The idea of the company is simple - bring the inside outside. From kitchens to living spaces, The Outdoor GreatRoom Company has been around since 2003 inventing and designing outdoor living spaces for Americans. They sell pergolas, furniture, kitchens, and more. Their specialty is fire pits, something that comes from their past. A new product to their successful line, the Renegade Portable Gas Fire Pit Table, has become very popular since being released this spring due to its unique capabilities. More on that in a bit.
Fire Pits have always been in the lineage of the company. In 1975, Ron and Dan Shimek started tinkering in their garage with fireplaces - they wanted to make a great one. They ended up starting a company that became the largest fireplace manufacturer in the world. Their company, Heat & Glo, has been around since then and really has revolutionized fireplaces in the home. In 1987, they created a product/technology that would change fireplaces in households forever. It is called the direct vent technology. It essentially brings air from outside, via a wall or the roof, and expels carbon monoxide and other harmful gases out. Because of it, one could install a gas fireplace in just about any room of the house, and Americans moved from wood burning fireplaces to gas in their homes by the masses.
“The fire pit table from Outdoor GreatRoom Company gives you that easy to clean and convenient spacing you need while camping.”
Fast forward to 2003, and Dan Shimek launched The Outdoor GreatRoom Company, also with the idea of creating products that are quality-driven and useful in the outdoor "greatroom." As the company is from Minnesota, it is natural that fire pits are a big part of the room they are trying to accommodate. "We make products that appeal to the mid-high end consumer," Hilary Reynolds, Marketing Communication Specialist for the company, says, "So we have a large line of gas fire pit tables." The fire pits they manufacture feature modern designs in a variety of shapes. One of the most interesting is the Boreal Complete Heat . This fire pit heats from top to bottom. Heat from the flame is captured and directed to the bottom of the firepit and ventilated out to warm the feet of people sitting near it. Others have different features, both aesthetically and functionally. On their very handy Ideas & Advice page, the company utilizes its product to design very attractive outdoor rooms according to different themes such as industrial, rustic, or coastal.
The Renegade is the first of its kind, for the company as well as consumer products. "Most of the portable fire pits are wood burning," Reynolds explains, "So this is a very exciting product." It also allows The Outdoor GreatRoom Company to expand their market base to RVers, tailgaters, and other types of outdoor enthusiasts. Most of their products are meant for extending one’s personal home to their outdoor environment. Meaning it is not meant to be moved after put in place. The Renegade is different. "We have been testing this for about 2 years," Reynolds says, "The staff has been taking this tailgating and camping to make sure it is easy to use and work out any kinks." From personal use, Reynolds has been impressed by the easy setup and how it fits inside a trunk of a car.
At 32 inches wide and 22 inches high, the 37 pound Renegade has removable legs and includes a burner cover and a carrying bag. With the burner cover on or off, it can be used as an end table by the campsite. The carrying bag makes it easy to transport and store while travelling. In this YouTube video, Reynolds explains the ease of setup and dissemble, as well as some of its uses. The Renegade can use natural gas or propane. It can produce up to 55,000 BTUs and has a convenient electronic ignition for easy light. As a camper, it is particularly exciting because the fire pit can be used during burn bans, when wood burning fire pits are not allowed.
Whether you are an RVer, a tent camper, a tailgater or simply looking for backyard camping fun with your friends and family, the Renegade is a perfect complement to any of these experiences. It is easy to setup and take down, while designed by a company that lives fire pits. It can keep you warm, too, something Reynolds experiences first hand. “We are all fans of the Minnesota Gophers up here. And during football season in Minnesota, it is cold. So last year when we were tailgating with the Renegade, we drew a huge crowd. Not just because of excitement about the product, but also so people can huddle up and stay warm!” she laughs.