Tropitone Furniture Company, Inc. opened the International Casual Furnishings Association Preview Market at the Chicago Merchandise Mart by announcing the introduction of Table Top Grill Pans to complement the new line of Tropitone® brand Fire Pits.

“For the past few years, end user customers, designers and distribution partners have urged Tropitone to develop Fire Pits,” said Tom Keddy, Director of Product Management. “We introduced our first models of Fire Pits at the ICFA Preview Market as integral parts of our table program. Since the Tropitone® brand is synonymous with outdoor enjoyment, we decided to add even more fun to the Fire Pits.”

The Tropitone® Table Top Grill Pans are intended to capitalize on the worldwide emergence of the interactive cooking experience popularized under the generic
name “Korean BBQ”. This type of cooking experience is characterized by each person at the table cooking thinly-sliced meats and vegetables to their satisfaction on a grill located at the center of the table. The generic name refers a type of cooking originated in Korea that is rapidly spreading internationally.

“Other than the purely social aspects, we believe that the attraction of interactive Table Top Grilling is largely driven by lighter ingredients and smaller portion sizes,” commented Frank Verna, Director of Sales and Business Development. “Tapas, appetizers and smaller meals are a part of the enjoyment of the casual outdoor experience. Interactive Table Top Grilling will enhance that experience.”

The Table Top Grill Pans are specifically designed to be used with Tropitone® brand Fire Pits without removing the burner system media. “Our objective was to expand the use and enjoyment of Fire Pits,” commented Brian Mehler, Director of Design. “The Table Top Grill Pans were designed to fit right on top of the Fire Pit burner system pan without removing the media. The Grill Pan is designed to protect the Fire Pit media from drips so it is very easy to use. When you are done with cooking, simply lift the Grill Pan off the Fire Pit by its handles for easy clean-up.”

Table Top Grill Pans are offered in Round and Square models. The Grill Pans are made of heavy-duty cast aluminum for effective heat transfer and include a hard anodized cooking surface for ease of use and clean-up. Tropitone has applied for two patents and are pending approval by the US Patent and Trademark Office.

“Tropitone is very excited about our introduction of Fire Pits and complementing them with Table Top Grilling,” said Keddy. “Fire Pits transform a passive table into an active, fun product. The interaction created by the addition of Table Top Grilling takes personal involvement and outdoor enjoyment to an even higher level.”

The Tropitone® brand was originally established as a commercial brand in 1954 when car travel was starting to boom in the USA. As travelers became familiar with Tropitone® brand products at hotels and motels, they began asking where they could buy such comfortable, stylish and high quality products for their homes. Tropitone decided to fill that demand by offering products for sale at retail. Tropitone changed the standards for an entire industry by applying the rigorous product and service requirements of the highly-demanding commercial market to the residential market. The Company now has broad and deep portfolios of products specifically designed for each of the commercial and residential market segments, all with the same standards of excellence.

Tropitone is headquartered in Irvine, CA and is recognized throughout the casual furniture marketplace for its product design leadership and commitment to service and value. The Company was named 2011 Manufacturer of the Year by the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). Commercial products are sold to multiple customer segments including hospitality, multi-housing, clubs and cruise ships. Consumer products are marketed through specialty retailers & designers. Products are marketed under the Tropitone®, Basta Sole® and Tropitone® MODA™ trademarks. The Company operates primary manufacturing facilities in Irvine, CA and Sarasota, FL.