We started in a garage

The beginning

1998

Our story began in a garage that was 20’ square with a 7’ ceiling. As the story goes, Chris Engelbrecht got tired of the box store grills quickly failing and being a metal fabricator by trade decided to make his own grill, built the way he wanted. The company Fire-Pit grills was named in 2000.

Changes

2005

With the leap of moving out of the garage in 2005, Fire-Pit Grills evolved and focused on building large trailer-mounted grills.

What also began to form was the idea and the now infamous, award winning 1000 series.

Time to pivot

2008

In 2008, sales in other states and countries grew and Fire-Pit Grills was renamed Engelbrecht Grills and Cookers.

Persistence

With the recession of 2008, the trailer-mounted grill sales slowed to a halt with the last production model ending in 2013. What began was the determination, persistence and the desire to conquer that hardship. Simply put, just focus on building what we wanted, which is a very well crafted American wood burning grill.

new era

Prior to 2008 the 1000 series was in its early design stages with around 8 being built. The focus was placed on the 1000 series and was named the Original Braten. After its early design changes the Original Braten quickly took center stage. The Braten campfire grills came to fruition in 2010; quickly becoming popular and obtaining its own award-winning notoriety.

2011

Gizmodo calls the 1000 series the “toughest backyard grill in the world”.

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Barbecue Addiction with Bobby Flay premiers on the Food Network with the Original 1000 series.

2012

The White House requests a 1000 Series to be built as a State gift.

2013

Amazingribs.com named the 1000 series top ten grill five years in a row finally landing at Platinum level.

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Bobby Flay writes Barbecue Addiction cookbook naming the 1000 series as his favorite grill.