As a carnivore lifestyle follower, I love adding diversity to my meals, and Japanese cuisine is a perfect way to achieve that.
I've been grilling hibachi steaks for seven years now, but with different types and variations of hibachi grills available on the market, investing in the perfect Japanese hibachi grill can be an uphill task.
Luckily, I've tried and tested quite a few of them, and here's a detailed review of the best Hibachi grills you can buy for your next BBQ session.
Let's get started.
The Best Hibachi Grills
- Best Overall Hibachi Grill: Lodge Sportsman's Pro Cast Iron Grill
- Cheapest Hibachi Grill: Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable
- Easiest-to-Assemble Hibachi Grill: Cajun Classic Seasoned Charcoal Grill
- Hibachi Grill Best for Small Spaces: Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable
- Best Round Hibachi Grill: Cajun Classic Seasoned Charcoal Grill
- Best Gas Hibachi Grill: Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable
6 Best Hibachi Grills
1 - Lodge Sportsman's Pro Cast Iron Grill (Best Overall)
- Excellent hibachi grilling performance
- Streamlined grill design
- Durable cast iron hibachi grill
- Easy charcoal swap and clean out
- A bit heavy
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Campers and outdoor adventurers
Who is it not for?
- Large gatherings
Final Verdict
Durable and portable cast iron grill, perfect for camping and small outdoor activities. Its size limits its use for larger group cookouts.
The Lodge Sportsman's Grill is a high-end traditional hibachi grill. Although the seasoned cast iron requires routine servicing, most owners adore this tiny grill and use it for picnics and BBQ tailgating.
To my surprise, I discovered that the Lodge cast iron hibachi grill is large enough to cook for my whole family, and the grill is also portable, which made it a great addition to my tailgating sessions.
I love that the cooking grate is naturally pre-seasoned with no chemicals. The cast iron hibachi grill also has a flip-down door to feed the coals, a draft door to manage heat, and a slide-out ash tray for cleaning once you've finished cooking.
This charcoal hibachi grill is also a fuel-saver because of its superior heat retention. But because there is no lid to extinguish the fire, you would have to shovel out burning charcoal into a metal container after cooking [1].
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 360 square inches
- Dimensions : 19.38 x 9.69 x 7.56 inches
- Max temperature : 425 degrees
- Material : cast iron
2 - Everdure Cube BBQ
- Good value for money
- It is lightweight
- Has an integrated storage tray
- No cooking lid
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Picnics and beach outings
Who is it not for?
- High-volume cooking
Final Verdict
Stylish and highly portable, ideal for casual outdoor events. Limited cooking capacity makes it unsuitable for large gatherings.
The Everdure Cube BBQ is an exquisite solution for small families, couples, or anybody with limited outdoor space.
The hibachi grill is simple to operate, and, most importantly, it looks fantastic in your yard. This charcoal barbeque, which comes in various colors, sits attractively on a table and makes cooking a breeze.
It's tiny and portable and great for cooking burgers, sausages, and smaller pieces of meat or vegetables.
“The smaller something is, the more precise heat energy it takes to get it great, glazy or crispy exterior before you overcook the inside.” - ChefSteps
This portable BBQ has handles for convenient movement, and the grips keep it cool to the touch while charcoal grilling. Every time I use it, I find it simple to light.
I had no trouble cooking up to 6 hamburgers at a time, and it held heat quite well. This makes it versatile to be used for numerous rounds of cooking over a long period.
I love that this hibachi grill has simple user instructions that show how to check the grill's temperature before placing food on it.
The only drawback to this barbeque grill I discovered was that it lacks a cover that you can utilize for slow cooking and smoking.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 115 square inches
- Dimensions : 13.7 x 16.7 x 9.1 inches
- Max temperature : 176 degrees
- Material : Alloy steel
3 - Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable (Cheapest Gas & for Small Spaces)
- Easy to light
- Heats up pretty fast
- Great fit for limited spaces
- Small grilling area
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Small households and travelers
Who is it not for?
- Large families
Final Verdict
Compact and efficient for small spaces and travel. Limited cooking space might not be sufficient for bigger families or parties.
Unlike other charcoal hibachi grills, the Cuisinart stainless steel propane gas grill is sturdy and long-lasting. It's small but cooks just as well as a full-size barbecue.
It runs on propane gas and has a twist-turn ignition for quick hibachi grill lighting.
The Cuisinart petit gas grill is ideal for tiny decks and patios and any other area with limited space. I appreciate that because of its small size, the heat is kept closer to the grill grate, making it more fuel efficient than larger gas grills.
I recommend this tabletop hibachi grill if you want something ideal for seaside BBQs, tailgating, or camping.
However, I’m disappointed that this authentic hibachi grill only has one burner and a small cooking surface area. I don’t find it an excellent fit for holding large cookout sessions.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 145 square inches
- Dimensions : 17.6 x 18.6 x 11.8 inches
- Max temperature : 200 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel, porcelain enamel
4 - Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill
- Easy to assemble and disassemble
- Even heat distribution
- Durable cast iron construction
- Handles get hot when cooking
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Hibachi and charcoal cooking enthusiasts
Who is it not for?
