For people who only grill a couple times a year or a small amount this thing is great for the price. The plastic handle didn't get too hot and we didn't have that much of a problem the the coals going out. Just to make sure, from other peoples reviews I shoved a knife the the bottom holes (with a mitt on) once in a while to make sure, so that may have had something to do with it. I wouldn't use it on a wooden deck though but since our porch is cement/concrete it was fine.