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The word hibachi literally means “fire bowl” in Japanese. Although nobody is quite sure what exact features a grill should have in order to be called a “hibachi grill”, it’s clear that these grills are always inspired by traditional Asian cooking vessels.
In Japan simplicity is seen as a virtue, hence the simplicity of traditional hibachi grills. In short, this could be just a large earthen or metal bowl that sits on your table. All you need to do is put coals inside and grill your dinner – there’s not much to it. Modern hibachi girls are designed to make grilling at the tabletop even more convenient. From tiny grills to larger tabletop grills that give you quite a bit of space to work with – today’s hibachi grill buying guide covers it all.
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Best Hibachi Grills – Comparison Table
Best Hibachi Grills – Reviews
The Sportsman’s Grill from Lodge is one of our all-time favorites when it comes to small charcoal grills. The reason is simple: it’s really hard to find quality grills like this one these days. Unlike most charcoal grills these days, Lodge doesn’t make any compromises regarding the quality of the materials they use. In fact, they use only cast iron. Just like the cast iron pans Lodge is mostly known for, this little grill is made of 100% cast iron.
But what is so cool about cast iron? Well, this heavy material is the best one around when it comes to retaining heat. Cast iron absorbs the heat from the coals and radiates it into your food for a prolonged period of time. What this means is that this little grill will always maintain a stable temperature. Moreover, it is really efficient too so you can get more grilling done with less coals.
In fact, you need to be really careful with this grill not to overdo it with the coals. Once you overheat the Lodge Sportsman’s grill, it will be hard to cool it down. For people using this grill for the first time, this can seem like a problem, but once you figure it out, it’s actually an advantage. With just a bit of coal, you can hold a steady grilling temperature, and if you want a searing hot grill (for searing a steak, for example), all you need to do is just add a bit more charcoal.
The Lodge Sportsman’s grill is a simple grill that works well and will last literally a lifetime. It’s a great grill for any backyard and it fits nicely into the center of a table. That being said, it’s not really the best bet if you are looking for a portable grill for camping: being made of cast iron, this grill weighs 27 pounds despite the small size.
- Constructed of heavy-duty polyester with PVC backing
- Shock-corded edge stretches to fit tightly
- Grill measures 19 by 10 by 8 inches
- Soot or moisture wipes off
- Designed to fit Lodge Sportsman Grill, item #L410
- Cast iron grilling grate retains heat
- Stable construction
- Easy to use
- Good airflow control
- Quite heavy
The ISUMER Portable Charcoal Grill is as close to a perfect portable hibachi-style grill as it gets. It’s the perfect grill to be used right at the tabletop, or while camping or making a picnic.
The simple but functional design is the greatest advantage of this grill. The body is made mostly of stainless steel which is really good news if you plan to use this grill outdoors. Stainless steel is resistant to corrosion and rust and it can stand up to all kinds of weather conditions. Moreover, the stainless steel is thickened in strategic places so the grill doesn’t warp even after years of use.
Another thing we loved about this grill is how compact it is (while still providing a decent grilling surface). The ISUMER Portable Charcoal Grill comes with 4 detachable legs. Once you remove the legs, you can easily pack this grill in any bag. The legs have plastic tips on their ends, These tips have a little adjustment mechanism that lets you adjust the height of each leg. This means you can get a perfectly horizontal cooking surface even if you place the ISUMER grill on uneven ground.
- Portable Charcoal Grill- The BBQ grill has four detachable legs, paired with convenient handles, easy to store and carry. Perfect for camping, backpacking, picnics, tailgate parties, camping, trailers, parks, and grilling in small spaces.
- Firm and Durable BBQ Grill - This portable charcoal grill is made from high heat resistant stainless steel material, solid and excellent abrasive resistance, no rust, no twist, durable and long lasting.
- Easy Assembly and Easy To Clean - This charcoal BBQ grills can be folded up and torn down in an instant .Convenience to take it to anywhere to have fun. Durable plated steel cooking grate retains heat and is easy to clean.
- Adjustable Height and Balance - The small charcoal grill has 4 legs the bottom of which has a plastic floor mat, The mat may adjust the nomad grill’ height and balance.
- Grill Size & Accessories - Assembled Size: Approx.15.9*11*8.8in (40.5x28x22.5cm), Folded Size: Approx.15*11*4in (38x28x10cm), Accessories :BBQ housing, grill, coal, fuel grill. Recommendations for the use of the environment: building balconies, garden. Recommendations for the use of numbers: 2-5.
- Lightweight but durable
- Removable legs for portability
- Easy airflow control
- Easy to set up and take apart
- Replacement parts can’t be purchased separately
If you want to treat yourself to an authentic and fun grilling experience at home, this hibachi set from Update International could be a hit.
This little Hibachi Set was inspired by traditional Asian cooking vessels. It’s round, and approximately the size of a large teacup. The cooking surface measures 3.5 inches in diameter so be warned: this tiny grill is not big enough for large cuts of meat.
What it is great for, however, is cooking small cuts of pretty much anything directly at the table. Meat cut into small pieces, shrimps, mushrooms, or even smores – it will all come out great on this tiny grill. Plus, it provides fun for the whole family and can even be used indoors. Since it’s so small, if you plan to host a hibachi-style barbecue party for more than two people, you might want to get two of these little grills. Luckily, the Update International Cast Iron Hibachi Set is so affordable that even getting two won’t make too much of an influence on your budget.
This tabletop grill features a thick body made of cast iron with a wooden base. The base allows you to use this grill directly on your table, although it is advisable to use some kind of a platter underneath, simply to catch anything that might fall off this tiny grill.
