Why the Ember Maker Sits at the Back

When Ben and Tom designed the first Somerset Grill, putting the Ember Maker at the back wasn't a decision that needed much debate. It's how Ben learned to cook. The grill on the yacht that started it all had its fire at the rear, and that layout just felt right.

What Is an Ember Maker?

The Ember Maker is the dedicated chamber at the rear of the Asado and Grande where you build and maintain your fire throughout the cook. In Argentina, the firebox is called a brasero. The Ember Maker is our version, inspired by it.

You don't cook directly over the Ember Maker. You cook over the embers it produces.

Why the Back?

With the Ember Maker at the rear, embers fall naturally across the back of the grill bed. You use the ember rake to draw them straight forward under the cooking surface. More embers forward means higher heat. Fewer means lower.

This is how the Asado and Grande cover 40–400°C. The Ember Maker keeps the fire going. You decide how much of it to use.

Adding wood is straightforward. The fire and the cooking surface work independently. If the heat is where you want it, leave the Ember Maker alone. If you need more, add a log.

"Putting the fire to the side is like putting Baby in the corner. The fire is half the joy. Don't hide it."
Ben

Don't Put Fire in the Corner

We wanted the fire at the back, in full view. It changes the feel of the cook.

The Ember Maker sits at the back because that's where it belongs, part of the cook.

Related: The Ember Maker: The Heart of Every Somerset Grill · What Is an Asado Grill? · Santa Maria Grill vs Argentinian Grill