History of the grill:
from caveman to modern technology

Cooking over fire has an ancient and rich history. Many centuries have passed from the moment our ancestors first began to use fire to modern multifunctional grills. Let’s look at the evolution of grilling - from simple fires to high-tech devices. Let’s look at how methods and equipment for cooking over fire have changed over the millennia.

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Ancient Times: From Cavemen to Ancient Greece

Cavemen
The history of grilling begins in primitive times, when our ancestors discovered that meat cooked over a fire is much tastier and easier to digest than raw meat. Anthropologists still debate the exact dates when man first began using fire to cook food, as ancient barbecue tools were likely made of wood and have not survived to the present day.

17th century BC – Ancient Greece
Grills for preparing souvlaki were found in ancient Greece. These are small pieces of meat, skewered and grilled over coals. The grills had slots for skewers and holes for ventilation. Mentions of barbecue are also found in the Iliad and the Odyssey.

Middle Ages and Renaissance: Europe and Asia

Middle Ages - Spit Dogs
In Great Britain, kitchens used "spit dogs" that ran on a wheel, spinning a spit of meat over a fire.

3rd century AD – China and Japan
Kamado ovens appeared in ancient China during the Qin Dynasty. These barrel-shaped clay ovens were used for cooking. In Japan, during the Kofun era, the stove was modified and they began to use coal instead of firewood. This is how Mushikamado, the predecessor of modern ceramic grills, was born.

Age of Discovery: America and Europe

1492 - Spanish "barbacoa"
After Columbus landed in America, the Spaniards discovered that the locals were roasting meat on wooden frames over a fire, calling it "barbacoa".

XVIII-XIX centuries - America and Europe
Grills and barbecues are becoming popular all over the world. In the United States, barbecued pork is becoming a national dish, especially on holidays such as Independence Day.

Industrial Revolution: Charcoal Grills and Gas Grills

1897 - Coal briquettes
Ellsworth BA Zwoyer patents the design of coal briquettes. In 1921, Kingsford Products Company begins mass production of charcoal briquettes using wood scraps from Henry Ford’s Model T assembly lines.

1952 - Weber Grill
George Stephen cuts a metal buoy and creates a dome-shaped grill with a lid and vents. This is how the famous Weber grill was born.

1954 - Portable Gas Grills
McGlauglin invents the first portable gas cylinder-powered grill, known as the LazyMan.

Modern times: ceramic grills and infrared technology

1974 - Big Green Egg
Ed Fisher improves the Japanese kamado oven and creates the Big Green Egg company, which produces ceramic grills. These grills retain heat well and allow you not only to fry, but also to simmer, bake and smoke.

1980s - Infrared Grills
Bill Best invents the infrared burner, which cooks food faster and retains juiciness. Infrared grills became available to home cooks after the patent expired in 2000.

1994 - George Foreman Electric Grills
George Foreman electric grills enter the market, evenly frying food and equipped with reservoirs to drain grease. They are becoming incredibly popular all over the world.

Our days: modern technologies and multifunctional devices

Today, a grill is a multifunctional and convenient device. There are many types of grills: wood, electric, gas and charcoal. You can choose a stationary or portable grill that can not only fry, but also simmer, bake or smoke. The possibilities of modern grills are endless, and the choice is limited only by your culinary imagination.

The evolution of the grill is a fascinating story, showing how it evolved from a primitive piece of equipment into an essential element of the modern kitchen.