The Maisan Wok Barbecue Cooker

The Maisan is made of cast iron, a material that stores heat and releases it steadily. Set over the embers, it heats across its whole surface instead of burning in the centre: your prawns brown evenly all over. This even heat also suits dishes that take their time. A sauce or vegetables simmer quietly while you turn the skewers beside them.

No handle sticks out over the side of the barbecue, so none can get scorched: you hold the Maisan by two short handles, cast in one piece with the bowl and facing each other. It takes the centre of the grill, right above the hottest embers. To lift it off, an oven glove in each hand is all you need, and you carry it level to your guests without spilling a drop of juice.

Crispy stir-fries, slow-cooked dishes, soups: the Maisan takes over from the grill when you want something other than a skewer. Finely sliced vegetables, strips of meat and sauce cook together without falling through the bars. Once ready, the dish goes straight to the table in its cast iron, which keeps it hot while you serve. Allow 2 to 4 people, the right amount for a summer dinner with people close to you.

The Maisan likes a real flame: wood fire, barbecue embers or a gas burner. It comes in two sizes: 22 x 18 x 4.5cm, or 24 x 20 x 5cm for a little more volume. The larger one suits you if you often cook for four, the smaller one a dinner for two or a side dish.