COCHRANE— A new Cochrane-based business is aiming to improve the camping experience by bringing smokeless firepits to the market.
Dexter Hamilton, the founder of Coulee Outdoor, picked Cochrane to be the home of his new business as it boasts the “best of both worlds' location with the city close by, and the mountains right there at your doorstep.”
Founded in December of 2020 on the basis that “innovation starts with what's not working,” Hamilton wanted to create a product that was perfect for anybody who loves spending time outdoors.
“[Me and my family] didn't love the smoke and the smell of campfires, so we did some research to see what would work,” Dexter said. Born from this idea is the line of Coulee Outdoor fire pits.
Hamilton decided on the name while sitting around a fire trying to decide what he wanted the name to be.
“I thought it was a great name for an outdoor company. I looked West to the mountains and everybody has something to do with the Rocky Mountains, so I looked the other way and thought the Coulees. I remember all the fun I had at the Coulees, especially growing up and biking and hiking and there's the river that runs through. Coulee Outdoor, there we go!”
Hamilton decided to set up shop in Cochrane location due to its proximity to the city and the mountains. “All the different activities you can do at your doorstep and I feel like people would love to come to Cochrane and I could attract some people to stay in Cochrane or come to Cochrane from the city as we grow.”
In the years before moving to Cochrane, Hamilton worked in a retail location selling patio furniture, fire pits, propane, natural gas and “anything outdoor living.” More recently he worked for a primarily wood pellet and barbecue manufacturer and attributes much of his knowledge to his time spent there.
Originally from Edmonton, Hamilton said, he always knew he wanted to be an entrepreneur.
“I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. So, I knew what I wanted in that sense. And then timing worked out well with my family, my wife got offered a good job at the University of Calgary and had this opportunity to rise and we thought, you know what, it's time to jump out and go for it.”
While many buyers' interests are with the design and look, the obvious benefit is the lack of smoke produced.
“It's all about airflow in the design … We have a dual wall on these fire pits so the air comes in and it gets pulled through the secondary burn and once there is an optimal burn going, you'll start seeing it come through the holes on the outside,” Hamilton said. “My wife's favourite feature is her hair's not going to smell like smoke every single time we have one.”
The firepits are made in southern Alberta, Hamilton said, explaining that he has taken pride in helping the local economy as his business has grown.
“When you purchase something from Coulee Outdoor not only are you supporting Coulee Outdoor, but also the Canadian company we buy the packaging from and the person who does my graphic designs, and the person who does my photography and all that sort of things,” he said.
In the business’s future, Hamilton hopes Coulee Outdoor will continue to innovate and bring good quality and long-lasting products to people.
“We have a vision to make this a national brand in Canada. We want to be all across Canada. We think Cochrane is a perfect place to do that. What's more outdoorsy than Cochrane, you get it all,” he said.
Coulee Outdoor currently offers three different styles of smokeless firepits— The CouleeCamp, CouleeGo, and CouleeYard each with a different intended use and price points.
“We're looking to bring new products to market that you'll be able to use for many, many years.”
Right now, the company is set up at the Corner Coworking, a co-sharing office and warehouse, that they are using until they find a permanent location.
“We’re now looking to partner with a couple of retailers who can show off our products and we're trying to find the right person because we want the person to love it as much as we do,” Hamilton said. “We would love to get involved with restaurants or different events that are around Cochrane even just us coming in and helping out as well just get involved within the community.”
To learn more or to purchase a Coulee Outdoor firepit, visit couleeoutdoor.com.
