"The grill that thinks like furniture" – designer Klaus Rath on the new Cucina
The article is from Morsø Magasinet 2026
After more than a decade of outdoor design, Morsø is now rethinking the gas grill – and with designer Klaus Rath at the drawing board, it’s finally allowed to be more than a tool. It becomes a piece of furniture. Welcome to the next chapter in Morsø’s outdoor universe: CUCINA.
Klaus Rath has been a key figure in Morsø’s outdoor journey from the start. He was the one who originally designed the iconic cast iron Morsø Forno, a pizza oven, grill and outdoor oven in one, which became such a success that it kickstarted Morsø’s modern outdoor venture.
“The timing back then was perfect,” Klaus recalls. “Morsø wanted an outdoor product that could supplement the wood burning stove season. The Forno became the first stepping stone on the road to something bigger.”
Since then, Morsø’s outdoor universe has grown into a portfolio of grills, outdoor ovens, tables and accessories – all sharing the same rounded design language, calm silhouette and grounded Nordic feel. And now another chapter is added to the story: CUCINA.
A gas grill that thinks like a piece of furniture
CUCINA is Morsø’s take on a modern gas grill – but it’s conceived quite differently from many of the models on the market, which still have functional, masculine and machine oriented designs.
“American-style grills can probably grill well, but they’re hard to furnish around,” says Klaus. “Our ambition was to create a grill you want to look at. Something you’re happy to have on display, even when you’re not using it.”
That’s why CUCINA is designed for the home where the outdoor aesthetics are just as important as the interior. Instead of dominating the terrace, it blends into its surroundings, where the soft radii, the rounded top and the calm geometry not only make it more unisex, but also more like a piece of outdoor furniture than functional equipment. The height has been carefully considered, and the materials were chosen to make the grill robust and aesthetically pleasing.
This balance between form and function was crucial from the first sketch. Frederik Pelle Jacobsen, Head of Operations and Sustainability at Morsø, elaborates: “We wanted to make a grill that both performs well and fits in. The internal height and smaller air volume actually mean it can reach high temperatures faster with less power. So the shape isn’t just aesthetic – it also makes the grill better to use.”
The practical details have also been considered from the start: the gas canister can be hidden away behind the doors, the drip tray is pulled out from the front, and the stainless steel grate ensures long life and minimal maintenance.
Two models, same ambition
To cater to different needs, CUCINA is being launched in two versions: a standard and a pro model.
The standard model offers everything most people need, while the pro model expands the experience with extra workspace via elegant, foldable side tables, a flexible warming and bread shelf with adjustable height, and a ceramic sear burner that gives steaks the coveted caramelised crust. It’s the same design DNA, just with greater control, capacity and culinary freedom for passionate grill enthusiasts.
“We wanted to make the world’s most beautiful grill,” says Frederik. “But it also had to be affordable for ordinary people. Accessibility is an important part of the task, so both models will be in an affordable price range – though the pro version will naturally be more expensive.”
It shows in the overall design: both models share the same design language and materials. They only differ in function.
A product born of experience
Work on CUCINA began during the pandemic, when outdoor spaces suddenly became everyday refuges, and more people than ever wanted a grill that both performed well and suited their style. Since then, the product has gone through a long development process with idea testing, technical evaluations and adjustments, in close collaboration between Klaus and Frederik.
“It’s great to have discussions and challenge each other – you need that. That’s how ideas get better,” says Klaus. “Frederik sees the possibilities in the construction, I see the form – and together we find the right balance.”
Frederik nods: “In reality, CUCINA is the distillation of more than a decade
of experience with grills. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned and built on
it, so we can create more heat, easier maintenance and an even better user experience.”
The start of something bigger
Even though CUCINA will be launched as a standalone grill, it was conceived as part of a wider future range. The height matches Morsø’s existing outdoor tables, the wheels are the same, and the proportions are aligned. If Morsø one day decides to develop modular outdoor kitchens that can be built up and adapted to individual terraces or gardens, the foundation is already in place – because CUCINA already feels like the centre of a system just waiting to be expanded.
“You shouldn’t promise anything before you know whether it makes sense,” says Klaus. “But CUCINA has the potential to become part of a modular system. It never hurts to think in terms of flexibility.”
Whether the dream becomes reality depends on the market, needs and developments, but the product is prepared for the possibility. CUCINA is expected to arrive at retailers in spring 2026 and will make its international debut at the Ambiente fair in Frankfurt, one of the world’s leading design fairs.
Built for years, not seasons
CUCINA is neither futuristic, gadget-heavy nor showy. Instead, it builds on more than 170 years of Morsø DNA: warmth, quality, presence and calm.
“It doesn’t have to be dramatic,” says Klaus. “It’s allowed to be quiet, beautiful and functional. That’s often what gives designs the longest life.”
And perhaps that is exactly why CUCINA feels familiar, even though it’s new. It’s not designed for one season, but for many to come. For weekends, weeknight dinners, guests, traditions and slow summer days in the garden.
Not just a grill, but part of the home.
