Starry nights, good friends and good food: summer is prime time in Muskoka. But even in deep summer, we crave some firelight and warmth. It’s primal, coded into our DNA. Fire features take us to a new level of comfort and connection.
And there’s something truly fun about enjoying the fire in a solid piece strongly echoing another time. If it also happens to be multi-functional, that’s a big win.
“Fire features create that aesthetic item that people pause, look at, and talk about,” says Peter Briese of Muskoka BBQ and Outdoor Kitchen Centre. “That’s very true of the Cowboy Cauldron, which we’ve added to our line this summer because we ourselves love it so much.”
The Cowboy Cauldron – even the name promises good times – is handcrafted from solid seamless plate steel. It looks and feels like it’ll last forever – and it will, according to Mike Bertelsen, the man who designed it.
“It’s a central element of every party moving forward,” Peter explains. “You can sit around it and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer, and you can cook on it if you wish.” With no tools required to set it up, and adjustable height options, it can fit in anywhere you need it to.
Select dealers can offer four sizes: The Dude, The Urban Cowboy, The Wrangler, and the gargantuan Ranch Boss.
“The Urban Cowboy, Wrangler, and Ranch Boss units have hinged, truss-reinforced grills with a removable charcoal grate,” Peter says. “You can add fuel, adjust your coals, or adjust the interior grates without even removing grill. It’s super easy to work with.”
No matter what size, the cauldron provides a whole evening of entertainment in one bundle. First, enjoy some dinner. Plank salmon, veggie skewers, burgers, Cajun grilled corn – it can handle anything a standard grill can hold. Later, remove the grill and it’s a crackling fire pit with a frontier feel.
Its versatility is definitely what sets it apart from more decorative fire features. It can throw some serious heat, too, which makes it useful for a wider season. The deep bowl design blocks wind, weather and protects boisterous guests from easy contact with flames. Chilly night? Tuck your feet right under that cozy bowl of fire.
If you have a quieter, less crowded communion in mind, the cauldron is perfect. The slight pendulum sway of the suspended fire bowl adds a meditative quality to the already-mesmerizing fire. If that’s not the heart and soul of relaxation right there, what is?
“This is definitely a fire feature that can be enjoyed by all ages,” says Peter. “Kids love it because it’s nothing like what they’re used to seeing, and adults love the classic nod to another, simpler time.”
Just like camping, but better.
TEXT Marnie Woodrow
PHOTOS scott turnbull
