https://mientras.studio mientras studio Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:43:27 +0000 https://mientras.studio en https://mientras.studio/Story Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:43:27 +0000 mientras studio https://mientras.studio/Story Philosophy Mientras began from trying to find an in-between. &nbsp; In-between outdoors and indoors, home and away, individual and communal, at a time when so much of society is a web of extremes, Mientras is something else, neither one nor the other, sometimes both. &nbsp; The mission is simple, Mientras exists to help you feel more at home in the world, wherever that might be.&nbsp; Origin From a patio in Queens to a factory in Tsubame-Sanjo to a balcony in Lisbon, Mientras began and evolved as I struggled to find products for the life I wanted to live. Products that are as beautiful as they are functional; products that could both resist the wear and tear of a nomadic life but also offer a sense of home no matter where they might be. So... I set out to make them myself. Drawing on my backround, not as a designer, but rather as a trained social scientist and fine art curator, I look for solutions that embrace customization and modularity, care and circularity, ease of use and adaptability, and of course, elegant functionality in the hope that these items will live with you for a long time, becoming as much a part of your life as they have been mine.&nbsp; While I rely on my trusted manufacturing partners for production, Mientras is, at the moment, a one person brand. It’s literally just me designing and managing everything. Thanks for your patience and understanding.&nbsp; Here’s me testing some early prototypes: <img width="2268" height="4032" width_o="2268" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3c61eb187b18cdf183184cb33c3274868f25e80493c9f0a02fc755d170b1e307/PXL_20220730_184237612.MP.jpg" data-mid="250990097" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3c61eb187b18cdf183184cb33c3274868f25e80493c9f0a02fc755d170b1e307/PXL_20220730_184237612.MP.jpg" /> With Gratitude,&nbsp; -Julian&gt; https://mientras.studio/Products Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:43:26 +0000 mientras studio https://mientras.studio/Products <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3d3070652822e5c0e2e95e48069ca5492fbe715100fad096c718b752902834ff/GRILL-9.jpg" data-mid="250465056" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3d3070652822e5c0e2e95e48069ca5492fbe715100fad096c718b752902834ff/GRILL-9.jpg" /> The Gathering Place Grill • Modular Flat-Pack Construction• Titanium Body, Stainless Steel Top• Made in Tsubame-Sanjo, Japan • U.S. Patents 12,251,045 B2 &amp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;D1,082,405 S Concept People have gathered around fires since our very earliest times. There’s a unique and irreplaceable allure about the light of a flickering flame and the smells of food cooking. It’s a fundamental part of what makes us human.But in today’s world it’s harder than ever to embrace this ancient ritual. From cramped urban living spaces to packed schedules, carving out the time and space to re-engage together isn’t easy. The Gathering Place Grill was designed to give you options. Its double-patented design allows you to configure the grill in a variety of ways, as well as adjust its settings to suit your needs – from more charcoal or wood capacity to less weight – all while being easy to set-up, carry, clean, and store, so it’s ready whenever you are. &nbsp; <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a4a1ab24d1ac5e92c83f89e3d9ece1689bc6f0d41f9b411b96910f27b40a1fd/GRILL-8.jpg" data-mid="250465052" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a4a1ab24d1ac5e92c83f89e3d9ece1689bc6f0d41f9b411b96910f27b40a1fd/GRILL-8.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3d3070652822e5c0e2e95e48069ca5492fbe715100fad096c718b752902834ff/GRILL-9.jpg" data-mid="250465056" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3d3070652822e5c0e2e95e48069ca5492fbe715100fad096c718b752902834ff/GRILL-9.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6584730f879735b813d8b72d69c14c7ac11586c45af1a2bdd693fc8173eabf6b/GRILL-10.jpg" data-mid="251226796" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6584730f879735b813d8b72d69c14c7ac11586c45af1a2bdd693fc8173eabf6b/GRILL-10.