About CRATERFLAME®
Our Story
In the heart of Transylvania, our family carries on a centuries-old tradition of craftsmanship, passing down the art of forging and working with metal and wood through multiple generations.
We design with the planet in mind, using eco-friendly materials and ensuring our grills are built to last for generations.
At our company, we place great emphasis on environmental awareness in everyday work. Different aspects of sustainability have been considered during the design and manufacturing stage of the product. Accordingly, we have paid special attention to low energy consumption, optimized use of materials and lean machining processes.
CRATERFLAME® is more than just a business—it is a mission. We bring together the harmony of nature and functionality, blending natural aesthetics with engineering precision.
Our Achievements
Since its launch, the CRATERFLAME® Meteorite Grill has received international recognition, including the European Design Awards 2024, the Platinum London Design Award 2025, and the World Green Sustainable Design Award 2026 — honors that reflect our commitment to innovation and outdoor living.
Partner Chefs
CRATERFLAME® is trusted by culinary professionals who demand precision, versatility, and uncompromising quality from their tools. These are the chefs who put our grill to the test — every day, in every season.
István Vajda
With over 20 years of experience, István Vajda is the executive chef of Prato Restaurant in Brașov, a landmark in both local and international gastronomy.
With a career that blends excellence, talent, and international recognition, István Vajda brings inspiration and innovation to the use of the CRATERFLAME® grill.
- International Awards: Represented Romania at the World Championship in Luxembourg, earning bronze medals in 2010 and 2014.
- Culinary Education: Graduate of “Master in Culinary Arts” and “Specialist in Vegetarian and Dietetic Cuisine” programs.
- Professional Experience: Extensive work in prestigious restaurants in Romania and France, specializing in Italian and Provençal cuisine.
- Global Recognition: Member of the Disciples Escoffier International Association and the National Association of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Romania.
"For me, CRATERFLAME® represents the perfect blend of design, functionality, and a passion for gastronomy. It's more than just a grill; it's a tool that turns any outdoor cooking into a memorable culinary experience. Its versatility allows me to prepare anything, from simple recipes to sophisticated dishes, with the same level of precision and elegance. I recommend this product to any culinary enthusiast looking to explore new levels of creativity."
Iulian Dumitrescu
With a career spanning over 30 years, Pizza Chef Iulian Dumitrescu is recognized as one of the most experienced pizzaioli in Romania.
His journey began in 1991 at one of the country's first wood-fired pizzerias and has since inspired and perfected the art of authentic pizza making.
- International Awards: Gold medalist at the Istanbul Gastronomy International Festival 2015.
- Culinary Expertise: Specialist in advanced pizza-making techniques, providing training and mentorship to new generations of chefs.
- Professional Experience: Led and collaborated with renowned restaurants across Romania, acting as an ambassador for authentic Italian cuisine.
- Global Recognition: Member of the Euro East Alternative Cultural Association (ACEEA) and the World Association of Chefs' Societies (WACS).
"CRATERFLAME® is more than just a grill - it's a tool that inspires creativity and passion in outdoor cooking. I have discovered that this product not only delivers performance but also versatility, making it ideal for preparing authentic pizzas and other innovative dishes. With CRATERFLAME®, any chef can elevate their culinary art to the highest level, whether in a restaurant or their own garden."
Sándor Kis
With deep Transylvanian roots and decades devoted to live-fire cooking, Sándor Kis is a chef whose work is defined by tradition, instinct, and mastery of the grill.
Sándor Kis's approach to cooking is rooted in respect for fire as both a tool and a living element. His work focuses on the harmony between heat, smoke, and raw ingredients, drawing from traditional Transylvanian cooking while embracing modern grill techniques. Whether in the restaurant kitchen or at live grill events, his goal is not just to prepare food, but to create an experience that connects people to flavor, tradition, and the outdoors.
- Transylvanian Heritage: Drawing inspiration from the flavors, techniques, and fire-based cooking traditions of Transylvania.
- Live-Fire Mastery: Decades of hands-on experience exploring the balance of fire, smoke, and ingredients in outdoor cooking.
- Culinary Philosophy: Blending traditional recipes with modern grill techniques to create memorable, experience-driven dishes.
- Educator and Demonstrator: Through grill demonstrations and grill schools, sharing the philosophy that outdoor cooking is a true art.
