With its three legs, the grill and fire bowl stands securely over an open flame. The center gets hotter than the outer edge, allowing you to keep steaks, baked goods, and more warm while the vegetables are still sizzling in the middle. Before the first use, the grill plate is seasoned, creating a patina with each subsequent cooking and burning process that provides a natural non-stick effect. Once seasoned, the plate heats up very quickly, and you can start grilling right away.