🔵 Improved? Lodge Sportsman's Pro Grill Review | Teach a Man to Fish 

How to PERFECT Reverse Sear Steak: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-XZlUPe517LE.htmlsi=pF8sRW9WhduDZ-XT

Update: It was operator error on the wobbly base, in my zealous assembly I "overtightened" the nuts. Once loosened it straightened right up. Check this make your own charcoal video that also has LSG Pro cooking in it, you see the base is stable now: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vLMpGfcdo0Q.html

Great Review! Thank you very much for for the shout out. I’m glad to know that the BSR shallow fish fryer still fits. I also have the Kickoff grill, I like it because it’s round and Dutch ovens and skillets fit it quite well. I also have a set of those Tupperware burger containers. The steaks and burgers looked wonderful.

Honestly, probably one of the best no BS reviews I've seen in a long time! Those steaks and burgers looked so delicious. Thank you for taking time to film, edit and post this video. Liked and subscribed.

Great Review! Thanks for taking the time to really go through the parts and highlight the changes. Lodge never really showed us a walk around in their release video, NOW I'm ready to buy!

That wobble on the unit was a concern for me as well. I do use the Lodge dutch oven steel table for my Sportsman's Grill. Very nice having the three sides shielded. It's completely portable and you can get a carrying case as well. So glad they removed the Lodge logo in the middle. That has always driven me crazy!

Thanks for the tips. Just got the Kickoff and I really like it. Only two pieces plus two handles. A little less cooking space, but enough for two to four pieces. What I like most is the coals last longer with less flare ups and a lower temperature at the grill top. Great for slow cooking larger pieces and perfect for things like kabobs. All in all, love both my lodge grills and all of their cookware. More tips please.

Great review! Best I've seen for any product. Straight to the point and very informative. I'm sure I will be getting the new grill in the future. I have the old one, but I like the simplicity of the new one (and the rectangular shape). I'm sure I will miss the door on the front. Also, glad to know my old BSR shallow fish fryer and my Lodge deep fish fryer (the one with the duck scene on the lid) will still fit. Thanks for showing the ash drawer in detail. My wife will be alot happier. On the old one, I line the bottom with aluminum foil and, once the ashes have cooled, I dump the foil/ashes in the trash. The process of bringing it in from the deck, and through the kitchen, usually results in me spilling some ash on the kitchen floor. I tell her it's a small price to pay for great steaks.

Love the video and the shout out to Big Lew. I am liking what you are showing us. Really appreciate the walk through.

Great job Matt! Glad to see you're getting some recognition for all that work on those Grills!

Great video, Mark! You did a really good job with a fair and honest review.

I have the Kick Off grill. Very versatile. I has a griddle option and grill side like the Double Play griddle, Easily vented and easy to clean, A #8 pan sits on it perfectly.

Great review, just purchased one. Before watching

Very nice Matt! Great review, my brother. It looks like Lodge addressed a few issues we had with the older style. The steaks and burgers looked great, too, buddy! Have a great weekend, my friend!

Great Review. The steaks look great! I purchased the grill today. Initially i tightened the two bolts too much. It wobbled quite a bit. I found that loosening them allowed the grill to sit more flat.

I have the older original grill, it still works great. For those looking for a grill to take camping, you can’t go wrong with both versions.

I do see a hot spot in the center after you turned those steaks. If you notice the out sides of the steaks are more charred after flipping that's because they were to the center before flipping. That is due to the air vents being centered on both sides. I'd move the charcoal a little more to the sides and a bit less in the middle. But thats the fun of it, finding the quirks and then bringing ones skills to achieve balance.

I have a older Sportsman. I took WELDING WIRE and cut 15 inch or so long pieces, then I tied off the air vent door and the fire door, one tied to the left and one to the right handles of the main body. SCARED ME A FEW times when I knocked the fire door open and it flung out fast. NOW IF THEY FALL THEY WONT HIT THE CONCRETE DRIVEWAY AND BREAK. I used leather work gloves to handle the grill if needed, they work as long as its fast and on the furthest parts from the center hottest grill area. I also store the entire everything and a flat lodge iron grill on top into a big plastic tool box i found and it all fits nice and protected and easy to carry in a clean tool box.

I think it was Big Lews video I saw that you need to back off the bolt on the leg so I will level back into place. By over tightening you turn the leg cattywampus

love the classic design, but this one looks more high tech some how. might pick one up next year.

I just received my new LSG. I don’t have the uneven issue that you did. I tightened the bolts to just firm and the grill sits level.

Sir. You have like all the cool accessories. Cast iron skillet spatula. Hamburger molds. Tomahawk axe. Great video. I may buy a Sportsman Grill for our overnight fishing trips.