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7186642578faa2fa42d5f976fed498e2df4852c3a3a9c7bd7c7229618278db5d/GRILL-11.jpg" data-mid="250465058" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7186642578faa2fa42d5f976fed498e2df4852c3a3a9c7bd7c7229618278db5d/GRILL-11.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/58fcfb8a492a84957813a1699872c0804d3943a7f306ae54f7209772095c8838/GRILL-12.jpg" data-mid="250465059" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/58fcfb8a492a84957813a1699872c0804d3943a7f306ae54f7209772095c8838/GRILL-12.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/64793e97799cf218bacc039586ecaa28268aee4c5e00aefb7fc6812c8a13bdd1/GRILL-14.jpg" data-mid="251226797" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/64793e97799cf218bacc039586ecaa28268aee4c5e00aefb7fc6812c8a13bdd1/GRILL-14.jpg" /> <img width="7664" height="3508" width_o="7664" height_o="3508" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8f561307645e9f367521ea881b034ec19339abd2f8900bae88ae6b78ef49ad31/GRILL-19.jpg" data-mid="250465062" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8f561307645e9f367521ea881b034ec19339abd2f8900bae88ae6b78ef49ad31/GRILL-19.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a474b7674fa494d61486c486ceac58e89713c0c8ab76709ab719c2f2e7a042b4/GRILL-4.jpg" data-mid="250465878" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a474b7674fa494d61486c486ceac58e89713c0c8ab76709ab719c2f2e7a042b4/GRILL-4.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/640d01797aba7e1e6578f8bc4734a8c7c82f1404cf96b6f6f409342fd179973e/GRILL-5.jpg" data-mid="250465061" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/640d01797aba7e1e6578f8bc4734a8c7c82f1404cf96b6f6f409342fd179973e/GRILL-5.jpg" /> <img width="3770" height="3751" width_o="3770" height_o="3751" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/66de8803a6c243421373d727f15ea5a376a03054df486cbfecf554fd05368d81/GRILL-201.png" data-mid="250469939" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/66de8803a6c243421373d727f15ea5a376a03054df486cbfecf554fd05368d81/GRILL-201.png" /> Usage From a total of 7 panels down to just the grill top, you have the flexibility to choose, whether it’s your first time making a fire or you’re a bushcraft legend. The hingeless design means all the panels fully separate making them easy to clean, maintain, subtract, or replace. The Type 1 configuration is a rectangular design recalling Japanese Kanto-Style Nagahibachi (minus the wooden shell and ash pit). Two optional internal plates are adjustable during set-up allowing for control over the internal capacity, airflow, ash buildup, and the ever crucial distance between your heat source and food. Its lightweight but stable design can even comfortably support a 12-inch cast iron skillet, with or without the grill top.&nbsp; The robust titanium body can likewise easily accommodate hours of charcoal grilling before transitioning into an evening around a fire pit with smoldering wooden logs. The Type 2 configuration is a modern “V” shaped design. It maintains the same grilling surface area while shedding weight, the “V” shape efficiently funneling heat upward despite a more limited and fixed internal capacity. This is a great option for soloists who want a quick grill session before moving on to their next spot. The more you use the grill, the more you’ll discover ways to make it your own. &nbsp;<img width="2498" height="312" width_o="2498" height_o="312" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6937deb64618f50770ea70095d7dcefc9f2994cccf5ea824700ce1aeccc8bd41/Screen-Shot-2026-08-26-at-10.30.30-PM.png" data-mid="251603215" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6937deb64618f50770ea70095d7dcefc9f2994cccf5ea824700ce1aeccc8bd41/Screen-Shot-2026-08-26-at-10.30.30-PM.png" /><img width="1776" height="912" width_o="1776" height_o="912" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e3d67abaf949782eafa23a971c6fe680ed9e09d66d3f7e2af751b607fbc5ce4b/Screen-Shot-2026-07-16-at-4.56.05-PM.png" data-mid="251321299" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e3d67abaf949782eafa23a971c6fe680ed9e09d66d3f7e2af751b607fbc5ce4b/Screen-Shot-2026-07-16-at-4.56.05-PM.png" /> SpecificationsAssembled