Audio By Carbonatix
A man named Keith has hypnotized TikTok with his portable Slot Grill (@slotgrill) invention. It has even prompted comments suggesting he patent the product or go on Shark Tank. But is the Slot Grill really the first of its kind?
In the viral video, Keith introduces himself as the creator of the Slot Grill. A Slot Grill is a portable barbecue grill that folds flat for convenient storage. He explains that it can be assembled without tools and demonstrates this by first removing the screws holding the handles in place on one side of the grill.
Keith takes one of the end pieces that says “Slot Grill” on it and affixes a side panel into it by sliding it into the grooves of the end piece. He then does the same on the other side so the grill is half constructed. Next, he takes the second side piece and attaches it to the first by inserting it into three slots. The two ridges on top of the side piece slide easily together into the slots of the end pieces.
“It’s locked together,” Keith says.
He shakes the grill to demonstrate. He adds, “Really sturdy.”
Keith then places the cooking panel on the top before showing that you can store the screws by screwing them into holes in the base of the grill. The handles those screws were originally securing can be hooked into the cooking surface to lift it up and set it aside or to quickly lift it to adjust charcoal while cooking. As can be surmised, the charcoal goes under the cooking surface in the crevice created between the two side panels.
Keith says he makes the grills in Southeast Texas. And they can be shipped to customers’ doors. He also mentions that they have quality you can hear, noting that the metal is “thick, thick stuff.”
‘I Don’t Even Grill But I Want One’
In the comments section, viewers were quite impressed with the product. Beyond advising Keith to do everything he can to protect the product from big companies, viewers also offered suggestions on how he could improve it.
“Make one that will fit in a harley davidson saddlebag,” one offered. “You’ll increase your customer base.”
A second said, “Definitely nice job, looks well made. It would be nice if there was a stand for it. I hope you do well!”
Many suggested a carrying case. One wrote, “Very cool you should have some kind of bag to carry it in because it’s going to be greasy and dirty.”
Another advised accessories, like “slot grill stand. Hanging brush holder, storage bag etc.”
The one complaint, aside from price, is that people said they were too impatient to wait for the grill to cool off so they could disassemble and store it. Many viewers asked Keith to make a video on what it’s like to cool and disassemble the product. But he does not appear to address this in any of his videos. However, he does address concerns about whether the grill will warp, last more than one use, or can be properly cleaned. Keith says the grill can definitely be used multiple times without warping. He also says if you want the grill to maintain its new look, bring it to your home and wash it the way you’d wash dishes.
How Much Does It Cost, And Where Can I Get One?
The grill costs $150 and can be purchased from TikTok Shop, slotgrill.com, or precisioncutmetals.com. The latter two options route to the same webpage.
Keith mentioned in the comments section of a video that he has a larger size available. But at present, there seems to be only one size available on TikTok Shop and the websites.
Keith has sold 61 Slot Grills on TikTok Shop and received a rating of 5 stars based on three global reviews.
Is The Slot Grill The First Of Its Kind?
Some users suggested Keith patent the item. Others pointed out that it has been around for a little while.
“This was on market i[n] Europe back in 2020,” one said.
A second said, “In Europe you have that in every grocery store. It’s called picnic grill. It cost like 2~3 euro and is 1 time use, which is brilliant and i love it personally. Or you can pay 10-15 euro to get yourself something looking exactly like that on the video. So uhh.. America reinventing things again?”
If you search “x-grill” on Google, you will find many foldable grills that look like the Slot Grill. According to Google Gemini, there is not enough evidence to say the Slot Grill is the original x-grill. It notes that a patent granted in 1962 demonstrates that the concept of a foldable grill was around since at least the ‘60s. However, the patent has since expired, and BroBible does not have access to the patent link. So we cannot see the foldable grill to determine how similar it is to the Slot Grill.
Google Gemini notes that the x design is likely a newer feature of portable grills. But it does not provide a date for when this feature first appeared. However, it becomes clear that the Slot Grill is not the first when you consider this Picnic Time x-grill at Home Depot has reviews dating back to 2015. Keith made his first video on the Slot Grill in 2024.
Keith Should Protect His Intellectual Property
Looking for a grill like the Slot Grill will net you several results. Many of them are from Walmart, and many of them sport the Slot Grill brand. A version that appears smaller and less durable can be purchased from Walmart for $8.90 or $16.86. Versions sporting the Slot Grill brand can be purchased from Walmart for $34.39, $36.62, and $54.99.
The $54.99 one comes with accessories viewers suggested the Slot Grill have, including:
- 1 PC Grilling Tongs
- 1 PC Oil Brush
- 1 PC Cleaning Brush
- 1 PC Scald-Proof Gloves
- 1 PC Storage Bag
Even one for $39.99 that doesn’t have the Slot Grill brand features a still taken from one of Keith’s videos, as do several of the other listings.
So, regardless of whether he’s the first to make an x-grill, it seems Keith would be wise to heed viewers’ advice about protecting his intellectual property. More than a few companies appear to be using his brand name and marketing materials.
What’s The Difference Between The Slot Grill And Its Competitors?
In a July 3 video, Keith compares the Slot Grill to one of the smaller, less sturdy versions we previously mentioned. Off the bat, the difference is clear as the Slot Grill drawfs the other product and features a much more substantial cooking surface. To show just how unsuitable the competitor’s product is, Keith takes the cooking grate and easily crumples it in his hands.
“You think this is gonna last you?” he questions. “No, it’s a joke.”
In comparison, he says the Slot Grill is 28 pounds of 10-gauge steel that will last you a “lifetime.”
BroBible contacted Keith via TikTok comment and direct message.
Content shared from brobible.com.