Abstract: A top grill converter for a conventional outdoor electric or gas-fired grill is disclosed. The converter is a cartridge having side, front and back walls, a foraminous floor and a roof-forming undulated heat shield. Contained within the cartridge are preferentially regulated heating elements and heat transferring rocks. Means are provided for suspending the cartridge inside the lid of a conventional outdoor cooker and other means are shown for holding the cartridge level within the lid when the lid is raised and lowered. In use, food will be placed on a grill and the converter will be lowered over the food to cook it. Because the flame is above the food, grease and liquid secretions from the food will not catch on fire and "flare-ups" are eliminated.