When I heard they were going to roll out the sportsman's grill again. I came back to the channel to hear the review, oh and you still sound like Marty Stouffer lol, great vid.

Don't know if the best part of this video is the solid technical evaluation....or the inspirational music as the perfect steak is sliced...or the free burger tips . As for the new Lodge - some pros and cons with that odd entire sliding base - which has to serve as the vent adjustment as well. Fine as long as it slides smoothly, but the old side vent flap was simpler. For significantly less money, the Gigantex or the Ironmaster looks virtually as good. All these hibachi grills do an amazing job, can be moved, and take up minimal space on a deck or table. Much appreciate the product test.

If you put the grill in its normal setting position while cool of course and loosen the bolts then level the legs up and tension them down evenly going back and forth and not doing one very tight and then the other one tight it will prevent your problem. You tightened the bolts unevenly and too tight. Lodge should have put four bolts instead of two on opposite sides. Re torque the bolts evenly and it will fix your problem.

another RU-vid or a did review on one and if you loosen the bolts just a little bit on the bottom it takes away the wabble

I will miss the "front door". I like access to the coals in operation. I often use the flat of my spatula to tamp lump charcoal so I get the best of high heat and a uniform surface, and the secret to flare ups in high heat is about 5 seconds of diverting the fat drop with a flipper between the culprit (usually a burger or a newly burst sausage) and the coals.

I have the kickoff grill and I’m going to try it out for the first time tomorrow. I’ll let you know how I like it. I do like the fact that it’s only two pieces.

Very nice review. The steaks and burgers looked fantastic. I have been waiting on this to come out for 2 years. I purchased the Kick Off grill when I was unable to get a Sportsman grill. I do like the fact that a skillet and a dutch oven fits the Kick off so well. Still going to have to get one of these though.

BlackIronMedic: excellent review video. Lodge should have used this instead of that crappy livestream with horrible audio. Love that you showed the grate footprint being the same and the fish fryer sitting on top. I can’t believe after 60+ years they didn’t learn from the past that a 3 footprint is better than 4 for stability outdoors. Like that it has less parts but I will miss adding coals or poking the fire through that access door. Funny how the launch video touted the extra sq inches of cooking space but shown side by side it’s literally nothing. I won’t miss that lodge medallion in the middle either. Love the Gris spatula, made a few myself but none that nice.

Looks like a Great Upgrade.

I own the old style and would like to get this new grill. Thanks for the review video great job.

So, I have my oval fish fryer filled with two gallons of 375 degree oil, I need to add charcoal to keep the party going.

Everyone who put this grill together had the same problem with the leveling. They just backed one screw off a quarter turn in that solved the problem.

For leveling, take off the two screws and put the nut on the top and only hand tighten. It worked for me.

Shout out to You, Big Lew and Backwoods Gourmet! Oh and Lewis cast iron

I came across a vid of someone having the same leveling issue as you. He said the two bolts were too tight. He loosened them and that fixed the issue. I must say I don't like the new grill. If you look carefully you really can't damper the grill. It is made to have the damper half open when the ash tray is fully under the grill grate. If you adjust the damper you will cover some of the coals blocking them from getting air. I don't know who thought this thing up!

Great Video Mark, Great Product, shame about the unstableness of it. I was contacted about receiving one of these, but not sure if they where willing to ship to the UK ☹️. Stay Safe 👍🇬🇧

First timer to your channel. Great review and cooking tips. That butter is MAGIC wow thank you for the great camera work and editing 10/10. Rich

Super excited! I ordered one today!

Geez, actually learned a lot here and good review/comparison to the previous generation. Thanks dad!

Finally! I procrastinated on the original and lost. Thanks to ur video I know one like it is available and ordered it. Did it take a whole chimney? Can’t wait and thanks for the review.

Accessories the bail handles from the old one actually fit the new one

I just got the small "kickoff" hibachi style grill because they didn't have the sportsmans available yet........my main critiques of that one is it's heavy and does take a good bit of time to come up to heat.....great for four big burgers at a time........but I would recommend cooking more than just that because of the investment in charcoal, time, effort and cleanup so you get your money's worth with each use.......I gonna start looking for this one at the factory outlet.......don't know if they will have seconds on this one because it is soooo new.

Awesome Review! That’s very Awesome!

Easier to manufacture and 50% more. I love my old one I just really want that old roasting pan that sat on it and the lid doubled as a griddle. Used they want a pretty penny for them. I love steaks and pork chops on that hibachi though. I use foil roasting pans to dome it when cooking larger cuts like bone in split breasts. My carrying bag is a military surplus black canvas bag.