Size in Centimeters&nbsp; 38.5 (L) x 22 (D) x 16.3 (H)Laying Flat Dimensions in Centimeters38.5 (L) x 22 (D) x 1 .1 (H) Total Weight 2.47 Kg - 87.2 OzGrill Top Weight 0.692 Kg - 24.4 OzShort Sides Weight (x2) 0.218 Kg - 7.7 OzLong Sides Weight (x2) 0.278 Kg - 9.8 OzAsh Filter Plate Weight 0.380 Kg - 13.4 OzBase Plate Weight 0.408 Kg - 14.4 Oz DetailsThe 6 body components are made from 1.5mm-thick precision laser-cut titanium polished to a satin finish. Titanium is a miraculously lightweight but durable metal that simultaneously resists corrosion while quickly cooling and displacing heat. It will develop an amazing patina with use, and is easy to clean and dishwasher safe. The grill top is made with 2mm-thick stainless steel which is food safe and corrosion-resistant. While heavier, it conducts heat more evenly than titanium making it a better choice for actually cooking. Its greater thickness helps resist warpage that can happen at high heat intensities. All the components pack into a custom-designed plastic-free cotton canvas and leather bag that incorporates the grill top as a carrying handle. It will also slip easily into most tote bags and backpacks, under the seat of your car, onto a peg in your home closet, or tuck away into that everything drawer you don’t want to talk about. &nbsp; &nbsp;Manufacturing <img width="1567" height="1044" width_o="1567" height_o="1044" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c6aed1fd808b1c409b6411b57bf9877edd5bcf2b0b3d5460e6e0669877d96b03/Sekikawa-Overhead.jpg" data-mid="251327509" border="0" data-scale="89" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c6aed1fd808b1c409b6411b57bf9877edd5bcf2b0b3d5460e6e0669877d96b03/Sekikawa-Overhead.jpg" /> The Gathering Place Grill is made in Tsubame-Sanjo, Niigata, Japan, a renowned locale for metalworking and craft. Though it now produces some of Japan’s best rice, the region shifted from farming to metalwork after a series of devastating floods in the early 1600s made the staple hard to grow with any quality. Since then, the region’s artisans have honed their skills while continuously advancing their technical prowess with modern technology. Today, the streets of the twin cities of Tsubame and Sanjo literally run red from oxidized iron, and they’re home to over 5,000 small and medium-sized companies. This dense concentration allows for intense collaboration and economies of scale not possible elsewhere. It’s also one of the few places in the world where raw titanium can be refined on one side of the city and manufactured into a product on the other. Tsubame-Sanjo is now a leading international hub for quality kitchenware manufacturing, producing nearly 95% of Japan’s tableware, as well as cutlery for the Nobel laureate’s dinner and the International Space Station.&nbsp; We are honored to partner with an amazing team of established kitchenware manufacturers to bring The Gathering Place Grill to you. &nbsp; &nbsp; <img width="1108" height="1477" width_o="1108" height_o="1477" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ceb5689cb5150e995da319fb853fcf75d20c5a4c993417365307142dc1f74e79/Sekikawa-Stamp-Table.jpg" data-mid="251327510" border="0" data-scale="65" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/ceb5689cb5150e995da319fb853fcf75d20c5a4c993417365307142dc1f74e79/Sekikawa-Stamp-Table.jpg" /><img width="1108" height="1477" width_o="1108" height_o="1477" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f658e25be1856396c6b5fdd8d09b5e0de1bed85832cb09d753c24f1bfcca8a62/Sekikawa-Factory1.jpg" data-mid="251327508" border="0" data-scale="65" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f658e25be1856396c6b5fdd8d09b5e0de1bed85832cb09d753c24f1bfcca8a62/Sekikawa-Factory1.jpg" /> Easy Carry <img width="3770" height="3751" width_o="3770" height_o="3751" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/66de8803a6c243421373d727f15ea5a376a03054df486cbfecf554fd05368d81/GRILL-201.png" data-mid="250469939" border="0" data-scale="62" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/66de8803a6c243421373d727f15ea5a376a03054df486cbfecf554fd05368d81/GRILL-201.png" /> In order to make the Gathering Place Grill as comfortable and easy to use as possible, it comes with a custom designed carrying bag made from high quality cotton canvas and leather. It features a secure closure with snap-fasteners and an integrated pass-through handle that takes advantage of the grill top’s design, but tucks away when not in use. The large front pocket is the perfect place to store additional items like tongs, spatulas, or other utensils. The mientras logo tag also serves as an additional clip-in point to attach items externally via a carabiner.