Photo: Roee Magdassi Photo: Roee Magdassi Photo: Roee Magdassi Photo: Roee Magdassi Photo: Roee Magdassi Photo: Roee Magdassi

No one expects to have access to a Viking range or other high-end kitchen amenities when camping, but it doesn't mean outdoorsy folks should settle for unsteady, unsightly camp grills. These nominally portable appliances take up an oversize amount of space in backpacks that are already filled to the brim and are just an errant s'more swing away from toppling into a nylon tent, turning a vacation into a visit to the burn unit.

Fortunately, Israeli design student Roee Magdassi has developed a new collapsible cooking concept called Stakes that brings a trifecta of improvements to the outdoor cooking industry. Instead of a rigid, spot-welded frame, his on-the-go system threads braided steel cables through the grate that allow it to be rolled up when not cooking burgers. Rickety fold-out legs are replaced with three titanium stakes that hold the grill in tension, increasing stability. Lastly, an unusual triangular shape gives the design an eye-catching look while making setup simple.

No tools are required for setup, one of the titanium stakes is simply pounded into the ground using a rock. The next step would make Pythagoras proud: Campers pivot the grate around the first stake until they find a smooth, rock free, spot to drive the second. The grill's steel cable is threaded through a hole in the third stake, providing a few inches of play before planting it. Unlike pitching a tent where a single section of rough terrain can ruin the process, this design allows the camper to work with the site rather than against it.

>It was inspired by Magdassi's stint as a soldier in the Israeli Defense Force.

Stake has the elegant simplicity you'd expect from a designer like Jasper Morrison, but was inspired by Magdassi's stint as a soldier in the Israeli Defense Force. He lugged his backpack up mountains, endured scorching desert temperatures, and while most of his unit could do nothing but complain about the pack's bulk, the 27-year old industrial design student turned the burden into inspiration.

As a second year student at the prestigious Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem, Magdassi decided to take up the challenge of stripping the grill down to it's basic elements. "During my military service I experienced walking long trails while carrying heavy loads," he says. "Therefore, I understood the importance of designing light weight equipment." The result is a grill that weighs just over half-a-pound, has a generous 13-inch x 10-inch cooking surface, and folds up to the size of a paper towel tube when not in use.

The concept is striking, but it also sports a meticulous attention to detail. The locking mechanism between the grill and stake is simple, elegant, and designed not to wear out after dramatic changes in temperature. A Cordura carrying case keeps all of the pieces together on the way to the campsite, but protects your other gear from getting greasy on the way out. Even little things, like the tab attached to the zipper pulls double duty and the silicone circle acts like a makeshift oven mitt helping campers to disassemble the grill while it's still hot.