I’m all fired up about the Lotus grill
9.6.2023
Translation: Patrik Stainbrook
Let those barbecue purists turn up their noses. My meat, sausages and vegetables will only be grilled the Lotus way from now on.
«The best barbecue is always the one you actually fire up,» as Swiss World BBQ champion Grill-Ueli once said. Or was it a different grill master? Doesn’t matter; where there’s smoke, there’s fire. In simpler terms, the quote carries a spark of truth. And a spark, as we all know, is enough to light a roaring fire.
I know plenty of people who own a luxurious smoker or a fat charcoal grill, sitting in a corner of their terrace or balcony wrapped up nice and tight for 355 days a year. Its complicated grilling procedure is only used on special occasions.
Fire always entails smoke, soot and ash. Cleaning therefore takes at least as long as the grilling. And that’s just no fun.
As expected, anyone with a gas grill will now counter that they roast their cervelat outside over a gas fire, even in winter. True, gas grills really are ultra-fast and uncomplicated. Some fans even have a fully equipped kitchen with several burners on their balcony.
For me, this is out of the question for three reasons. Firstly, grills such as these take up too much space. Secondly, I don’t want a gas canister on my balcony, it doesn’t feel right. And third, a sausage from a gas grill doesn’t taste much different to a sausage from a pan. When it comes to fire, smoky flavours are a must.
The genius simplicity of a Lotus grill
For years, I was on Team Charcoal, never using my kettle grill more than once a month. A quick barbecue in the evening after work? Too much work. Until I tried the Lotus grill for the first time.
Here’s how it works: I place fine pieces of charcoal into a grid cylinder and close the lid. This uses way less coal than a normal grill. I spray firing paste onto a round plate, lighting it and placing the vessel with the charcoal on top. Then I turn the knob on the outside of the grill. This turns on an electric fan that blows air through the fire from below.
The small fire can now spread ideally due to the chimney effect. In other words, hot air is drawn upwards through the charcoal. It glows perfectly within ten minutes – I can turn down the air supply and put on meat or vegetables. A welcome side effect: thanks to efficient combustion, the Lotus grill practically doesn’t create smoke at all, leaving your neighbours in peace.
Source: Lorenz Keller
All in all, it takes less than 15 minutes from deciding I want to put something on the grill to a sizzling result. Cooking the meat, sausages or vegetables takes a similar amount of time as with a conventional charcoal grill.
The burning time is enough for two full rounds, after which the coal is just ash. Cooling down doesn’t take as long as a normal grill due to the smaller size. I can just dump the ash out afterwards, no mess. The grill grate, charcoal container and other parts can be cleaned in the dishwasher. Finally, I simply wash out the permanently installed grill tray with a sponge or cleaning cloth. And the Lotus grill is ready for use again.
Ideal for an after work barbecue
Since everything can be done so quickly and efficiently, I sometimes spontaneously fire up the grill in the evening. I then quickly empty the ash and start the dishwasher before work the next morning. Overall, my new favourite Lotus is almost as efficient as a gas grill – but meat and vegetables just taste better to me with charcoal.
Of course, I won’t hide its disadvantages. The grill needs rechargeable or normal batteries – but a charge lasts very long, and newer models with a USB port can also be operated via a powerbank. Due to the technology used, Lotus grills are quite expensive compared to an entry-level grill.
Source: Lorenz Keller
What bothers me the most is that heat distribution on the grate isn’t nice and even, as the embers are centrally located and can’t be moved around. I have to do things a little differently: sear in the centre and cook through on the edges.
The smallest version of the Lotus Grill is big enough for our family. It’s so portable that I can even take it on a picnic. I can grill without a fire risk or burning holes in the lawn or creating waste.
However, there are also much larger models and other manufacturers that use the same principle. There’s a favourite grill out there for everyone – one they’ll actually use often.
If you disagree and prefer to grill with gas or charcoal, feel free to roast me in the comments.
Header image: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
lorenz.keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.