Some partnerships feel natural from the beginning, not because of marketing or opportunity, but because the values align so closely it’s almost as if they were carved from the same piece of timber.
That’s exactly how Michael and Gina felt when Sea Island Forge joined them in North Dakota this season.
A brand built on heritage, craftsmanship and gathering around the fire, Sea Island Forge creates outdoor kettles and cooking tools designed for those who appreciate time spent outside; food shared, stories told, and heat that carries into the night. Their ethos mirrors ours so closely it felt like we’d been walking parallel roads for years.
“We’d admired their products long before we'd ever cooked on any of them”
“Taking their kettle to North Dakota felt like the beginning of something special”
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Values
The Sea Island Forge Kettle is a modern interpretation of historic syrup kettles used across the South, originally built for community gatherings, good company, and open-fire cooking. The Schoettles, Sandy & Steve, have spent years studying the science behind flame, heat, and airflow to create kettles that burn hotter, cleaner, and more consistently than anything we’ve used before.
Their lookbook highlights this craftsmanship clearly, five-star engineered fires that are “crafted, not assembled,” built from cast iron and forged steel for a lifetime of use. When you cook on one, you understand the intention immediately. Durable. Steady. Honest.
Built for the kind of moments that matter and that’s exactly what defines Field Traditions too.
North Dakota: The First Field Test
Taking the kettle to North Dakota was a test of environment, weather and real use.
It faced:
- heavy wind
- below-freezing mornings
- long fires that burned from dawn to dusk
- cast iron weight on the grill
- game, vegetables, chorizo, paella - you name it!
It handled all of it with ease.
Michael cooked everything from quail tapa, breakfast, game cassoulet to paella over the bowl. Gina kept coffee warm on the grate during cold mornings. Dogs slept beside the heat. Friends gathered close. It felt as if the kettle had always belonged there.
“You realise quickly that cooking over fire is less about food and more about the people who gather around it”
Now Available at Field Traditions
We’re honored to now stock a selection of Sea Island Forge kettles and accessories on the Field Traditions website.
This isn’t a transaction. It’s a partnership rooted in meaning. They believe time together is everything and we do too.
Michael’s Top Picks: Getting Started with Outdoor Cooking
For anyone stepping into field-to-fire cooking or looking to upgrade their setup, here are Michael’s honest recommendations from the trip:
1. The 30-Gallon Ultimate Experience
“If you’re cooking for family, small gatherings, or hunts, this is the sweet spot. Big enough to handle serious meals, easy enough to move.”
Perfect for: everyday fires, quail, venison, vegetables, skillet dishes.
2. The Classic Grill Attachment
Stainless steel, ash-handled, beautifully made.
“The grill attachment gives you precision. It moves smoothly and lets you control heat like nothing else.”
3. The Heat Dome
Perfect for controlling temperature and finishing dishes evenly.
“Game birds, vegetables, anything benefits from the dome.”
4. The Side Kick
A small, ingenious bit of kit.
“Ideal for keeping coffee hot, warming bread, frying tapas, or finishing sides.”
Each piece is hand-forged, built to last, and feels like something that should be passed down, not replaced.
Why This Partnership Matters
This is a partnership built on heritage & tradition, quality craftsmanship, endurance & sustainability and community.
These aren’t marketing words. They’re values we live every day in the field.Together, we hope to inspire more of the moments that matter; fireside meals, long conversations, dogs sleeping close, and time shared outdoors. Because time together really is everything.