Our History: The Saffire Grill & Smoker Story
Saffire Grill Co. is a premier barbecue company with innovation in our veins. Started in 2007, Saffire Grill Co. began a quest to create the most durable, highest-quality kamado on the market today, while maintaining an affordable, highly competitive price.
The line of Saffire Grill & Smokers has changed a lot over the years: we’ve made a lot of improvements to the kamado design, and we’ve seen many of our innovations appreciated by Saffire owners as well as competitors. One thing has stayed the same: we’re still a family owned and operated business. We’re blessed with all that we’ve been able to accomplish (so far)!
If you are a Saffire owner, we hope you take pride in being a big part of that story!
Before 2008
Click to Enlarge
Inception
Saffire Grill Co. began as an ideal. Before the first Saffire Grill & Smoker was ever made, Steve Benson, working for years selling kamado grills at Rockford’s own Benson Stone Company, had some new ideas to improve the mainstream kamado design. Unfortunately, the largest kamado manufacturer at the time wasn’t interested in making any changes to their kamados. Steve knew we, and our customers, could do much better. That’s why he started Saffire Grill Co.
2008-2009
Click to Enlarge
The First Saffire Grill & Smoker Model: SG22
When the first Saffire Grill & Smoker was put on the market in early 2008, it included ground-breaking new features seen no-where else on the kamado market.
It came with a 304 stainless steel chimney top and grill bands, rather than powder-coated steel. Side shelves were attached directly to the grill at the grill bands. An efficiency plate was added below the firebox, which helped to reduce heat loss from the bottom of the grill. Saffire Grill Company’s patented Smokin’ Chip Feeder was introduced then as well, being completely unique in the barbecue market.
And for the first time ever, consumers also had the opportunity to purchase a ceramic, kamado grill with all stainless steel hardware, as well as a Build-in Kit for placing the grill directly onto a combustible surface without a concrete pad underneath.
Click to Enlarge
Carts, Tables and New Colors
Next, Saffire Grill Co. improved on their existing grill cart design. A new variety of exotic hardwoods were also introduced for grill table options, as well as the option to have a granite-topped grill table.
Shortly afterward, Saffire Grill & Smokers changed in color from teal to black or red. Other changes included a new, heavy duty, stainless steel chimney cap, and an improved ash door at the bottom.
2010-2013
Click to Enlarge
A New Way of Thinking
In 2010, the new SG18 Saffire Grill & Smoker was essentially an SG22, but with minor changes. The size was similar, but the model number now indicated the diameter of the interior cooking surface instead of the outside diameter.
2014-2015
Click to Enlarge
Redesigning the Saffire Grill & Smoker
In late 2013, Saffire Grill Co. introduced the new Large 19″ grill at the Spoga+Gafa international garden show in Cologne, Germany. The side by side difference was significant. Saffire enlarged the base and beefed up the dome again for even more interior cooking space on two levels.
Various improvements were made at the same time to the overall Saffire Grill & Smoker design.
- The grill carts were given a unique new graceful arched design that provided even better stability. The new carts would then have the option of high quality type 304 stainless steel, like the rest of the hardware, for the ultimate durability and a lifetime warranty.
- That same year, Saffire & Smoker were offered with 304 stainless steel side shelf upgrades to the standard bamboo side shelves that came with every grill cart.
- The Smokin’ Chip Feeder port and tool were improved for more capacity and easier use.
- The bottom ash door/air control also received a new ember guard and graduated air setting guide.
In addition to design improvements, Saffire Grill & Smoker had a new Extra-Large grill size and a whole new grill class. The XL 23″ Saffire Grill was approximately 4+ inches larger in diameter, offering even more cooking space. And both the Large and XL would now be available in the new Bronze series, which comes with powder-coated steel hardware.
Now would-be owners could get all the Saffire Grill cooking benefits at an even lower cost.
2016-2017
Click to Enlarge
New Size, Color & Class
In 2016 Saffire Grill Co. added the new 15″ Medium size grill, offering a lower price and weight, and a more compact size, for customers who didn’t need the extra space of the larger models. As with the Large and XL grills, the Medium came in either the original class (now called the Silver class) and the Bronze class. Unlike the Large and XL, the ash door didn’t include an ember guard.