- Those preferring gas grills
Final Verdict
Traditional hibachi experience with durable construction. Heavy and less portable, which may be inconvenient for frequent movers.
The Bruntmor pre-seasoned cast iron hibachi grill is equipped to handle your cooking needs, whether you enjoy charcoal grilling your steaks, fish, or poultry.
Installation and disassembly of this cast iron tabletop hibachi grill are very straightforward and convenient for portability.
To provide the highest level of safety possible, the charcoal box/ fire bowl of this traditional charcoal grill is made with premium cast iron and is excellent for both indoor and outdoor cooking at home. The premium cast iron provides enduring and secure outdoor grilling.
Thanks to a robust cast iron construction, you can enjoy optimal heat dispersion even over an erratic fire.
With the multi-stage air temperature control design of this charcoal grill, you can easily regulate the airflow, aid in the evaporation of the charcoal, and uniformly cook your foods.
I like the charcoal access door on the front and the damper on the bottom plate that facilitates easier temperature control. However, the handles get pretty hot during cooking, which can be an inconvenience if you don't have extra thick oven mitts to hold them with.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 168 square inches
- Dimensions : 13.98 x 18.98 x 10 inches
- Max temperature : 170 degrees
- Material : Cast iron
5 - Cajun Classic Seasoned Charcoal Grill (Best Round & Easiest to Assemble)
- Sturdy handle
- Durable 100% cast iron construction
- Efficient air control
- Carry handles are narrow
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Backyard BBQ lovers and small families
Who is it not for?
- Large-scale cookouts
Final Verdict
Provides a classic grilling experience with robust build quality. Slightly smaller cooking surface might not suffice for larger events.
With its circular pre-seasoned cast-iron cooking surface, this mini-hibachi grill is highly portable, weighing only 40 lbs and measuring only 15 inches wide and 8 inches tall.
Even though the ultra-compact cooking surface might not always be ideal, those who appreciate their Cajun grill's mobility are compelled to pay the price for convenience.
In my view, despite its diminutive size, the hibachi grill feels much larger than anticipated while in use.
I also find it fairly sturdy, and on top of that, it cleans up quite simply and quickly produces delicious grill marks on food.
I love that it has a helpful tool for grate raising, damper setting, or stoking the coals without getting your fingers burned. However, I didn't appreciate that the grate is set in one position for cooking, which limits your control.
Importantly, you can control airflow through a front vent, which enables you to change the heat as needed.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 168 square inches
- Dimensions : 15 x 8.0 inches
- Max temperature : 150 degrees
- Material : Cast iron
6 - Mars Allen Hibachi Grill
- Well-joined cast iron
- Easy to put together
- Movable cast iron grate
- Wooden handles are prone to cracking
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Beginners and budget-conscious buyers
Who is it not for?
- Professional chefs
Final Verdict
Affordable and straightforward hibachi grill, easy to assemble and use. Some quality issues reported, but it provides good value for occasional grilling.
The Mars Allen hibachi grill utilizes charcoal and features two barbecue grates that make up the 157-square-inch grilling surface. Each grill grate has a lovely wooden handle that keeps the grates cool to the touch.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the three different height adjustments for the two barbecue grates, which makes producing various temperatures pretty simple.
This cast iron hibachi grill takes some time to heat up, but once it does, it can hold onto the heat for several hours. I advise applying butter or oil to the surface before preheating to avoid food adhering, which will make your cleaning process even easier.
This hibachi grill includes two air vents intended to control the airflow entering the grill, but in my experience, they didn't do anything to change the temperature.
Note that manual cleaning is required since the grates are cast iron. So, before storing this grill, please give it a quick cleaning, a thorough wipe with paper towels, and an oil coating.
Also, this charcoal grill gets hot on the bottom, so I wouldn't advise using it on a plastic patio table or surface.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 157 square inches
- Dimensions : 10 x 18 inches
- Max temperature : 180 degrees
- Material : Cast iron
Best Hibachi Grills Buyer's Guide
Here's what you should look for if you want to invest in a top-quality hibachi grill that will stand the test of time if you're a frequent griller.
1. Type of Material
Several materials are used to make the best hibachi grills, and each has pros and cons. These materials include cast iron, aluminum, and stainless steel.
If you're a camper or like to grill on the road, I recommend using aluminum grills because they're way lighter. However, note that these aren't as strong as the other materials.
Stainless steel is heavier and slightly more resilient, although it has limited heat distribution capabilities. If you want the best of all worlds, consider and hibachi grill with this material.
Cast iron is the most favored and suggested choice of the three. If this is your preferred material, you can go for Cajun, Lodge Sportsman's, or Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Grill. Despite being heavy, cast iron grills have good properties for distributing heat.
