Cast Iron Grill Basket Set: Handy, Tough, and Somewhat High-Maintenance

The Yukon Glory SEAR ‘N SERVE three-basket grill set looks like the kind of thing you’d spot at a perfectly organized campsite or on the patio of someone who owns more than one spice rack. Each basket is about the size of, say, a small loaf of sandwich bread—small enough to fit on a crowded grill, but not exactly a crowd-pleaser if you’re grilling for more than a handful of folks. You get three of these little guys and a detachable handle that’s determined to test your coordination.

First thing to note: these baskets are heavy. I’m talking tire-iron heavy, perfect for someone who likes the feeling of being actively involved in their grilling (and possibly their upper body strength regimen). On the upside, they are virtually indestructible; you can bash them around, drop them during a camping trip, and worst case you’ll need to touch up your deck—not the buns.

The split-basket idea has its perks: pile onions and peppers in one, chicken in another, fish in the third—no cross-contamination, no weird flavor marriages halfway through dinner. That’s a nice touch.

Here’s a dose of reality though: if you dream of “nonstick” cast iron, just stop. There’s no magic glaze here—these are old-school cast iron through and through. You have to baby them or they will punish you with welded-on cheese or charred potatoes. If you forget the oil or let the seasoning slip, get ready to chisel your dinner off the bottom. And about cleaning—dishwasher? Forget it. You scrub, you dry, and you oil… or you’ll wish you had.

The handle is clever in theory, a little fussy in practice. It clips from pan to pan, but don’t space out or you’ll wind up tap-dancing with a hot tray. If you tend to yank cookware off the heat in a hurry, give yourself a quick refresher on how to use this thing before the grill gets blazing.

As for the actual grilling: the baskets heat up evenly if you pay attention (preheat, preheat, preheat), and they leave those sought-after grill stripes. Just don’t overstuff—these baskets are cozy. Trying to feed a party with them is like serving nachos one chip at a time. Fine for two or three people, but if your gatherings run into double digits, skip it.

If you value indestructibility and don’t dread cleaning, and you generally grill for yourself and a spouse or a few friends, you’ll appreciate the tough-as-nails attitude of this set. If you want something low-maintenance, or you expect to knock out big family meals fast, keep walking. This set asks for committed care and serves up small batches for those willing to do the work.

It’s handy and looks tougher than a boot, but it’s not pretending to be easy or cheap. Know what you’re getting into. If you find cast iron therapeutic and your biceps are up for the ride, go for it. Everyone else: save yourself the scrubbing, and look for larger, simpler gear.