In addition to the new grill size, Saffire introduced the Platinum Series of grills with standard, all 304 stainless steel grill hardware. This Series came in the Large and XL models. It featured a new stainless steel handle and side shelves, and the beautiful new Sapphire Blue color! It looked amazing, with polished stainless steel hardware accented against the rich sapphire blue ceramics. It was beauty combined with ultimate durability. And she cooks too!
2018
Click to Enlarge
Better in Blue, a Few Goodbyes and the Small Saffire Grill & Smoker
In 2018 Saffire Grill Co. began offering the sapphire blue glaze color in all grill sizes. In addition, Platinum grills were also now available with the Onyx Black ceramics as well. With the new color it was time to say “goodbye” to Jasper Red grills, and the Silver class, with its 202 stainless cart and bamboo side shelves.
That same year, Saffire also introduced their fourth size of grill with the 13″ Small kamado grill model. This extremely compact ceramic kamado is the ideal grill for small areas, tailgating and camping trips brought on camping trips. It has a 13″ inner diameter, allowing for several large burgers to cook on the grill at once. The stand is made of sturdy 304 stainless steel, with built-in handles for easier transport.
Click to Enlarge
The Revolutionary Firebox and More
Cosmetic changes weren’t the only things that happened in 2018. One huge advancement to kamado cooking occurred when Saffire Grill Co. introduced the now patent-pending Crucible firebox. The Crucible would now come in the Large, and, soon after, in the Extra-Large models. It was also available as an upgrade for previous models.
The new firebox no longer used large pieces of ceramic, which are highly prone to breakage in kamado brands all around the world. The new Crucible Firebox would use a dozen pieces of higher temperature, higher density fire bricks. The higher temperature materials in smaller pieces would now be able to avoid most of the breakage due to thermal expansion of the larger ceramic pieces.
The addition of a durable aluminized steel outer shell would also reinforce the structural integrity virtually eliminating the structural failure so common, even rampant, with other models.
The unique new design also provided many operational benefits as well. There was now twice the grate area to provide more air-flow to much more of the charcoal bed for faster lighting. The larger grate area also greatly improved the speed and ease of cleaning the ash. These, and even more, benefits of the Crucible firebox now brought a whole new level of performance, durability, versatility and ease of maintenance to the world of charcoal cooking.
At the same time the Multi-Level Cooking System was also introduced. This brought split grid and split heat deflector versatility for multiple temperature cooking zones. With the Multi-Level Cooking System, cooking can be done on two levels simultaneously. Between the new Crucible and the Multi-Level Cooking System, Saffire Grill Co. added much more control and versatility to their grills out of the box.
2019-2022
Click to Enlarge
XL and Bronze Crucibles
In 2019, the Crucible became standar in all Extra-Large Saffire Grill & Smokers as well.
The large and X-Large Bronze Series grills would now have the new expanded-size grate in the Crucible firebox, while the Platinum Series would have the stainless steel basket grate and a huge ash pan. The basket grate and ash pan would also now be available as an optional accessory for the lower cost Bronze Series.
2023-2024
Click to Enlarge
Introducing the First Saffire Wood Burning Fire Pit
The Smokeless Tabletop Wood Burning Fire Pit revealed in late 2023 was the first ever fire pit Saffire Grill Co. sold. It features the Saffire Grill Co. trademark: a super durable ceramic shell. It works with multiple fuels, including wood chunks, charcoal, and even wood pellets. For those on the go, it comes with a very nice carrying case with a should strap for outdoor adventures.
Weighing in at just about 9 pounds, it’s a super portable way to roast marshmallows.
2025
Click to Enlarge
Saffire Grill & Smoker Goes Black with the Matte Black Carbon Kamado
In 2025 we said goodbye to the glossy black Bronze grills with bamboo side shelves, and hello to the Carbon Black grill with matte black powder-coated steel cart and side shelves! This beautiful matte black Saffire Grill & Smoker goes perfectly with any backyard furniture or decorations you have. Not only beautiful, it includes so many accessories out of the box, one of which is our Platinum Crucible Firebox! It’s a huge value!
2026-Present
Click to Enlarge
Saffire Grill & Smokers Today
Saffire Grill Company’s passion is the same today as it was in 2008:
Innovation for the highest quality, durability and most versatile cooking… and all that for the best dollar value!
It’s already on the drawing board.
