The Prompt

Over the course of 10 weeks we were prompted to think about portable outdoor cooking. I quickly chose wood as my fuel source because of its history as a fuel and as an atmospheric element of a cookout or gathering. By surveying people and conducting competitive research analysis I saw that there were no good solutions designed for outdoor and cooking enthusiasts based on fire as a fuel source. There was a great desire, though, in people for a new and exciting solution to cook over open flame.

The Design

Introducing the Wandering Hearthfire, an outdoor cooking solution that I designed with a focus on enhancing the chef's control over their food. With its unique asymmetrical design, the grill allows the chef to have full control over the cooking process while maintaining the authentic atmosphere of a wood-fired grill.

I spent a considerable amount of time researching and prototyping the Wandering Hearthfire, with a focus on creating a design that would offer maximum functionality while being portable and durable. I understood the importance of airflow in creating the perfect grilling experience, and this was a key consideration during the design process.

The removable grill surfaces and ash tray make cleaning up a breeze, while the foldable legs make it easy to transport the Wandering Hearthfire from one location to another. I wanted to create a design that could easily fit in a car trunk or be carried by hand, without compromising on the functionality of the grill.

Throughout the ten-week design process, I paid special attention to the choreography of the Wandering Hearthfire, ensuring that every component was precisely placed to create the perfect grilling experience. I did lots of sketching and prototyping to make sure that every element of the Wandering Hearthfire was optimized for performance and usability.

One of the most significant challenges I faced during the design process was creating a grill that would offer maximum control to the chef without taking away from the authentic atmosphere of a wood-fired grill. This is where the asymmetrical design of the Wandering Hearthfire came into play, as well as the addition of the horizontal flame guide, offering the chef full control over the cooking process while still maintaining the fire's natural appearance.

The final product is a true testament to my dedication to innovation and my commitment to creating products that enhance the user experience. With its unparalleled functionality, portability, and durability, the Wandering Hearthfire is sure to become an essential tool for outdoor cooking enthusiasts everywhere.

The Wandering Hearthfire portable wood-fired grill was a challenging design process that required a lot of research, benchmarking, and real-life prototyping. As an industrial designer, I knew that creating a functional and versatile wood-fired grill that was also portable would require testing and experimenting with different materials and configurations.

To start the design process, I researched existing portable grills and traditional wood-fired grills. I looked at various shapes and sizes, materials, and features to determine what was already out there and what could be improved upon. However, I knew that theoretical research could only take me so far.

To create a grill that would work in real life, I started prototyping different shapes and configurations in brick and steel. This allowed me to see how different materials and shapes would work together, and I could test out various design features such as airflow and choreography.

One of the primary struggles I faced was creating a grill that would offer maximum control to the chef while maintaining the authenticity of a wood-fired grill. I wanted to create a grill that would allow the chef to control the cooking process while also maintaining the fire's natural appearance.

After prototyping different designs, I decided on an asymmetrical design that would allow the chef to have full control over the cooking process while still maintaining the fire's natural appearance. The unique design allows the chef to move food closer or further from the fire as needed, creating a versatile cooking experience that can be tailored to different types of dishes.

Another significant challenge I faced was creating a portable wood-fired grill that would be easy to transport without compromising functionality. To address this challenge, I created foldable legs that would make it easy to transport the grill from one location to another. I also made sure that the grill was lightweight enough to be carried by hand and that it could fit easily in the trunk of a car.

During the prototyping process, I experimented with different materials and configurations to ensure that the grill was durable enough to withstand outdoor use but also lightweight enough to be easily transported. This involved testing the grill's stability, its ability to withstand high temperatures, and its ease of use.

To make the Wandering Hearthfire stand out from the competition, I focused on its unique design, functionality, and versatility. I looked at several other portable wood-fired grills on the market, including the Traeger Ranger and the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Grill. While these grills were both lightweight and portable, they lacked the functionality and versatility that I was looking for in my design.

To ensure that the Wandering Hearthfire was a functional and reliable tool for outdoor cooking, I spent a considerable amount of time prototyping and testing the grill in real-life settings. This allowed me to refine the design and make sure that it worked as intended.

In conclusion, the Wandering Hearthfire portable wood-fired grill was a challenging design process that required a lot of research, benchmarking, and prototyping. By experimenting with different materials and configurations, I was able to create a functional and versatile grill that offers maximum control to the chef while maintaining the authenticity of a wood-fired grill. The real-life prototyping and testing process allowed me to refine the design and ensure that the grill was durable, stable, and easy to use.