- Quality Construction - Made from cast iron with elegant wood base
- Easy Clean - Features a removable grill, making it easier to clean out crumbs and residue
- Get Cooking - Totally non-electric, this grill includes a fuel holder
- Individual size - Perfect size for 12" - 14" platter
- Well-made and durable
- Suitable for indoor use
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy and fun to use
- Affordable
- Only for small cuts of meat
Char-Broil is a well-known name in the world of grilling, and this little charcoal grill is probably the cutest one they’ve made. What we love the most about the Char-Broil Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill is how versatile it is. You can use it at the tabletop for a fun dinner, take it camping with you, or just use it on the ground in your backyard. And when you’re finished, this grill folds down neatly for storage.
The base of this grill is 20.5 inches long (including the handles) and 12.6 inches wide. This means you get 190 square inches of cooking space, but this grill will still fit on a large table. If you don’t like the cramped space of standard hibachi grills, this one might be more to your liking. Two large steaks will fit here without problems, for example.
Another great thing about this grill is that it comes with a lid, which is often not the case with hibachi grills. Both the base and the lid come with handles that are heat-resistant so you don’t have to worry about burning yourself.
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- Folds down neatly for travel or storage
- Good value for money
- Large cooking area for a hibachi-style grill
- Features heat-resistant handles
- No dampers for airflow control
![Uten Barbecue Grill Portable Lightweight Simple Charcoal Grill Perfect Foldable Premium BBQ Grill for Outdoor Campers Barbecue Lovers Travel Park Beach Wild etc.[Small, Black]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G9emISszS._SL160_.jpg)
Simple, easy to set up, lightweight, and perfect for grilling at the tabletop. This is a description of a perfect hibachi-style grill, and this is what this little grill from Uten Barbecue is. If you are looking for a quick and affordable solution that you can set up at your table right away, this grill might be right for you.
The cooking surface on the Uten Barbecue Foldable Charcoal Grill is 35 inches wide and 24 inches deep. This gives you a decent amount of space to work with, so you are not restricted only to tiny cuts of meat. The body of this grill is made of cold-rolled iron. The metal is rather thin, but still quite sturdy and doesn’t bend with use.
Moreover, there is another benefit that comes with using metal that’s ot incredibly thick: this grill is also very lightweight. It weighs only 4 pounds. In addition to this, this Uten Barbecue grill folds down neatly when not in use to look just like a briefcase with a handle on top. Overall, it’s a great grill whether you want to use it at home or while camping. It will let you cook comfortably for 3 to 5 people.
- ★ GO ANYWHERE: This tiny portable charcoal grill can go with you and your family for a road trip or a beach party etc. Perfect for 3-5 people family/party.
- ★ COMPACT and STURDY: Made of cold-rolled iron and premium chrome Wire mesh. Heat-resistant and scratch-resistant. Legs are more sturdy than similar products.
- ★ FOLDABLE EASY STORAGE: It can be folded away after you use. Handle designed make it save space and is convenient to take it to anywhere to have fun.
- ★ 12 AIRWAY VENT: Star a fire Faster and Easier with 12 Airway Vent design. Easy to clean as the baking net can be pulled out. WARNING: Use it on a flat, sturdy surface or table.
- ★ PERFECT GIFT: Uten folding portable lightweight BBQ grill is a perfect BBQ tool for beach, picnics, parties, trailers, a camping trip or anywhere you want.
- Perfect for tabletop use
- Folds down neatly for portability
- Lightweight but sturdy
- Affordable
- The cooking rack could be more durable
Best Hibachi Grills – Buyers Guide
How To Choose A Good Hibachi Grill?
When it comes to choosing a hibachi grill, you should pay attention to some general characteristics just like with any kind of grill. Plus, you probably want a grill that will fit nicely on your table. Here is what to look out for when choosing a hibachi grill:
Material
Just like with any type of grill, the material a hibachi grill is made of is of the utmost importance. A grill made with quality materials will perform better and last longer than a flimsy cheap grill.
If you want to use your hibachi grill at home and aren’t too concerned about the weight, cast iron is your best option. Cast iron grills like the one from Lodge we chose as our top pick are amazingly stable and durable, plus you get the heat retaining properties of cast iron.
If you want a portable grill, though, cast iron might be too heavy. In this case, stainless steel is a good option as it is sturdy and weather-resistant while also being much lighter than cast iron.
Size
Yes, most hibachi grills are small, but how small do you really want to go? If you want something really small and authentic, the Update International Cast Iron Hibachi Set might be right for you, but for more than 2 people you’ll need more than one of these tiny grills.
The other extreme is something like the Char-Broil Portable Tabletop Charcoal Grill, which has quite a generous cooking surface, but still fits on a large table. To find the right size, think about where you will use your grill and measure how much space you have. Make sure to leave some space around the grill – this way the cooking will be a lot less messy.
Portability
It’s a good idea to decide whether you want a portable hibachi grill, or one you will only use at home before you start looking at products to purchase. If you want to take your grill on a hiking or camping trip, you’ll want to look for something lightweight that packs nicely for traveling. The ISUMER Portable Charcoal Grill and the Uten Barbecue Foldable Charcoal Grill are both good choices in this case.
On the other hand, if you want to use your hibachi grill at home, you don’t have to worry about weight. In this case – the heavier the grill the better. Heavy, full-bodied grills simply last longer, so why not get one?
Final Thoughts
Hibachi grills are a great thing to have – literally for anyone. No matter how much space you have to work with, a hibachi grill will fit in nicely. We chose the Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill as our top pick simply because it works great and you can use it right out of the box since it’s pre-seasoned. However, if you want something with a lower price tag, the ISUMER Portable Charcoal Grill will do the job just as well.
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