UCO FlatPack Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire Pit – My Initial Thoughts

Chris HuntAbout the Author: Hi! I'm Chris Hunt, and I wrote this article. With years of experience as a former firefighter and knowledge of combustible materials, I have personally researched and compiled the information presented here. Please note that the content provided is solely my opinion and should not be construed as professional advice. Additionally, I do not guarantee the quality or performance of any of the products featured. Please be sure to review the website's Disclaimer, Terms and Conditions before using the site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (without additional cost or expense to you).

Firepit and grill combination products are usually relatively hefty. This weight is because most are for camping and outdoor activities that require a vehicle to transport them. However, options can be slightly more limited if you want something lighter and more portable.

But UCO has a product that fills these requirements and operates as a flat-pack fire pit and grill, offering a combination of portability and versatility.

That product is the UCO Flatpack Portable Grill & Fire Pit.

In this article, we’ll look into whether this product can deliver decent performance given its size and consider all the pros and cons that come with it.

Spoiler: Overall, we rated this model 4th out of 9 in reviewing the best portable fire pits.

Key Features

First, we will run through some key features of this product but keep in mind that it’s a flat-pack design that is intentionally minimalistic. Therefore, the focus is on functionality and usefulness to the user rather than having the more advanced or fancy product “features.”

1. Portability

While the UCO fire pit and grill is not the lightest product on the market, it’s certainly lightweight and compact enough to be considered one of the top options when it comes to portability.

A weight of just 3.3 pounds (1.5 kg) and a packed away dimension of 13″ x 10″ means this product differs from a laptop for comparative purposes. However, we will say that the square shape and lack of a decent strap make this slightly less portable for those considering it for a backpacking trip, though it can fit inside some backpacks, so keep that in mind.

Some portable fire pit design packs down into a cylinder-type carry case with a decent strap, so that’s one area in that you could improve this product to make it more portable.

 2. Value for Money!

The price point of this product caught our attention initially. You can get much more expensive versions. We feel you are getting decent value for money with this product for a low price.

As we’ll cover shortly, functionality is ok from a compact fire pit and grill at the entry-level range, but it is tiny.

3. Functionality

The UCO flat-pack offers 2-in-1 functionality rarely seen in a fire pit of this size (or at this price range). Setup takes less than a minute as you fold out the legs to form the base and then attach the grill grate to the top of the pit. It is that straightforward.

The legs fold out to constitute a solid base, and the product has some air holes predrilled to enhance airflow and give you a better flame. While not a negative point, it’s worth noting that the fire pit is on the small side, and an accidental bump can easily knock this over, so while it’s stable during use, we wouldn’t call it solid.

In terms of functionality, it’s hard to fault this product. Setup takes less than a minute, and the grill is a decent size for cooking for an individual or small group. In addition, it’s easy to empty, folds away just as quickly as it takes to set up, and flat packs away for easy storage.

Regarding functionality, especially for the price, you can’t ask for much more, and this product meets expectations.

4. Durability

The fire pit and grill are stainless steel to create a hard-wearing, rust/corrosion-resistant end product. Due to the material used, this product can operate as a leave-no-trace fire pit to look after the environment while quickly removing ash.

One YouTube reviewer noticed that the carry bag has heat-resistant material and that sparks from the open flame didn’t burn or scorch it. So while we wouldn’t recommend testing this yourself, it’s still good to know that the materials used are good quality and durable.

Pros and Cons

This model is quite a no-frills product, if we are being honest. Therefore, the pros and cons are nothing too groundbreaking or deal-breaking.

 Pros

  • Entry Level: Considering that this product has 2-in-1 functionality. It’s an excellent entry-level value pick.
  • Portability: When fully folded into its flat-pack case, this grill and fire pit will take up no more room than a laptop, making it incredibly portable and easy to store away when not in use.
  • Innovative Design: The flat-pack design is innovative, functional, and, most importantly, easy to use. Set up and pack down are fast and effortless, and most people enjoy the unique and innovative functionality.

Cons

  • Carry Case: The carry case is undoubted of decent quality, and the portability is not an issue, but the envelope-style case and lack of a proper strap can make this quite awkward to carry around.
  • Air Vents: One of the first things that we noticed is that the air vents are an exceptional addition to a fire pit, but there are not enough to sustain a decent flame when used as a fire pit. Because of this, a few users found the fire to fizzle out quicker than expected.

UCO Flatpack Portable Stainless Steel Grill and Fire PitCheck Price on Amazon

Final Thoughts

We mentioned earlier that a flat pack 2-in-1 fire pit and grill usually comes as a larger product. So to see UCO bring out a flat-pack variant is quite innovative, in our opinion, and certainly helps it to stand out in the market.

It should function well under most conditions. While it has some minor drawbacks (sturdiness and ventilation), its benefits in portability, storage, and ease of use far outweigh it. Therefore, we feel this is a decent product that offers good value for money.