Purcell Trench Grills

Came across these the other day, bought one, was so impressed I added another for a friend on his birthday. These things are sweet. A small shop makes them in the Selkirk Mountains in Northeastern Washington State, stainless, superb welds, great designs, very light but durable, perfectly functional carrying cases.

*Link removed in 2026 as the site is dead and the link led to nefarious enterprises.

Select your size and buy one.

You might even get a nice hand written note from Don, the proprietor.

Monel

Those are the highest quality camp grills ever made. If there was ever an example of buy-once, cry-once those are it.

The choices between various models, and whether get just the stainless steel tubes or the expanded mesh produced some dithering until, wondering how easy it would be to clean the expanded SS mesh, I settled on a plain tube Voyageur grill. It is one of those rare pieces of gear where, if I lost it I would immediately buy the same exact thing.

The lack of mesh was an issue with fish or smaller stuff, until I saw someone on a trip use (and re-use) a sheet of non-stick grill mat. I had serious doubts about that mat when he stuck it on a low grate over open fire flames and a hot bed of coals. It worked like a charm; there were a half dozen people around the fire and five of them immediately said “Oh, I’m getting one”; I was among them.

A piece of one non-stick grill mat was enough to cover the Purcell Trench Grill and the clean up was easy. I needed one for the home BBQ, one for the wife’s personal camp cookset and a couple for friends and bought a 5-pack.

Not sure if these are the same ones:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FQD7QHB

One caution with rolley things like brats or hotdogs; unless the grill is perfectly level you’ll be chasing your sausage out of the fire. Just slice ‘em open first.

I have a grill that looks like the second one from the right in the photo above. I've had it for over 30 years so don't know if it's the same brand. It's very light and practical but one of the welds did break.

Mike, here is a solution to keep your tubular meats from rolling off the grill.

Another satisfied customer right here. Pricey but I have zero regrets.

Couldn't agree more. You can easily fit 2 2 quart vessels at the same time with the travelers grill. So light and small I pack it in my camp chair or thwart bag.

I’ve been using Purcell grilles for about 8 years and they are a little charred but have never warped. I use pots but also steak and lobster directly on the grill. I know length is not really a concern with canoe packs, but Don is easy to work with and is making me a shorter grill to fit an Isle Royale Mini day pack I just purchased from a forum member. My other grilles are about 4” too long for this pack. Messaged Purcell Trench and problem solved. Here’s to surf and turf on the open fire!

Cheers

Waterdog said:

I’ve been using Purcell grilles for about 8 years and they are a little charred but have never warped. I use pots but also steak and lobster directly on the grill. I know length is not really a concern with canoe packs, but Don is easy to work with and is making me a shorter grill to fit an Isle Royale Mini day pack I just purchased from a forum member. My other grilles are about 4” too long for this pack. Messaged Purcell Trench and problem solved. Here’s to surf and turf on the open fire!

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Second that, likely the best constructed grill in the world. The Voyageur Trench grill has proven a beloved piece of gear.

The Voyageur is a bigger than I need solo and I might have to consider a Packers grill. Or something custom sized.

These things look sweet! I have wanted one ever since I saw Wintertrekker use one on his YouTube page. I believe a travelers grill is in my future.

I really like my Traveler and it goes on every trip.

Don has sold Purcell Trench. Josh Drake purchased the company and is looking to carry on the tradition of excellence.

Josh has been welding the grills since 2015, so he is no stranger to customer expectations. I ordered several pieces last night and found him to be very responsive.

Good new. I have used the grills for some time and they are solid. Last year I got a couple new ones and was sorry to hear that they were closing. I’ll have to try and support the new owner.

Seems their site is having issues with bad links and a bad email.

I did see that Canadian Outdoor Equipment has some but before I make the purchase from COE, anyone know if the stream side metal mesh will hold pots well? Looking at the stream side packer or the regular packer and occasionally have a fry bake pan on it. No cast iron, not big heavy pots, small and lightweight usually with the exception of that 10” fry bake.

Bad link. goes to a gambling site.

it's only the grills and grill tips links that are manipulated, the rest of the domain seems to be functioning (but likely dead/hijacked). looks like the domain may have been transferred in late January.

ppine said:

Bad link. goes to a gambling site.

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Yup. This. Reported the original post.

Bummer. I was pulling for Josh to keep things going.