Heating table with adjustable-height grill

A cooking system comprising:

• a heating apparatus comprising a recessed combustion chamber for receiving a combustible fuel, the recessed combustion chamber comprising a floor and four walls forming a cuboidal shape with an opening;
• a cooking surface comprising a planar surface substantially parallel to the floor, an aperture in the planar surface, and two opposing friction members;
• a friction rod having a distal end near the floor and a proximate end near the opening of the heating apparatus, the friction rod passing through the aperture and between the two opposing friction members;
• wherein friction between the friction rod and the friction members is induced by the weight of the cooking surface, and wherein the friction holds the cooking surface above and substantially parallel to the floor, and
• wherein canting a portion of the cooking surface toward the opening of the heating apparatus reduces the friction between the friction rod and the friction members such that the cooking surface can be raised or lowered relative to the floor.