The Japanese camp-kitchen maker

As late August arrives, the weather is scorching, and there's a strong longing for the arrival of autumn.

Every year, autumn heralds the camping season. However, with the global pandemic easing, the irresistible urge for "revenge travel" might delay the start of the camping season.

The camping mood and atmosphere need to be brewed. Discovering and catering to the needs of campers through thoughtful details in camp cooking tools allows for carefree enjoyment and further exploration of the joys of camping, marking the first step in brewing that atmosphere.

 

UNIFLAME’s camp kitchen idea

" Cartridge gas tanks can not only be used at home, but can also be taken out for camping and cooking . (1980s)"

"Firewood and charcoal fires are not only practical, they also enjoyable!"

"In starting a fire, there must be a firepit to protect the grass."

"In Western camping culture, BBQs are often done standing up, while in Japan, outdoor BBQs involve placing the grill on a table and leisurely cooking while seated, which is comfortable and aligns with Japanese dining customs.

"When cooking rice during camping, you don't necessarily have to use military mess tins; using a proper rice cooker ensures that cooking rice is foolproof"

Today, there is a wide array of camping cooking tools available, but before the 1980s, these were just ideas. Transforming these ideas into tangible tools required action.

UNIFLAME, a Japanese camping equipment brand founded in 1985 under its parent company Shinetsu Works, has deep roots in Japanese cuisine. Its stainless steel sieves are indispensable tools for many ramen and soba chefs.

Even before camping became a popular leisure activity in Japan, UNIFLAME developed its first product, the UNITORCH, a cartridge gas lighter. In 1989, they introduced the US-2000, Japan's first portable dual-head stove fueled by cartridge gas, which quickly became a trend in the early 1990s automotive camping culture. This dual-head stove, allowing two pots to be used simultaneously, made camp kitchen convenient and popular. Today, it has evolved into the US-1900, lighter and more user-friendly.

 

 

The biggest difference between cooking while camping and cooking at home is that you have to face limitations such as water source, wind blowing, and fire stability. The windshields on both sides of the UNIFLAME US-1900 TWIN BURNER double-head stove have a strong wind protection effect. The copper heater can also stabilize the firepower at low temperatures. The inclined stainless steel stove surface makes cleaning easy.

It is said that UNIFLAME is a Japanese camping equipment brand that combines sophistication and ingenuity, making it unique. The details of the product, or the ingenuity behind the design, solve various problems, make camping cooking as easy as you want, and equip users with the mood to explore the joy of outdoor cooking.

 

 

 

Fire Pit & BBQ

Under the global energy crisis, charcoal/firewood plays an indispensable role in camping. Wood/charcoal fire has greater heat energy than gas fire, making BBQ ingredients crispier and more delicious.

Bonfire and BBQ are the highlights of "fire games" in camping, and they are also the main product categories developed by UNIFLAME. The FIREGRILL , which debuted in 1998, can be called UF's classic firepiit

• Gaps left in the four corners of the stove body prevent deformation from heat, ensuring durability.
• Improved combustion efficiency due to airflow in the four corners.
• Equipped with a grilling net for grilling various ingredients.
• Positioned at a 45-degree angle for easy charcoal management and food protection.
• High-legged and eco-friendly design prevents ground damage from high temperatures.

UNIFLAME's stainless steel utensils are all manufactured in Sanjo, Japan, ensuring high quality from material to polishing. Whether it's a grilling net or a fire pit, users can expect durability, with many still using them even after more than a decade.

 

 

 

The FIREGRILL SOLO mini fire stand designed for the SOLO family in recent years

 

Japanese style cookware

UNICERA is another groundbreaking addition to the Japanese camping scene since 1993.   This compact tabletop grill, featured by its V-shaped ceramic panel,  can boast the capacity of charcoal.  The far-infrared heating system also enhances the flavor of grilled meat while requiring fewer charcoal briquettes

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to barbecue, rice is an important part of Japanese food culture. UNIFLAME's product design takes Japanese eating habits into consideration. Next time, I will continue to talk about its ultimate tool for cooking delicious rice. 

 

 

 

(to be continued...)