About Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet
Kalamazoo has always been driven by a passion for cooking and a commitment to craft. What began in 1906 as a metalworks company evolved into a brand known for redefining outdoor kitchens. We invented the category’s first hybrid grill, handcraft each product in Michigan, and rigorously test and refine every design until it meets our standards. Our outdoor kitchens are rooted in real cooking and shaped by the belief that fire, food, and people belong together. Everything we make reflects that mindset: built to perform, designed to last, trusted by chefs and home cooks alike, and made to create the kinds of memories that endure.
MADE IN MICHIGAN. BUILT TO LAST
Where It All Began
More than a century ago, Kalamazoo started as a custom metal shop serving western Michigan. Known for solving the toughest fabrication challenges, the team earned a reputation for precision stainless steel work and patented tool designs. Their welds met the strictest “dairy standard” requirements, setting the tone for a company grounded in quality, creativity, and hands-on skill.
FIRE, FUEL, AND A BREAKTHROUGH IDEA
The Birth of the Hybrid Grill
In 1998, Kalamazoo introduced a grill unlike anything else — a stainless steel gas grill with the ability to burn charcoal and wood in the same firebox. The design unlocked new possibilities in flavor, sparking the start of a new category. It became known as the Hybrid Fire Grill, and it set the tone for everything that came next.
EVER DETAIL REFINED
Evolution Without Compromise
The Hybrid Fire Grill has evolved through many generations, perfected to deliver performance beyond any gas grill on the market. From the introduction of Dragon Burners to ongoing improvements in design and durability, every change has been made with purpose. Constant refinement is our hallmark, ensuring the ultimate outdoor cooking experience across grilling, searing, baking, roasting, smoking, and rotisserie.
INNOVATION THAT LEADS, NOT FOLLOWS
A Legacy of Firsts
Kalamazoo has pioneered many of the outdoor kitchen industry’s most meaningful innovations. Every one of them was developed to solve a real problem or create a better cooking experience.
- First grill to use gas, charcoal, and wood
- First weather-tight outdoor kitchen cabinetry
- First countertop outdoor pizza oven
- First Argentinian-style grill with integrated rotisserie and gas starters
- First under-counter charcoal smoker cabinet
- First complete outdoor kitchen collection in marine-grade stainless steel
MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS
A Complete Outdoor Cooking System
In 2005, the company became Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet, reflecting a broader vision for outdoor living. Today, that vision includes a full kitchen system built around cooking, not just components. From pizza ovens and smokers to weather-tight cabinetry and refrigeration, every product is engineered to work together and built from the same materials as our flagship grills.
The Kalamazoo Difference
From our test kitchen to yours, every product and every design reflects a passion for food, fire, and living well outdoors.
COOKED, PROVEN AND PERFECTED.
The Culinary Center
The Kalamazoo Culinary Center in Chicago is where design meets execution. Every product is put to the test through real recipes, techniques, and tools. It’s also where our team develops new ideas, hosts events, and refines what performance means in an outdoor kitchen.
REAL KITCHENS FOR REAL PEOPLE
Expert Outdoor Kitchen Design
Our in-house design team works with homeowners and professionals to plan and configure kitchens for how people actually live and cook. With over 150 models and 1,500 SKUs to work with, every space can be shaped around real needs, not limitations. From concept to layout to final fit, we’re here to support the process.
MORE THAN COOKING
Built for Your Way of Life
Outdoor living is a mindset, one that values connection, creativity, and time well spent. We believe an outdoor kitchen is more than a feature — it’s the heart of gatherings and a natural extension of how people live. Every Kalamazoo product is made to support that vision, whether it’s a quiet dinner or a long afternoon by the fire with friends.
Making Headlines
Check out the latest media stories that highlight our product news, expert reviews, and outdoor kitchen trends and design tips.