The Real Difference Between Our Charcoal Baskets and Cheap Knockoffs

Let’s talk about something that really grinds our gears here at Kick Ash Basket.

You’ve probably seen charcoal baskets that look like ours, cost less than ours, and claim they fit basically every grill ever invented. But they don’t. 

When you’re shopping online, products sort of look the same in a thumbnail. But the truth is that not all charcoal baskets are created equal. Some are designed by grill nerds who actually use them, while others are cheap knockoffs designed by an algorithm and some pricing spreadsheets.

Let’s break down what you’re really paying for.

We Started the Trend

Before charcoal baskets were really even “a thing,” we built a simple design that worked and made grilling better. Then, in 2016, we did what everyone else was doing and put our unique charcoal baskets on Amazon. 

Sure enough, within three months, there was a knockoff. Not a “similar product” or “inspired by,” just a straight-up copy. 

They say that to be copied is the greatest compliment, but it’s definitely frustrating. We’ve seen it over and over: If something sells well, someone will duplicate it, steal the photos, and undercut the price—often without having the slightest clue what the product is even for.

We do have design patents for the main basket, but a design patent is limited. Someone can still tweak the design slightly and still sell a knockoff. 

Ultimately, not cool. But it’s the name of the game. We’re focused on continuing to make new, useful, and innovative products that you can trust and that you'll wonder how you lived without. 

We Design Products for Real Grills

While these cheap knockoffs are designed to grab your attention online, we design baskets for real grills. That’s the biggest difference. 

Unlike some of these cheap knockoffs, we didn’t just make one basket and slap “Fits Big Green Egg/Primo/Weber/Everything Ever” on it. 

We’ve created custom baskets for nearly every major grill brand, including Weber, Big Green Egg, Kamado Joe, and more. That wasn’t by accident or a quick process. It took time, testing, customer feedback, and continuous improvements that we’re really proud of.

Our baskets are the result of:

• Years of grilling engineering degrees and ingenuity

• Real customer and grillmaster feedback

• Steady design improvements over time

• Multiple configurations for different grills

• Obsessive attention to airflow and performance

We Use High-Quality Materials 

When it comes to materials, the “they look the same” illusion falls apart. At Kick Ash Basket, we use heavy gauge 304 stainless steel, while other copycat brands often use thinner metal and lower-grade stainless steel. 

The stainless steel we use: 

• Holds up to extreme heat

• Resists corrosion

• Won’t warp after a few cooks

• Stands up to years of frequent use

With thinner metal and cheaper materials, you’re more likely to experience issues like sagging, warping, sharp edges, and other issues after just a few uses. But by then, it’s usually too late for a return or exchange. 

We Heavily Inspect Our Products 

As grillers and a small, family-owned business, we actually care what happens after the sale. That’s why we have a rigorous inspection process to make sure your basket, divider, or drip pan is the highest-quality product possible.

We’ve seen random copycat brands simply disappear overnight, relaunch under a new name, and keep selling the same low-quality products with a fresh logo. No accountability or integrity.

That’s not how we do business — and we don’t think that’s the type of business most grillers want to support, either.

We Stand Behind What We Make (and Pick Up the Phone)

This is the part that cheap knockoffs can’t copy.

Kick Ash Basket is a small, family-owned company based in Wisconsin, and when you reach out to us, you’re talking to real people who actually know grills, not a faceless help desk or an auto-reply email that goes nowhere.

Whether you have a question about fit, need help measuring your grill, or just want to make sure you’re ordering the right setup, we’re here to help. We answer emails. We answer the phone. And we stand behind every product we ship.

Good luck getting that kind of support from a knockoff brand that disappears and rebrands every few months.

Here’s what customers have to say:

“Heavy duty and high quality! Tracy’s communication and help measuring the depth for the Kick Ash Can was fantastic!”
— Chris P.

“If you own a Big Green Egg then this accessory is a must. Also, the ownership / customer support is second to none. They go above and beyond.”
— FredBGE

When you buy Kick Ash Basket, you’re not just buying stainless steel; you’re buying peace of mind, real support, and a company that’ll still be here long after the cook is done.

So, What’s the Real Value Difference?

If you want the short version, here it is:

Our baskets are:

• Custom-fit for real grills

• Engineered for airflow and performance

• Built from heavy gauge 304 stainless

• Inspected for quality

• Backed by real people

We’re proud of what we’ve built. We created something original and kept improving it because we actually give a damn.

Your grill deserves better than a cheap copycat knockoff. And honestly? So do you.

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