These days, entrepreneurs in the outdoors seem as natural as well, nature. Hunters and anglers continue to concoct new products; some present brand-new ideas and others needed improvements to existing products. Griff and Hunter Jaggard have done some of both with the introduction of their FIREDISC® Cookers. These new outdoor cookers provide extra utility to the world of disc cooking. However, they’re a clever innovation that is special in and of itself.

The Concept

Being from Texas, I’ve been familiar with plow disc cookers for many years. In my world, I’m most accustomed to the terms cowboy or Texas woks. Naming conventions aside, they offer many benefits. The concept was born from the very discs pulled by tractors for tilling. Apply heat and you’ve got a great cooking surface much like a wok. Over the years, I’ve had some pretty memorable meals from home brew disc cookers including wild game, steaks, eggs, and bacon. What I didn’t know was just how popular they have now become. In fact, they’re a growing niche in the outdoor cooking space – hence a popular topic in the digital world, including social media and internet forums. It turns out that plow discs or “Discada’s” have served as cooking surfaces for quite a long time. “Discada cooking in the southwest actually dates back to the late 1800s”, said Griff. Who knew?

Outdoor Beginnings, Entrepreneurial Spirit and Sacrifice

It should come as no surprise that the Jaggard boys are avid sportsmen, being introduced to the outdoors at a very early age. Says Griff, “starting around age 5, our father would literally throw us over his shoulder and take us out to the duck hunting blind. They never had a chance, as they say. Today, both brothers still embrace the outdoor lifestyle when time allows – particularly fishing and duck hunting.

Well before the FIREDISC® Cooker idea, these proud Houstonians and Texas Tech grads pushed the limits of hard work early. Best of friends, they were born businessmen. Early ventures included retrieving and selling golf balls in Copper Mountain, Colorado from an area course. And starting a Non-profit. A big idea was inevitable.

After considerable development work starting in late 2010, the brothers went all in on their FIREDISC® endeavor in mid-2016. This was a significant undertaking and to do so meant leaving behind successful and lucrative commercial real estate careers. Though a difficult choice, the allure of building and growing a popular outdoor brand became too great. The product and project have now picked up a ton of steam with FIREDISC® being one of the fastest growing companies in the country. However, as with all new products, it hasn’t been easy. Said Griff, “it turns out that coming up with the idea was the easy part. Hunter and I have enjoyed the ride but it hasn’t been without it’s bumps. As a matter of fact, it’s been considerably more challenging than the careers we left behind.”

A Lifestyle Brand that Cooks

It seems though that lifestyle brands truly thrive when paired with outdoor products that deliver real utility. Much like the ever-popular Yeti Coolers, these resourceful siblings have created a brand story that is candy for the outdoorsman – a passion brand that has as much to do with outdoor identity as it does usefulness. In fact, it’s no wonder that the Jaggard’s not only know, but have had the benefit of friendly mentorship from the very brother duo that built the Yeti brand – Ryan and Roy Seiders. “We got to know Roy and Ryan through some close mutual friends and our relationship in general with them has been huge for us during this process they are well too familiar with.”, said Hunter.

The outdoors may be the leading angle of the brand, but there is more to it than that. Additionally, the Jaggard’s have developed a community that includes an array of noted culinary and entertainment figures to go with outdoor ones. The great outdoors, good food, and music – a combination that screams duck blinds, deer camps, and tailgates (just to name a few).

The Goods

The lifestyle that FIREDISC® represents notwithstanding, the product itself is stout, portable, and has unlimited uses in the outdoors. The first thing I noticed about it was how solid it was from a toughness standpoint – no shortcuts in design or durability here. When you put your hands on it, you can immediately feel its rugged construction. “The market is tired of buying stuff that falls apart”, Hunter said. Though the word wok has been thrown around a lot here, I liken the FIREDISC® more to cast-iron cooking. As such, its thick porous carbon steel surface seasons over time and the cooking alternatives are boundless.

Heated with common propane bottles and tanks, it effectively cooks steaks, chicken, and fried fish. With higher walls than a wok, it also makes for a great way to cook not only stir-fried dishes, but soups and stews. Clean-up is easy requiring only water, a good wipe down, and coating of oil. I almost hate to write up such a utilitarian description, but to not lay out some of the features would be a crime. Suffice to say, the combination of these attributes teamed with the aura of disc cooking means the outdoor grilling market may never be the same.

Legacy

Just like hunting, fishing, and the outdoors, FIREDISC® has everything to do with tradition and legacy. It’s rugged design, simplicity, and seasoned surface means it should literally be considered an heirloom. “We wanted it to be built tough not only to hold up over time, but to provide the ability to pass it down through the generations – much like cast-iron skillets are”, said Griff. This trait is no doubt a bonus to the quality construction and disc cooking mystique.

Rooted in hard work, perseverance, and ethics, the FIREDISC® brand will continue to develop and market products sure to enhance the outdoor culinary landscape for the customer on the go. Further, this bunch has no shortage of community empathy and interest. For example, they concurrently run a cure-seeking non-profit organization for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which has raised over 1 Million since the inception in 2004. In addition to the National MS Society, FIREDISC® actively supports many other causes and organizations across the nation.

Whether with shotgun, rod, or spatula in hand, the Jaggard’s will no doubt continue to be a formidable influence to the outdoor pursuits. As for me, I can hardly wait to try my next culinary masterpiece. The list is long but I know my FIREDISC® Cooker is up for the challenge.

• Note that FIREDISC® currently comes in 2 sizes, 2 colors and offers an array of quality cooking accessories and seasonings. The cookers can be found online and nation-wide retail locations to include independent hunting, fishing, camping, and hardware, and specialty stores.