Why I’m Excited: The Clay Coyote Flameware Grill Basket Is in the Running for “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota”
When the email came in telling me that the Clay Coyote Flameware Grill Basket was nominated for the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota contest, I felt a surge of pride. It’s not just pride in a product, but pride in what this represents: craftsmanship, innovation, local artistry, and a serious love for grilling.
VOTE HEREWhat is the Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota Contest?
The Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is running this contest to spotlight products manufactured in Minnesota—everything from iconic consumer goods to cutting-edge tech. The format is bracket-style: 64 entrants, gradually narrowed down through rounds of voting, with the final winner revealed at the Manufacturers’ Summit in early October. It’s a way for us all to celebrate what’s being built in our state, from small towns to big cities.
What Makes the Flameware Grill Basket Special
Here’s what sets it apart:
- Material & Making: It’s handmade in Hutchinson, Minnesota, out of Clay Coyote’s Flameware clay. It’s wheel-thrown, which means each piece is unique.
- Safety & Build: The basket is PFAS -, lead-, cadmium-, and nickel-free. It’s food safe, dishwasher safe, and designed so that people with metal allergies can use it without worry.
- Design Features: It measures about 10 inches across and 2 inches deep; it has a small tab or bulb handle that lets you manage lifting it on and off the grill. The handle is kept small intentionally so it doesn’t take up extra space or interfere with the grill lid closing.
- Function & Flavor: Because it’s clay, you don’t get the same issues that some metal or coated baskets have: warping, flaking, rust. It holds heat differently, offers a more even cook in many cases, and helps capture smoky flavor without the metal-taste that sometimes shows up with other baskets or materials.
Why This Nomination Matters
For me, this nomination isn’t just an award or title. It’s validation of a few things I care about deeply:
Local craftsmanship matters. Products like this remind us that “made in Minnesota” isn’t just a label—it’s a story of regional materials, local artists, small businesses.
Quality over mass production. So many grill baskets on the market are cheaply made, metal, nonstick coated, disposable in a few seasons. This is something that’s built to last, that’s beautiful, that’s functional.
Innovation in tradition. Grilling is one of the most beloved American traditions, and the clay basket isn’t the first tool to cook over fire—and yet using clay, with this design, is bringing something fresh to the table (literally).
What Can You Do
If you believe the Clay Coyote Flameware Grill Basket is one of the coolest things made in Minnesota (and I hope you do), here’s what you can do:
- Vote in the contest when its rounds open. (Check the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce site for details.)
- Spread the word. Tell friends who like grilling, pottery, local art, sustainable goods.
- Buy it or give one as a gift: Owning one is a way to support our artists and the community.
Final Thoughts
I cook out a lot. What has always struck me with the Flameware Grill Basket is how it merges beauty and utility—with an authenticity that’s rare. It’s not flashy in a superficial way. It’s subtle. It’s rooted. And yes, I think it has what it takes to win “Coolest Thing Made in Minnesota.”
Whether or not it wins, I believe this nomination will help more people appreciate what goes into making something by hand, right here in Minnesota. And maybe it will inspire more folks to think twice about what they grill with.