"For me, CRATERFLAME® embodies freedom and passion. It is more than a grill, it's a tool that brings back the atmosphere of cooking around an open fire in Transylvania, while delivering top-tier performance in the world of grilling. In my experience, the versatility of CRATERFLAME® makes it possible to unite traditional flavors with modern creativity in every single dish. This is the grill where a love of fire and a passion for gastronomy meet in a new dimension."
Michael Meierhofer
With over 30 years of grilling expertise, Michael Meierhofer is an AMA Certified Grill Trainer and Meat Expert, leading an AMA Certified grill school.
As founder of the BBQ-Hoamat grilling club and team in 2015, Michael Meierhofer has built a legacy of competitive excellence and passionate education in the art of grilling. His dedication to the craft extends beyond personal achievement to nurturing the next generation of grill masters.
- Championship Achievements: 2-time State Champion, 4-time Vice State Champion, and 2-time Styrian State Champion with numerous additional podium finishes.
- International Success: Achieved remarkable results with his international team at BBQ World Championships in Belgium and Intercontinental Cups in Costa Rica and Chile.
- Professional Certification: AMA Certified Grill Trainer and Meat Expert, leading an AMA Certified grill school that maintains the highest standards of grilling education.
- Community Leadership: Active presence at signature events including Alm Wintergrillen auf der hohen Veitsch, Late Night Shopping Trachten Wernbacher, and the Kindberger Stadtfest.
"CRATERFLAME® is an innovative design combined with a refined, elegant look and true versatility. High-quality accessories ensure nothing is left to chance. Easy and intuitive to use, so both beginners and professionals can create impressive dishes with confidence."
Dániel Zákány
Founder of Grillacademy (Grillakadémia), Dániel Zákány revives the ancient connection between man and fire through BBQ workshops and unique hospitality experiences.
At Grillacademy, the collaboration between man and fire is translated into food preparation over smoldering charcoal and crackling flames. Their private courtyard offers a peaceful retreat where guests can recharge in the embrace of nature, experiencing BBQ & GRILL techniques through wood and charcoal-fired ovens that create distinctive, unforgettable flavors.
- Grillacademy Vision: Reviving the ancient relationship between man and fire through food preparation over charcoal and crackling flames.
- Events & Workshops: Hosting Bistro Thursdays, Grillacademy workshops, and presenting at numerous domestic festivals and private events throughout the year.
- Private Venue: A peaceful courtyard retreat where guests can escape the noise of the world and recharge in the embrace of nature.
- Distinctive Approach: Using wood and charcoal-fired ovens to create unique flavors that define the Grillacademy experience.
"At Grillacademy, we are always looking for tools that give grill enthusiasts a real experience and reliable performance. The CRATERFLAME® oven is exactly that: its solid design, even heat distribution and versatility allow beginners and advanced users to prepare outstanding dishes. I especially appreciate that it inspires creativity and guarantees professional results at the same time - it can be a real centerpiece of any garden grill."
Our Partners
We're proud to work alongside brands and professionals who bring CRATERFLAME® into their kitchens, competitions, and communities.
BBQ-Hoamat
Kitchen Bastards
Grill Academy
Partner Story
Why Kitchen Bastards cook on CRATERFLAME®
Read their story
Andreas and Matthias are the two brothers behind Kitchen Bastards — a company dedicated to bold, honest outdoor cooking with no compromises.
We don't go for the ordinary. Not for mass-produced goods. And certainly not for products without soul. That's exactly why we celebrate CRATERFLAME®.
CRATERFLAME® doesn't just build grills — they create fire pits with character. Raw, uncompromising, reduced to the essentials. Steel, heat, flame. No gimmicks, no marketing nonsense. Just honest outdoor cooking that demands respect for the fire.
What convinces us about CRATERFLAME®:
- Radical honesty in the product — no frills, just function and design
- Massive steel & long-lasting quality — built for years, not just seasons
- Cooking over open fire — archaic, direct, pure
- A statement in the garden — CRATERFLAME® is not a device, but a centerpiece
Our products — spice blends, sauces, and recipes — are made to be used on real fire. On steel. On heat. On CRATERFLAME®. Less compromise. More character. More flavor. More experience.
— Andreas & Matthias, Kitchen Bastards