Burch Barrel Review: Grill, Smoker and Fire Pit Combo
The Burch Barrell is a charcoal or wood-fired grill with a really unique design. You can grill, smoke, bake, or just hang out by the fire.
It is more than just a grill, it is an experience and stands alone with nothing else like it on the market.
I’ve owned my Burch Barrel for over six months and have put the grill through rigorous testing. In this Burch Barrel review, I will break down all the details so you can see if this is the right grill for you.
The story of Burch Barrell
The story of Burch Barrel goes back to owner Roby Burch’s desire to create a suspended fire pit. Using a 55-gallon drum and a few chains he constructed a rugged contraption that he would bring to college tailgates and parties. Eventually, Roby would quit his full-time job and would further develop the prototypes into what the Burch Barrel is today.
Burch Barrel Grill & Fire Pit Combo specifications:
Weight | 45 lbs – barrel weight 20 lbs – tripod weight |
Tripod Height | 81″ to 84″ |
Tripod Footprint | 60” circle |
Grill Diameter | 18” |
Exterior Body & Lid Material | 1.25 mm cold rolled carbon steel |
Coating | Durable high-heat-resistant coating |
Insert & Lock Collar Material | 304 stainless steel |
Grill Grate Material | 6mm 304 stainless steel, 18″ |
Price | Check Latest Price |
What I like:
- Versatile: Can grill, smoke, and use as a fire pit.
- Tons of control: Can make quick adjustments with coal/ fire height, tripod, etc.
- Fun: An experience for your fire and food.
What I don’t like:
- Height: The tripod is tall, so it may have issues in some spaces.
Unboxing and assembly
Setting up the grill is pretty easy. It has a tripod that can be put together rather quickly and the barrel is designed with hooks to connect the grill in place.
The legs of the tripod are adjustable in two places: at the feet and about halfway up where the barrel connects to the tripod. This gives you flexibility when leveling the grill, depending on what surface it is being used on. The pulley with hook attaches to the pistol grip and connects to the barrel lid.
Set up can be done with one person in under an hour, however, you may need a second person when it comes to connecting the barrel.
Grilling on the Burch Barrel
The Burch Barrel is very easy to grill on. You can use charcoal or hardwood as your fuel source.
The barrel heats up quickly, and the heat control rails allow you to raise or lower the heat source to adjust accordingly. The side vents open to allow more oxygen draft, and it is double wall insulated to keep the outside of the barrel cool.
Smoking on the Burch Barrel
Smoking on the Burch Barrel is very unique and really fun once you get the hang of it. The way I smoke is to place the coal basket all the way at the bottom of the barrel. Then after I have placed my food on top of the grill grates I fasten the lid to the lock collars on the grates and raise it up until I’m smoking at the right temperature.
This locking feature was a little tricky to get used to at first, but with a little practice, it’s pretty easy. I noticed as I used the grill more, it became easier to fasten the lid to the grill.
Burch Barrel Fire Pit
The Burch Barrel can also be used as a fire pit. If standing around a fire pit is your thing, this would certainly work great. If you are the sit-down and relax-by-the-fire type, you may want to look into a different setup that’s more ground-level.
Should you buy the Burch Barrel Grill & Fire Pit Combo?
The Burch Barrel is a fun and innovative grill that takes backyard cooking to a whole new level. From the pistol grip slider, which assists in moving the lid up and down, to the heat control rails and the ability to use different fuel sources, the Burch Barrel is one of a kind.
This is a grill that has been thought out, and every feature takes that into account. It’s a grilling system where you can gather with friends around fire and food.