Cast iron's sole drawback is the possibility of rusting, which you can easily avoid by seasoning your grill well after each cooking session.
Also Read: Best Stainless Steel Grills
2. Construction Design
Because it would not be economically feasible to utilize stainless steel fully, grill manufacturers frequently use painted steel for other parts and porcelain-enamel cast iron for the grates.
Examine the grill parts well and go with the most sturdy construction design.
Get an adjustable coal bed grill if you want to switch between direct and indirect cooking. With this function, you can quickly increase or reduce the flame of the food on the grate so that you may either sear it or let it slowly cook to perfection.
If you probably stoke the fire frequently while cooking, choose a grill with simple access to the coal bed so you may add or remove coal to make life simpler.
The air vents, also known as dampers, are another thing to look for. This will help with precise temperature adjustments during cooking.
3. Maintenance and Cleaning
Despite the unrivaled cooking power of hibachi charcoal grills, some people find the cleaning trade-offs to be too much.
After every cook, ash, soot, and burnt food will build at the bottom of the grill; therefore, choosing a barbecue with an easy-slide ash pan or tray to collect residues is a good idea.
Hand cleaning is the only alternative because charcoal grills have large grates that can’t fit into sinks and standard dishwashers.
Among the most popular materials for grates, I recommend going for stainless steel that is strong, resistant to corrosion, and easily cleaned with regular dish soap.
4. Portability
Hibachi grills are often relatively lightweight. You should invest in one that is portable and has a handle for easier lifting and carrying around. One of the main benefits of a hibachi grill is that you can bring it along for picnics or camping trips.
Typically, it is not worthwhile to purchase a large hibachi grill because someday, you may eventually buy a bigger standard gas or charcoal grill barbecue for more cooking space. So it's best to buy a small, lightweight hibachi grilling appliance for distant cookouts.
5. Size
Before making a final purchase, please verify the entire cooking surface area of a particular Hibachi portable grill. Your cooking style and the quantity of food you can grill at one time largely depend on the total surface area of the hibachi grill.
I recommend going for larger grills, such as Lodge cast iron hibachi grill, with separate places for hot charcoal in the basin.
These areas allow you to load or remove charcoal and have varying heat levels in different areas of the grill. With this option, you can sear certain dishes while warming others simultaneously.
6. Convenient Add-ons
It takes a lot of work to man the BBQ station. As a griller, invest in useful add-ons and extra features on a cast iron hibachi grill that may enhance your overall performance and comfort to make things simpler and more pleasant.
Many hibachi grills come with add-ons like racks, hooks, smokestacks, and casters. So, ensure you inquire if these features come with the package or if you'll buy them separately.
7. Pricing
Your budget is another crucial thing to consider when buying a portable charcoal grill or an electric hibachi grill.
Hibachi grills tend to be less costly than comparable appliances. However, that doesn't mean you can't set a budget or a spending cap for one.
While choosing the highest quality portable grill is recommended, you may readily opt for alternatives that are both less expensive and of excellent quality.
It goes without saying that you should consider different brand alternatives and what they offer, particularly if you're on a limited budget.
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Who Should Buy a Hibachi Grill?
People who don’t have plenty of space or only need to cook for a small group should buy a hibachi grill.
They save space but still provide enough intensity from the charcoal most hibachi grills use as fuel. Most importantly, these grills are extremely affordable and fit any budget.
Who Shouldn’t Buy a Hibachi Grill?
People who want to try indirect cooking, smoking, and searing shouldn’t buy a hibachi grill. These grills also produce a lot of smoke and generally have poor heat control.
FAQs
Is a Charcoal Hibachi Grill Better Than a Gas Hibachi Grill?
Yes, a charcoal hibachi grill is better than a gas hibachi grill. Nothing beats the smoky flavor that charcoal infuses to food grilled on a charcoal grill.
Should I Season My Hibachi Grill Before or After Grilling?
You should season your Hibachi grill before grilling. This is a great maintenance practice to prevent food from sticking to the surface and help with easier cleaning.
Is It Advisable To Cook Large Meat on Hibachi Grills?
No, it's not advisable to cook large meat on hibachi grills because they lack a lid to trap enough heat to cook the meat through.
What Is the Best Hibachi Grill for You?
Lodge Sportsman's Grill is the best hibachi grill for you if you're looking for a portable device.
For starters, the classic hibachi grill has an indestructible design, is rust-resistant, and is climate-versatile. Plus, it comes with vents and two grilling heights for precise temperature and heat adjustments.
I recommend this hibachi grill as it heats up pretty fast, so you can be up and grilling in virtually no time.
Lodge Sportsman's Pro Cast Iron Grill (Best Overall)
Our #1 Recommendation
- Excellent hibachi grilling performance
- Streamlined grill design
- Durable cast iron hibachi grill
- Easy charcoal swap and clean out
References:
- https://raleighnc.gov/education-and-learning/news/smells-great-grilling-safety-tips-successful-cookout