This is awesome I have been wanting one for a while. I also love how you use an old cast iron skillet for a spatula

I like it. BUT I want to know about your GRISWOLD CAST IRON SPATULA!

HOW do you prepare and cook your hamburgers so they don't shrink up and finish to the size and shape of a tennis ball?? I've tried the hole in the center trick, thick, thin, hot coals, not so hot coals, room temp, cold from the refrigerator, making the pattie larger than the bun so it shrinks to fit the bun! Yours look really good. What is your super secret, secret? So, to comment about the 4 legs of the new design. I do not know how true the 4 legs are to a flat surface, but that isn't a difficult problem to correct. What is a problem for both the old and new design is setting up the grill so it's level. I use the Lodge 16-3/4"x9-1/2" griddle on my LSG to cook bacon and scrambled eggs. If the griddle isn't level, the bacon grease runs off too, and over, the lowest point, making one mell of a hess! Scrambled eggs and pancake batter do the same until they've cooked enough to not run away. This is just a suggestion. Get yourself a steel plate big enough for the grill body to sit on plus a few extra inches. Drill thru the corners of the steel plate and weld in some 1/2-13 or 3/8-16 nuts on the 4 corners. Use 1-1/2" or longer hex/carriage head bolts, bolt head down. I use a bullseye level and it's really quick and easy to get my grill setup and level. And I'm a lot less grumpy about the mess!

Thanks for the review vid. Looks to be a really neat grill. For this week, Lodge is having a nice sale on this grill, so I jumped on youtube to check for reviews. Yours was top of the list. I love your diy Griswold spatula! So cool! Did you craft that yourself? 👍

I’m drooling! Looks amazing!

Pretty neat little grill but I can’t think of anything that this does better than the PK GO except for maybe the ash system.

Needs a cover of some type to block wind and increase cooking temp

I’d prefer my old-school one back. Thank you very much.

Thanks for your sharing and I from Hongkong and I use cast iron skillet also

Love the steak "pig tail " flipper... instructions???

thanks

Steaks look really good

Sounds like they did all this redesign to save money and not do much to improve on what was a tried and true classic. I'll keep my original and guard it with my life now that its out of production. Those wobbly feet and the directions on the tray for the draft is a bad design. How you gonna read that when grease and ash build up on it over time and in the dark. The beauty of the Original was it was easy for anyone to jump into grilling with it and figure out how it worked. When you gotta write directions on something you already know its confusing. So they got rid of the draft and charcoal door because people might lose them. But now you gotta worry about losing those handles that pick the grill up? I'm sure plenty of people will be happy with the new grill. But it definitely is not an improvement over the original in my opinion. Just Lodge saving money by labeling something as "New and Improved!". This reminds me of when Coca Cola came out with New Coke back in the 80's. What a failure and they had to bring the Classic recipe back. As we get older we learn that new doesnt always mean better. And the original BSR design was better 💯% Not to mention they raised the price over 80 bucks.

I wish they left the removable coal grate in

Nice, I wanted one but all I had seen was the "kickoff" which did not interest me.

Great review! It should get an award. Just wanted to mention that if you hadn’t already seen Big Lew bbq’s recent upload regarding the sportsman pro grill. He talks about this very problem. The 3 screws in the base are over tightened which results inch the wobble. Check his video out, it’s informative. Consider making a video that would correct this one. Many folks might not consider picking up one of these grills based on that information. I personally wouldn’t for the price. However, knowing that it’s just a over tightening problem, I absolutely plan on buying this thing! Thanks for all that you do. You rock bro!

Enjoyed the review - ordered a couple of items from your list since my LSG is on the way! Excited to get started. Did you cut your Griswold spatula yourself?

I wanted then old one now I want the new one!

Dont like the base at all ! Try camping with uneven ground and the huge flat base wobbles all over . The hand grips are flimsy too. Good video though.

Do you have a link for that spatula?

I’m so happy he posed for you 🤣

Thank you for making a video about Lodge's new grill. I am sorry to say because of all the changes they made, they can no longer call it the Sportsmans Grill. If you look on the net there meny companies that make a squared off grill like Lodge now makes. To tell the truth Lodge has only fallen in line with the other grills. This new grill is no way like the Sportsman's grill. If they wanted to bring out a new grill they should have all 3, the Kickoff, the SPORTSMANS and the New Lodge cast iron grill. Then let us buy what we want. And drop the ones they don't sell. As I see it, this would of been the best way to bring out a new grill. I was VERY disappointed when they dropped the Sportsmans grill and brought out this new grill and called it the Sportsmans Pro. I waited a year for the Sportsmans grill to come back, and as I see it it never did. I think Lodge pulled a switch on us. I think having 3 grill on the market and pulling what did not sell would be the best plan. Please if you think like I do, please give me a thumbs up. I would love to know I am not the only one who thinks this. Thank you for reading this to the end. I know it was long...

