The Art of Asado Grilling

Over the past few months, we've explored a variety of outdoor cooking styles here at Backyard Provider — from the hearty flavors of South African braai to step-by-step guides on building your own wood-fired pizza oven. Today, we're turning our attention to a method of cooking that is as deeply social as it is delicious: the Asado.

What Is an Asado?

The word Asado refers to both a technique and a beloved social tradition — the act of gathering around a fire for a long, leisurely barbecue, enjoyed across Argentina, Uruguay, and beyond. It is deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of these countries and is equally at home as a family weekend ritual or a festive community event.

A traditional Asado typically features beef, pork, chicken, and chorizo, all cooked low and slow over a wood-burning fire. The magic lies in the simplicity: no marinades, no rush — just quality meat, steady heat, and good company. The preparation is entrusted to the asador, a respected role earned through years of practice and patience.

At Backyard Provider, we've partnered with specialist Asado grill makers to bring authentic, handcrafted fire cooking equipment directly to your home. Below, we're proud to introduce the brands we work with and why each one stands apart in the world of live-fire cooking.

California Grills

California Grills is a hand-forged brand with roots tracing back to the Santa Maria Valley in central California. Since the early 1900s, the Santa Maria style of grilling has defined outdoor hospitality in the region — hearty cuts cooked over red oak, served to family and neighbours straight from the fire.

The brand has grown into a respected name for those who value craftsmanship above all else. Their grills are engineered for precise height adjustment, allowing the cook to control heat with the finesse that true Asado-style cooking demands. Karen, whose family has been part of the Carpinteria and Samba community for generations, now leads the company and is passionate about sharing the South African and Santa Maria grilling traditions with a wider audience.

Fuegos UK — Argentine Fire, British Craft

Fuegos UK brings the authentic soul of Argentine BBQ to the United Kingdom. This specialist brand produces handmade premium-quality barbecues and grills, with a range that spans from modest backyard setups to restaurant-grade cooking stations valued in the thousands.

Backyard Provider works in collaboration with Fuegos UK to bring their premium Argentine grill hardware to customers across the country. If you're looking for an open-fire cooking experience that truly honours the Asado tradition, look no further.

Savage BBQ — Fire Cage Dining

Savage BBQ has been pushing the boundaries of the live-fire dining experience. Their flagship concept — the Fire Cage, or "The Beast" — has become a destination attraction for restaurants seeking a show-stopping focal point. With a beautifully designed outdoor kitchen at its core, the Fire Cage invites diners to watch their meal cook in real time over a roaring open flame.

Savage BBQ recently partnered with chefs to refine the outdoor cooking methods within the Fire Cage concept, pairing a bespoke menu with the theatrics of Argentine-style grilling. Their seasoning and selection of premium barbecue tools have quickly become trusted favourites in the outdoor cooking community.

Szele Grills — Argentine Craftsmanship at Its Finest

We recently began working with Szele Grills, founded by David, a master craftsman with over a decade of experience perfecting the art of slow fire grilling in Argentina. His barbecues are made from solid wild-pear wood which burns far cleaner and longer than stainless steel alternatives, and each unit is manufactured locally with distribution expanding across the UK and beyond.

David runs cooking masterclasses from multiple outdoor locations across the French Alps, where participants gather around his grills to learn the techniques, patience, and rhythm that define a true Asado. It is an immersive, hands-on experience that changes how you think about outdoor cooking.

Somerset Grill Co. — Accessible Argentine Grilling

Somerset Grill Co. was founded by two friends, Tom and James, with one clear mission: make high-quality Argentine-style grilling accessible and affordable for every backyard cook in the UK. Tom's background as a Navigation Officer in the British Merchant Navy, combined with years spent studying the fine art of fire cooking on land and at sea, gave him the technical foundation to build something genuinely special.

The Somerset Grill stationary model delivers the full Argentine grilling experience without compromise. It's engineered to work beautifully across all BBQ settings — from casual weeknight dinners to ambitious open-fire dinner parties. Their exclusive 10% discount is available on orders placed this summer.