Outdoor fireplaces have traditionally been designed for warmth and ambience, giving homeowners a place to gather once the sun goes down. Flare Fires takes that concept a step further by transforming the fireplace into a fully functional cooking station. Rather than needing a separate barbecue, the company’s grill accessories allow users to prepare meals directly over a real wood fire while everyone enjoys the warmth around it.
Instead of treating outdoor cooking and outdoor entertaining as two separate activities, the Flare Outdoor Fireplace Grill combines them into a single experience.
More than just an outdoor fireplace
At first glance, the Flare system looks like a premium outdoor fireplace. However, built into every compatible Flare Outdoor Fireplace are preset stainless steel mounting points that allow owners to add dedicated cooking accessories whenever they’re ready. These mounting locations accept the company’s Swing Frame, which becomes the foundation for the entire grilling setup.
Unlike a permanent grill grate that sits over the fire, the Swing Frame creates a flexible cooking platform that can be positioned exactly where it’s needed. According to Flare, up to four Swing Frames can be installed on a single fireplace, making it possible to cook multiple dishes simultaneously or position different foods at varying heights above the embers.
That modular approach means the fireplace can remain a traditional fire feature one evening and become the centrepiece for a backyard cookout the next.
A choice of cooking surfaces
Rather than limiting users to a single grill grate, Flare offers several interchangeable cooking surfaces designed for different styles of outdoor cooking.
Owners can choose between a cast iron grill, a stainless steel grill plate or a cast iron hot plate depending on what they’re preparing. The cast iron options are designed to retain heat for consistent cooking, while the stainless steel grill plate provides an alternative surface that’s easier to maintain and clean after use.
Because each cooking surface simply drops onto the Swing Frame, swapping between accessories takes only a few moments. This flexibility allows different foods to be prepared using the surface best suited to the meal instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all solution.
Cooking directly over wood embers
One of the biggest differences between the Flare system and a conventional gas barbecue is the heat source.
Instead of burners or charcoal trays, cooking takes place over natural wood embers already produced by the fireplace. After attaching the Swing Frame, users place their preferred grill plate onto the frame before using an ember poker to pull glowing embers directly beneath the cooking surface. Once the plate reaches temperature, food can be placed on top for grilling.
The process gives outdoor cooking a more traditional wood-fired character while keeping everyone gathered around the same fire.
Rather than standing off to one side tending a separate grill, the cook remains part of the conversation, making the fireplace itself the social hub of the backyard.
Designed for entertaining
Flare emphasises that one of the biggest advantages of cooking on an outdoor fireplace is the atmosphere it creates.
Because guests naturally gather around the fire for warmth, grilling becomes part of the shared experience instead of something happening away from everyone else. Whether preparing steaks, vegetables or several dishes at once, the cooking process stays front and centre.
The ability to mount multiple Swing Frames also makes the system better suited to entertaining larger groups than a single cooking surface alone. Different foods can be prepared simultaneously while varying cooking heights help manage different temperatures across the fire.
A modular system that grows with you
The grilling accessories are part of Flare’s broader All-in-One Cooking ecosystem, which also includes accessories such as pizza ovens, rotisserie systems and smokers.
That means homeowners don’t necessarily have to decide everything upfront. Someone can start with a fireplace and later expand its capabilities by adding different cooking accessories as their outdoor entertaining needs evolve.
This modular approach also keeps the fireplace visually clean when it’s not being used for cooking since the accessories can simply be removed after the meal.
Pricing and availability
At the time of writing, Flare lists the following U.S. prices for its grilling accessories:
- Swing Frame: US$355
- Cast Iron Grill: US$50
- Stainless Steel Grill Plate: US$240
- Cast Iron Hot Plate: US$65
The Swing Frame is designed specifically for compatible Flare Outdoor Fireplaces, using the factory-installed stainless steel inserts built into the fireplace structure.
Final thoughts
The Flare Outdoor Fireplace Grill offers a different approach to backyard cooking by combining the warmth of an outdoor fireplace with the practicality of a wood-fired grill. Instead of requiring separate spaces for relaxing and preparing food, the modular accessory system allows both activities to happen around the same fire.
With interchangeable cooking surfaces, support for multiple Swing Frames and compatibility with Flare’s growing range of cooking accessories, the system transforms the fireplace into more than just a place to stay warm. It becomes a versatile outdoor entertaining hub where cooking, conversation and the fire all come together.
Source: Flare Outdoor Fireplaces