You should put all your Carhartt on the grill next. Stad up for freedom

Can you share the link to get the lid and koabob holder and other accessories in your video? Thank you so much.

Hi, at 21 seconds you show an overall cast iron pan, can you tell me please, is it lodge and what exactly is it please as it looks like a perfect match for the Pro grill. Thanks for your help

Save your grate and use the kabab holder for your griddle when using your griddle

I believe the website stated that the new grill is "Crafted in America", but does not confirm that they are "made in USA". Can you tell us where they are manufactured? Thanks, as always for the informative videos. I have been waiting for this new grill to come out. Now i just need to locate one at the best price.

Nm.. You figured it out!

Lodge has a small melting pot. Holds just about two cups. That would have fit on the grill better than your small pan. I quite often use it for small size can of baked beans.

Is the top grill reversible? So the grill is closer to the charcoal?

I have a question I live in a condo and I need to know what's the best table to put the lodge on to so it would not melt the table I live in a small community so I'm kind of limited so I don't know what to look for on the internet do you have any ideas for my Lodge to be put on to

Damascus Beef love it

I was thinking about getting one of these girls but then I realized I had a double sided griddle and Grill that don't use

What kind of ax/knife is that?

I bought a Kickoff grill last year, and find few faults with it. One of the only issues I've never seen addressed with any of these open grills, is, how do you handle wind? The Kickoff grill is advertised as a tail gate grill, but I find it almost useless if there's wind blowing the heat away from the burgers etc. I'm on the fence about buying another open top grill, although I'm a big Lodge fan. The Black Lock line rocks!

That’s a good looking steak 🥩 Mike got one at The National Cornbread Festival so he’s planning a video soon! Great job & love all your accessories!

Liked ur video, Looks like the whole cooker gets super hot.? How long does the coals last on a full fill ? Saying it’s not a windy day, I am guessing this kinda cooker is stay in place till cooled down? And the coals have to all burn out in time to be safe?

Great review. BTW, it is possible your table has become warped making your Pro grill rock.

I’m all for having an Arsenal of grill’s and smokers. I have a cast iron 1/4” thick smoker that can fit 8 racks of ribs, and a Weber kettle grill. I also have a lodge cast iron skillet. while this is definitely cool and great engineering to improve on their design, I don’t see any way you could cook chicken on this without having a fire extinguisher in hand. Therefore I don’t see a reason to purchase this. if you needed something for camping trips, going to the beach, or deer lease it would be good because it’s small and compact. But still…. how would you cook chicken, BUT! If they made something to compete with a Weber kettle then I’m more interested in that

How would you control the flare up / fire if you do not have a cover? Curious

Nice... I watched the “introduction” video yesterday.... I wonder if the value of my old Sportsman’s grill just went up! 😂👍🏻😂... Hey, if the feet of your kabob rack fit both grills, the cooking grate of the new grill should fit the base of the old grill, right?

I wanted a cast iron fry pan for at least 40 years. It happens to be your brand I got and it sticks like crazy. Was going to throw it out, but here I am writing to you. What can I do?…..

Is there a reason why you don't light the charcoal in the grill itself? I noticed you preheated the charcoal before dumping in the grill.

No need to grind the supports to get it level, just loosen the screws holding it together a little, you don't think Lodge could make a straight casting after over 120 years?

Looks like a good cooking grill. Just strange how it won’t sit level?🤔

I think you were a little easy on Lodge. The unit is getting twisted when the (2) screws are torqued. A four screw design should have been used. This has been a common complaint by other users.

Damn I'm hungry now

Do they sell just the grate so I can use it like a Tuscan grill in a wood fired oven?

Same issue with the crooked stand. Have to hand tighten the nuts in orders for them balance right

At 11:37 I see a huge crack in the grate.

can anyone tell me the average weight of this product please??

Do you season the sportsman grill after a cook or after it cools off?

I’d check your table top. Chances are that it’s warped from the heat cooking on it. No matter the cause, you’d think that’d be one thing Lodge DIDN’T change. I imagine changing to a three foot design wouldn’t be a change beyond Lodge’s capabilities. Maybe they’ll listen to the reviews. Think I’ll wait and see before I buy one.

Thinking about using a high heat spray paint on the shell of my sportsman grill. Of course not the grill grate itself. Any thoughts?? Is this considered a moral sin??