Skip to main content

Look, In The Yard! It’s A Grill, It’s A Firepit, It’s a Table!

What exactly is a Jag Grill? Well… it’s a grill. From a company with the word “Jag” in its name. You… probably guessed that already. But a grill from Jag is more than just a place to cook food over fire; it’s also a place to commune, joining friends and family to… cook food over fire. Or to roast marshmallows. Or to dine. Or to sip a glass of wine or a boot of ale as you enjoy a crackling fire.

Related: Barbecue Sauce

Recommended Videos

JAG 6, FIRE PIT, jag grill, outdoor dining, outdoor grillingFor you see, the units produced by Jag Grills provide the “ultimate 3 in 1 social dining experience,” to use the brand’s own words. Each Jag grill can be used as a large fire pit, a charcoal or wood-fired grill, and as a table that can accommodate many diners at the same time.

Now, any old charcoal grill can become a fire pit if you simply build a fire in it. The same is in fact true for oil cans, refrigerators, and the hood of rusted out Datsun: build a fire in it, and you’ve got a fire pit! Sort of. But not everything out there can serve as a grill, a fire pit, and a table all in one evening. It is the modular, versatile construction of a Jag that makes it unique.

While Jag makes two different units (the Jag Six being the smaller option, one that is designed for — you got it — six people), we’re going to focus on their larger, flagship product, the Jag Eight.

JAG 8, FIRE PIT, jag grill, outdoor dining, outdoor grillingThe octagonal Jag Eight offers nine different potential cooking surfaces: the large central octagon, as well as eight different trapezoidal grilling stations (lots of fun with shapes today), each of which abuts a wooden platform. In order to cook with the Jag Eight, you first need to make a large fire or charcoal bed in the middle of the unit. Once that has burned down into nice, hot coals, you can rake as much of those hot embers as you need under any (or all) of the eight removable grill surfaces. The design of the unit makes it easy to cook different foods at different heats, and/or it allows as many as eight chefs to enjoy their own personal grilling station at the same time.

Once the meal is cooked, you have your very own table sitting right in front of you, unless you removed it for easier access to the grill. The table sections can be removed or hooked on in a matter of second, see? Convenient.

FIRE PIT, jag grill, outdoor dining, outdoor grillingOnce the meal is over, just remove the central octagon from the Jag and build a fire back up. Then you and the gang can enjoy a large crackling fire right there at the center of your table. And feel free to roast some marshmallows.

Now, listen here: a Jag Grill doesn’t come cheap. The Six costs around $1500 and the Eight comes in at $2500. But a Jag Grill will serve as the centerpiece, the anchor, if you will, of any outdoor area in which it rests. And it’s always nice to offer vegetarians their very own grill surface, so there’s that, too, you thoughtful guy you.

Steven John
Steven John is a writer and journalist living just outside New York City, by way of 12 years in Los Angeles, by way of…
Pirelli unveils the Scorpion XTM AT, its most extreme all-terrain tire ever
Ultra-aggressive, advanced, and 3PMSF-rated, it's the pinnacle of more than 25 years of Pirelli tire design
Ford Bronco driving through the desert on Pirelli Scorpion XTM all-terrain tires.

Forget rooftop tents and hi-lift jacks and fancy LED light bars, there's arguably nothing more important to a properly kitted-out overlanding rig than a good set of tires. After all, your truck's tires are the only part of the vehicle that maintains constant contact with the ground. That's why you need a tire that balances easy, on-pavement driving with meeting the demands of more extreme off-road conditions. Enter: Pirelli's new Scorpion XTM all-terrain tire.

"XTM" stands for "Extreme" performance, so it's no surprise that this is Pirelli's most extreme all-terrain tire ever. It features ultra-aggressive styling, a high-void tread pattern, and more advanced technology that's purpose-built for truck and off-road enthusiasts looking to explore deep into the North American backcountry. The large-tread-block design extends into the upper sidewall for improved traction and durability. It's a design that excels in the gnarliest off-road conditions most overlanders are likely to encounter, such as mud, dirt, sand, or gravel. Plus, reinforced shoulder technology adds protection from obstacles, including sharp gravel and jagged rock overhangs. One especially clever feature is the Scorpion XTM's built-in "rock ejectors," which are designed to automatically shed rocks embedded in the tire's deep treads.

Read more
Should you go hiking in sandals? It depends
Hiking in sandals: When to do it and how to find the best fit
Man hiking in sandals

Have you ever trudged through a trail, feet sweaty from unbreathable shoes? I certainly have. Believe it or not, sandals aren't just for the beach. They're actually a legit hiking option if you have the right pair and use them in the right scenarios. Honestly, I'm more of a trail running shoe or hiking shoe kind of gal, but there are specific scenarios when I might be tempted to trade them for a pair of sandals. And there are times when wearing sandals while hiking makes sense and times when they don't. Here's everything you need to know about hiking in sandals and how to find the best pair for your hiking needs.
Here's when hiking in sandals makes sense
Warm and dry conditions

When I lived in Arizona, hiking with my hiking boots or even my precious trail running shoes was a bit uncomfortable. For one, warm and dry conditions left my feet feeling confined and, ultimately, gross. One of the best parts of the day was heading home and washing my feet. That's when I was first introduced to the idea of hiking in sandals. Sandals will keep your feet ventilated, letting sweat evaporate fast. You may even find that you get fewer blisters throughout the season. Just make sure that you apply sunscreen so you don't get an unintentional tattoo of your sandal straps.
Wet conditions
While there's nothing wrong with wearing good water-repellant shoes while hiking in wet conditions, they can get soggy and take forever to dry if you end up accidentally stepping in too deep a puddle. Sandals tend to dry much faster than hiking boots or sneakers, so bring them on trails where you can expect stream crossings or coastal paths.
Low-impact trails
If you're planning on going on a low-impact hiking trail, particularly a paved one, you won't need heavy-duty hiking shoes. Sandals will be lighter on your feet, and the trail is easier, so there's less of a need for support or protection.
Here's when wearing sandals for hiking doesn't make sense

Read more
Tired of packed campgrounds? Farm camping might be your new favorite getaway
The camping alternative that's gaining popularity
Chickens in the grass in front of a white tent

Camping's popularity continues to grow, and outdoor enthusiasts are seeking less crowded solutions, from off-grid dispersed camping to luxury glamping. As a full-time traveler, I can attest that farm camping strikes the perfect balance between the two. I've camped in a lavender farm nestled in the California hills, an apple orchard in the heart of New England, and in an Airstream in Washington state's lush rainforest. These alternatives offer the natural respite of a campsite with the authentic charm of farm life.
Are you wondering how to find the perfect farm camping stay and what to expect once you get there? Here's everything you need to know to find and book the perfect farm-side experience.

What is farm camping, and what should you expect?

Read more