have high hopes.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I don't think MEC even has them now. Let me know how the filter works for you. Thanks for commenting Jim

[@batzpfsaddict2806]

Interesting video

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@garayscue2062]

Going kayake camping would like this vs the jetboil thing its 4 of us....

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@CrowManyClouds]

I'm a bit confused, did you have a wire grate to hold the coals up with you and not remember to show it? 😉

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, I had made a small grate to lay in the bottom of the smaller grill but forgot to show it in the video. It does help but not all that much and is a bit finicky to set in properly. Still a worthwhile thing to try. Thanks for commenting

[@grimrockman]

You said you have more interesting options as firepit but didn't exactly mentioned what exactly ones. Could you please tell what you meant

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have a whole playlist of wood stoves but you may want to look at the Picogrill stove reviews. Thanks for commenting

[@furgere]

Hi Mark, thank you for the review. Did you ever try wood pellets with the small grill? Do you think pellets would work without the extra holes? Thank you

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I have not tried pellets but I could. In my experience pellets need a lot of air flow from below. Thanks for commenting

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Mark, I'm a bit confused about the design intent, since even the small is quite an ask to carry in a pack. And for car camping; sure flat folding is always a worthy attribute, but I really don't care if it folds or not, as long as it facilitates having a decent comfort fire too. Maybe custom holes higher up the "v" could work better, difficult to say without trying it, may well then affect the grilling performance. Cheers Duke.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I agree. It excels at one function and is mediocre at best for the other but is in no-way a backpacking item. Better design out there. Thanks for commenting

[@jzansnow]

Can I use jut wood chips to grill something on it?? Charcoal bags are too heavy for me :(

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I don't feel woodchips would work well in this stove. Thanks for commenting

[@jongjoorhee931]

Another great and honest review, Mark. I bought a small picogrill and quite happy with it. UCO looks more sturdy though. Your next video is going to be about machetes?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Yes, the UCO is heavy-duty with emphasis on heavy. The Picogrills are light-duty and lightweight . Thanks for commenting

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

and yes... I have a couple of big knife videos coming😉

[@The_Argent]

Couldn't you get around a lot of the fire pit problems with better wood management?

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Not really. You could be constantly moving the wood to help it burn better but it would not make much difference. Airflow is still an issue. Thanks for commenting

[@scetis]

I've been looking at the grill for some time now, but I wasn't sure if it would rust (specifically the grill). However, since you've been using this for years and seem to have no problems I might just have to get one. I was wondering though, have you had any problems grilling with charcoal in parks or conservation areas? Also, I know you've talked about leave no trace, would you pack out your ash or bury them? Thanks again for a great review and making us aware of the downsides.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Rusting has not been an issue for me but I also clean and oil my stoves often to keep them rust free. We have three levels of government run parks here; Federal, Provincial and Municipal. Municipal are often the most restrictive and vary around the province. Having said that, most allow BBQs, gas or charcoal. Federal and Provincial parks pretty much all allow BBQs. Using them often depends on whether they are staffed and have a fire response plan. Fortunately, even when there is a fire ban we are permitted to use charcoal as a fuel. Leave No Trace recommends broadcast spreading of fine ash to distribute them. I will occasionally bury larger coals once I am sure they are out (wet and cold). Packing out the larger coals is an option. It is even more Leave No Trace responsible. Hope this helps. Thanks for commenting

[@scetis]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft that helps a lot Mark- thanks!

[@honkey6373]

I'm curious what size paella pan you have. It looks like a 10 or 12 inch.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

This one is 10" carbon steel pan. Love using it. Thanks for commenting

[@honkey6373]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft thank you for getting back to me. I appreciate it.

[@markmartello]

Thanks Mark

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Most welcome. Thanks for commenting

[@nickmartino2839]

See i disagree with you.... I've never had a problem getting a very hot fire inside of mine.... now with that....i do make sure i find and use extremely hard dry well seasoned wood inside and place it in a manner that utilizes the best burn patterns.... but i like to start with building a hot hot fire then using only the coals to cook on..i find it is way better than trying to content with active flame..... anyway love the channel

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I usually do not have an issue getting a hot fire going. It is keeping it going as the ash builds up or the wood is not dry enough as you say. Thanks for commenting

[@nickmartino2839]

And i think the carrying case needs to be a little bigger as well and maybe with a strap

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

I can see it being helpful to have the case a bit larger to be able to add a few things. It is good quality though. Thanks for commenting

[@sirdee9607]

Nice

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@margueritemitchell1829]

Hello from British Columbia Canada 🇨🇦👋👍♥️🌲🌲🧘‍♀️🌲🚵‍♀️🌲🌲🎨🖌☕☕☕

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting

[@craigmooring2091]

Wait...Yoou thought it was the largest even though it was called 'the medium'? 😏

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

It was the largest when i bought it. Even now Amazon does not say it is the medium. Thanks for commenting

[@craigmooring2091]

@@MarkYoungBushcraft I just thought the way you put it sounded amusing. Your reviews are always so thorough. Very helpful.

[@budwilliams6590]

Ok you are really boring me with the inches and cm dimensions. You need to put it in sizes that i can relate to immediately relate to. The grill surface is sufficient for 2 hamburgers, or it will accommodate a porterhouse steak! For example.

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

Thanks for commenting