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Small Charcoal Grill Glossary

New to charcoal or to the Slot Grill? Here are the terms used across this site, in plain English, with a link to where each one matters most.

Air gap: The space between the table or ground and the bottom of the coal bed. On the Slot Grill Compact it's 2⅞" (3⅝" on the Full Size), which helps minimize radiant heat to the surface below. More →
Ash over: When lit charcoal develops a light coat of gray ash on top. It's the sign the coals are ready to pour and cook on. More →
Briquettes: Uniform pressed charcoal with binders. Steady, longer heat; more ash. More →
Carbon monoxide (CO): A colorless, odorless, deadly gas produced by burning charcoal. The reason charcoal grills are only ever used outdoors in the open. More →
Carbon steel: Steel made mostly of iron and carbon. Raw carbon steel is strong and holds heat well, and like cast iron it is seasoned to resist rust and release food. More →
Carryover cooking: The rise in internal temperature after food comes off the heat. Pull steaks a few degrees below target. More →
Chimney starter: A metal tube that lights charcoal quickly and evenly using paper or starters underneath, with no lighter fluid. More →
Cool zone: The thin or empty end of a two-zone fire, used to finish, hold and rescue food. More →
Direct heat: Cooking right over the coals. Fast, high heat for searing and thin foods. More →
Dry brine: Salting meat ahead of time, uncovered, so it seasons deeper and the surface dries for a better sear. More →
End pieces: The two short panels of a Slot Grill, with SLOT GRILL cut into the steel. On the Compact they're universal and face text-out. More →
Flare-up: Flames caused by fat dripping onto hot coals. Move food to the cool zone instead of spraying water. More →
Gauge: A measure of steel thickness; lower numbers are thicker. The Compact is 12-gauge, the Full Size 10-gauge. More →
Griddle (plancha): A flat carbon steel cooking plate. The Slot Grill griddle is designed for the Slot Grill system and comes in half and full configurations. More →
Hand test: Holding your palm over the grill to judge heat: about 2 seconds is high, 4–5 medium, 7+ low. More →
Indirect heat: Cooking beside, not over, the coals. Gentler heat for finishing and longer cooks. More →
Instant-read thermometer: A probe thermometer that reads internal temperature in seconds. The only reliable way to judge doneness. More →
Lump charcoal: Wood charred into charcoal without binders. Lights fast, burns hot, less ash. More →
Polymerization: What happens when a thin film of oil is heated past its smoke point and bonds to steel as a hard, slick seasoning layer. More →
Re-seasoning: Stripping rust or flaky seasoning and rebuilding the coat with thin layers baked on. More →
Rest: Letting cooked meat sit before slicing so juices redistribute. More →
Reverse sear: Cooking gently first, then searing at the end. Great for very thick steaks. More →
Seasoning Balm: Slot Grill's balm for Full Size and Compact grills that creates a durable, non-stick protective coat on raw steel. Apply very thin; bake at 400°F for 1 hour. More →
Sear: High-heat browning that creates a crust and flavor. More →
Side panels: The two long panels of a Slot Grill that lock into a tight V between the end pieces. More →
Smash burger: A ball of beef smashed thin on a very hot flat surface for a lacy, crisp crust. More →
Tab and slot: Slot Grill's tool-free, hinge-free construction: panels lock together by sliding tabs into cut slots. More →
The Spine: A formed steel bottom on the Compact that gives a smooth, safe underside with no loose pieces to pinch your hand. More →
Two-zone fire: A charcoal layout with a hot side and a cool side. The core technique of small-grill cooking. More →
Waves: Cooking food in successive batches on a small grill, holding finished food safely while the next batch cooks. More →

Frequently asked questions

What is a two-zone fire?

A charcoal layout with a hot side and a cool side. The core technique of small-grill cooking.

What does ash over mean?

When lit charcoal develops a light coat of gray ash on top. It's the sign the coals are ready to pour and cook on.

What does steel gauge mean?

A measure of steel thickness; lower numbers are thicker. The Compact is 12-gauge, the Full Size 10-gauge.

What is tab and slot construction?

Slot Grill's tool-free, hinge-free construction: panels lock together by sliding tabs into cut slots.

Slot Grill Compact

12-gauge carbon steel · about 14 lb · 16.25" × 9" cooking area · packs about 1" thick · made in Texas · ★★★★★ 4.92 (77 reviews)

$89.97~~$99.97~~

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