The Cook-Air gains its power from a combination of a wood fire and a five-speed electric ventilator that literally fans the flames. Cata Marketing, Inc., the company that sells the grill, says that it only takes a small piece of wood to start a roaring grill fire. While grilling is a matter of personal preference that will be debated until the end of time, wood fire is often considered the most flavorful type of grilling thanks to the rich, smoky taste that it imparts on your food.
The product is more versatile than other electric-powered grills thanks to its multiple charging options. You can power it with an AC adapter for home use, a car adapter for use at tailgates or other vehicle-based events, or with eight D batteries for use away from the car and home. According to company literature, with the use of the turbo feature on the ventilator, you can get this grill up to 1,100ºF (593ºC) in just five minutes - that'll leave a mark on your meat like few other cooking devices.
The Cook-Air's five fan speeds let you adjust output based on what you're cooking, much like you'd do with a gas grill. A rep we spoke to said that level 5 is good for searing meat like steaks while level 1 is sufficient for lighter, more delicate foods like fish.
The grill is made from stainless steel and weighs around 17 lbs (7.7 kg). The base always stays cool, so that you can keep it on a tabletop without worrying about burning it.
The Cook-Air launched in the United States market last month. It will retail for US$199 and includes both adapters, a cleaning brush, wooden tongs, a retractable warming rack and a carry bag. The $199 "starter kit" also includes a bag of wood pucks and a firestarter pack. Cata also sells additional wood chunks and firestarters separately.
Product Page: Cook-Air