UNTIL NOW, SERIOUS BACKYARD CHEFS HAVE HAD TO RELY ON A NUMBER of outdoor appliances to prepare meals—a gas grill, a charcoal grill, a smoker and a pizza oven. But the announcement last fall that Emberhaus has launched its signature product, the Emberhaus Fire Oven, changes the landscape of the outdoor kitchen by combining the live-fire experience of grilling with the precision of oven control. The all-in-one charcoal and wood-fired grill bakes, roasts, sears, grills and smokes on both direct and indirect heat—all customizable for what is being cooked in the moment.
“Homeowners have a dozen choices for gas grills when designing a luxury-level outdoor kitchen, but they don’t have any options when it comes to premium charcoal grills,” says Emberhaus founder and CEO Bobby Brennan. “Incredible chefs in fine restaurants around the world rely on live-fire cooking, with grills that provide durability, heat retention throughout the day and fire control. An Emberhaus Fire Oven brings this all-in-one versatility and commercial performance for the first time to the residential market.”
Alfresco cooking is a deeply rooted part of the outdoor entertaining experience, and consumers consistently say they prefer the distinctive flavor and ritual of charcoal cooking over gas grilling, valuing both the taste and the hands-on process. Paired with the meteoric rise in custom outdoor living spaces—an accelerated trend that first took hold during the pandemic—it’s no surprise that the demand for charcoal cooking continues to build. In fact, the latest industry forecast from Future Market Insights projects steady national growth in charcoal cooking year after year throughout the coming decade.
Necessity, as they say, is the mother of invention. Brennan has experience in the outdoor cooking industry as the previous founder of the company that manufactures Kamado Joe ceramic grills (which he has since sold to another company). When he purchased a South Carolina coastal home, he envisioned a product that would architecturally fit the home’s style while withstanding the salt air and high humidity, a harsh environment that can be corrosive to many outdoor appliances. When he couldn’t find one, he designed the Emberhaus Fire Oven. “It is perfectly suited to coastal environments,” Brennan says.
A made-in-the-USA product, the Fire Oven’s thoughtful, intentional design, engineering and fine craftsmanship begin and end in Athens, Georgia. The company’s artisans start with the highest-quality materials designed to withstand environmental pressures, so the end product will last for generations. The oven is made of 316 stainless steel, which is a premium material known for its corrosion resistance and durability in the face of extreme environments. The material also is easily formed and maintains its reliability even when exposed to extremely hot oven temperatures. The oven’s exterior is sprayed with a Cerakote finish, a ceramic-based coating that comes in 12 standard colors, or it can be custom matched. “Our coatings are mixed in our workshop for exceptional UV stability, temperature resilience and durability to last a lifetime in any type of outdoor environment,” Brennan explains. Two non-scratch PVD trim options and customizable hardware allow customers to mix and match for a bespoke look for each outdoor kitchen application. “The Emberhaus Fire Oven is just as customizable as a La Cornue indoor range,” Brennan adds. “It can be tailored to a homeowner’s individual space.”
The charcoal-fire oven combines the soul of a wood-fired hearth with the precision of modern engineering. Triple-walled insulation in the 400-pound oven holds temperatures steady all day and can cook for up to 24 hours on a single load of charcoal, while adjustable vents allow control of the fire and the heat. “You can dial it down for a low-and-slow barbeque or open it up for a blazing steakhouse sear,” says Brennan. Seven cooking levels and split cooking surfaces in a wide, spacious oven provide the flexibility needed to prepare an entire meal using only one product. Multiple zones of direct and indirect heat, created by customizing placement of heat deflector plates and grates, provide a unique cooking experience. A large, accessible charcoal compartment and an ash grate that slides out for emptying in seconds provide effortless functionality.
Product aesthetics were as important to the design team as functionality and performance. “From the beginning, our plan was to create an elegant product that is as refined as the home to which it is added,” Brennan says. “Homeowners want an outdoor kitchen design that is as intentional as their home’s interior one. Emberhaus Fire Oven is a functional piece of art.” Though it is designed in accordance with commercial restaurant-quality standards, Emberhaus Fire Oven has an intuitive interface for an easy consumer experience. Dials are analog, which Brennan says is in keeping with the primal feeling of cooking over a live fire. “We intentionally did not include technology such as Wi-Fi capability,” he says. “Why would you put a self-driving feature on a Ferrari?”
The immersive live-fire experience is one of the biggest selling features. Imagine crackling flames, the familiar smoky smell and the searing sound of meat hitting an intensely hot grill. It’s the kind of product that people can’t help but gather around, enjoying good conversation and a beverage or two. “You open the oven door, and the fire is right there in front of you,” says Brennan. “The Emberhaus Fire Oven can be part of a full day of entertaining friends and family. You can go to the butcher shop and choose a cut of meat, pop a bottle of wine and spend the day cooking for guests. For me, cooking on it is not work but a way to decompress at the end of a long week.”
Emberhaus Fire Ovens are available to consumers in select premium showrooms worldwide, such as Atlanta Grill Company in Roswell, or can be customized to order by architects, designers and builders. While the Emberhaus Fire Oven can sit alone, the company works closely with high-end outdoor cabinetry providers to integrate the product into their cabinetry layouts. However it is configured, the heirloom-quality product comes with a lifetime warranty.
Emberhaus plans to launch other open-flame products later in the year, including an Argentine-style parrilla grill. All future products will be live fire, using charcoal or wood, and devoid of electronic or gas parts.
Outdoor cooking and entertaining have evolved from a summer pastime to a year-round passion in the South. Emberhaus has built the one outdoor cooking product that both seasoned grill masters and beginners can enjoy. “Our patios have become sanctuaries—spaces to unwind, connect and create lasting memories,” Brennan says. “Fire is the original gathering point, and cooking with it connects us not only to each other but to something timeless. At Emberhaus, we built the ultimate outdoor cooking product we have always wanted but could never find.” *
Dana W. Todd is a professional writer specializing in interior design, real estate, luxury homebuilding, landscape design, architecture and fine art.