&nbsp; &nbsp; Our bag is proudly cut and sewn by Kozuchi, a renowned manufacturer of bags and tool holsters for professional Japanese electricians and craftsmen based in Sanjo City, Niigata and operating for nearly 40 years.&nbsp; Nota BeneFire burns things. This sounds obvious, but most grills look they way they do to accommodate this simple fact. Grease, soot, resin, it all accumulates and can change the appearance of metal, especially when heated. This also makes many grills very difficult to clean and prone to failure when hinges inevitably get clogged. While most companies try to hide this behind double chambers and powder coating, The Gathering Place Grill was designed to age beautifully with use. Titanium will change colors at different heat intensities and these eventually will show through on the side panel’s design. Soot will follow every fire, grease every time you cook a lipid, and resin after burning woods like pine. The grill’s extreme corrosion resistance means you don’t need to clean it right away, in fact, feel free to leave it out for a weekend-long camping trip! When you’re ready, you can confidently scrub each panel as vigorously as you feel like, or just toss them in the dishwasher. Scratches are natural with use and buildup will minimally impact the grill’s function. Each choice is not only a legacy of your relationship but will reflect that use accordingly.Pouring water over a hot fire however will shock the metal and can lead to extreme warpage, especially for the stainless steel grill top. Please wait for the fire to die down naturally before safely disposing of the ashes. A little warpage is natural with high temperatures and should not impede the grill’s usage. &nbsp;Be careful with flames, sparks, and embers; don’t handle hot components without adequate protective equipment. While the grill top has handles, they shouldn’t be used with bare hands, especially when the grill is hot. Please, only make fires where it is safe and permitted to do so and take precautions to protect the area around the fire. Conscientious stewardship of natural resources ensures their continuity. <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6444db276e3c79c0d2db97f370abded1fb13f60ab0530f8a44a1e2075999fcfa/GRILL-23_1.jpg" data-mid="252262985" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6444db276e3c79c0d2db97f370abded1fb13f60ab0530f8a44a1e2075999fcfa/GRILL-23_1.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b44f9a1f84e1f6ffff80ad122c6184cb8d2a9e967b03a3e15c4fce03b679cfcf/GRILL-24_1.jpg" data-mid="252262986" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b44f9a1f84e1f6ffff80ad122c6184cb8d2a9e967b03a3e15c4fce03b679cfcf/GRILL-24_1.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d9bfcc6c74976d39e5ba5504ad66cf3302f80c775b556ee19de8e1f9a7a9ac00/GRILL-21.jpg" data-mid="252262987" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d9bfcc6c74976d39e5ba5504ad66cf3302f80c775b556ee19de8e1f9a7a9ac00/GRILL-21.jpg" /> <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/415c865ffe6c6975c4e3d597f12abb78609d84b3e8be5fe71387264c5ffb5961/GRILL-22.jpg" data-mid="252262988" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/415c865ffe6c6975c4e3d597f12abb78609d84b3e8be5fe71387264c5ffb5961/GRILL-22.jpg" /> https://mientras.studio/Home Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:43:26 +0000 mientras studio https://mientras.studio/Home <img width="8192" height="5464" width_o="8192" height_o="5464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a4a1ab24d1ac5e92c83f89e3d9ece1689bc6f0d41f9b411b96910f27b40a1fd/GRILL-8.jpg" data-mid="250464512" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a4a1ab24d1ac5e92c83f89e3d9ece1689bc6f0d41f9b411b96910f27b40a1fd/GRILL-8.jpg" />