There’s nothing quite like eating traditional Japanese food. So, how exactly can you make that happen from the comfort of your home or backyard? Well, let me introduce you to a yakitori grill
At Carnivore Style, we love Japanese food, everything from Wagyu to Kurobuta, so we decided to have a big company party and test out all of the best yakitori grills on the market. Keep reading to find out which one is our favorite.
The Best Yakitori Grills
- Best Overall Yakitori Grill: Fire Sense
- Cheapest Yakitori Grill: ISUMER Grill
- Best Indoor Electric Yakitori Takoyaki Grill: Mini Yatai
- Ideal Yakitori Charcoal Grill for Parties: Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill
Top 10 Yakitori Grills in 2024
1 - Fire Sense Rectangle Yakitori Grill (Best Overall)
- Handcrafted clay base
- Chrome grilling rack
- 2 air vents
- Includes a stand and handles
- Must keep clay exterior dry
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for outdoor barbecue enthusiasts looking for a traditional Japanese-style grill.
Who is it not for?
- Not suitable for those who need a weather-resistant grill.
Final Verdict
Offers an authentic grilling experience but requires careful handling to avoid weather or water damage.
After countless positive customer reviews, this yakitori grill seems to come out on top with consumers.
Fire Sense brings you one of the best options for cooking on a tabletop grill.
This model comes with a handmade clay base that should stay dry at all times. It helps keep the heat inside.
It comes with 2 adjustable vents on the base for temperature control. It has a chrome-plated cooking grate that is easy to clean.
It has a 17 x 10 inches surface area, which might work well on home patios or apartment balconies.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 7 x 10 x 18 inches
- Material : Ceramic
- Power Source : Charcoal
2 - ISUMER Grill Barbecue Portable BBQ (Cheapest Option)
- Stainless steel charcoal model
- 15 x 12 inches of cooking space
- Detachable legs
- Good for campsites
- More difficult to clean
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Great for campers and those needing a portable grill.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for those seeking easy cleaning.
Final Verdict
Durable and lightweight, perfect for camping and small gatherings, but cleaning can be challenging.
This ISUMER yakitori grill comes with 4 detachable legs, which makes it ideal for transporting.
It might make a good party griller or campsite companion. This traditional yakitori grill is made of stainless steel.
It is durable and easy to use with lump charcoal to cook any kind of meat you want.
This high-quality stainless steel grill has a charcoal grate on the lower level. It is easy to assemble. There is a handle on each side of the grill to make carrying it simple. The side ventilation makes it easy to control the heat.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 15.9 x 11 x 8.8 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Charcoal
3 - Kinka BBQ Diatomite Charcoal Grill (Ideal for Parties)
- Large yakitori grill
- Easy to clean
- Diatomite exterior
- Oversized handles
- Not for every budget
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for hosting large gatherings and parties.
Who is it not for?
- Not suitable for those with limited storage space.
Final Verdict
Perfect for large parties with a substantial cooking area; less ideal for small spaces or portability.
This is a large Kinka barbecue charcoal grill that can be used as a party griller. You can feed up to 7 people with this model.
The ample surface area will provide a means to cook different meats and vegetables at the same time.
The exterior is made of diatomite earth, which is heat resistant.
The oversized handles make it easy to move. It has 3 adjustable vents on the front to maintain heat and even cooking. It comes with 3 individual cooking grates.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 32.28 x 10.63 x 9.45 inches
- Material : Diatomite Earth
- Power Source : Charcoal
4 - Hinomaru Collection Tabletop Shichirin Hida Konro Grill
- Authentic Japanese yakitori grill
- Diatomaceous earth construction
- Iron cooking rack
- Wooden base
- Smaller than other models
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Perfect for traditional tabletop grilling enthusiasts.
Who is it not for?
- Not recommended for those needing a larger cooking area.
Final Verdict
Provides an authentic Japanese grilling experience in a compact form, ideal for small gatherings.
Yakitori grilling has never been more traditional than with this model. It comes straight from Japan.
It is made of diatomaceous earth that holds heat and won’t rust or warp.
This Table-top Shichirin Hida Konro Grill is perfect for use at tabletop grilling parties. It comes with 3 vents on the front and back.
They are not adjustable, but air flows freely through the base. It has a wooden base to prevent heat from transferring to any other surface. This barbecue grill comes with a zinc-plated iron grilling rack that is heavy-duty.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 12.09 x 6.69 x 5.91 inches
- Material : Paulownia Wood
- Power Source : Charcoal
5 - Japanese YAKITORI BBQ Grill Stove Mini Yatai (Best Indoor Electric)
- Easy to operate
- Grease tray
- Easily cook skewered meat
- Ideal for indoor use
- Small side handles
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Ideal for indoor use and small patio grilling.
Who is it not for?
- Not suitable for traditional charcoal grill enthusiasts.
Final Verdict
Convenient for indoor use with an electric power source, excellent for small servings but lacks charcoal flavor.
This Japanese YAKITORI BBQ Grill Stove Mini Yatai is another easy to use electric yakitori cooking stove. It can be plugged into most standard outlets.
It has a small U-shaped heating element. You can use it indoors or on your back patio without worrying about smoke. The cooking surface is smaller than the other models.
This grill features a grease tray for easy cleaning after cooking.
We would consider this more of a mini stove than a traditional Japanese-style yakitori. You can use it to feed around 2 people.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 10.75 x 6.97 x 5.47 inches
- Material : Steel
- Power Source : Charcoal
6 - Hinomaru Collection Japanese Tabletop Shichirin Konro Charcoal Grill
- 5.5 inches of cooking surface
- Dishwasher safe rack
- Portable design
- Use with charcoal briquettes
- Not as durable as other models
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Suitable for individuals or small groups who enjoy traditional charcoal grilling.
Who is it not for?
- Not ideal for large gatherings or those needing more cooking space.
Final Verdict
Portable and efficient for traditional charcoal grilling, with a small size enhancing portability but limiting capacity.
This Hinomaru Collection grill has a small cooking surface of 5.5 inches, so it is best for just one or two people. It has a wire grate that is dishwasher safe.
Charcoal briquettes are recommended for the best results. The small chamber makes it easy to start a charcoal fire quickly.
It comes with a wire mesh and wooden stand so that it doesn’t come into contact with any furniture while cooking. Due to its size, it is rather portable. You could easily bring this almost anywhere.
Due to its size, it is rather portable. You could easily bring this almost anywhere.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : 5.5 inches
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 11.61 x 7.09 x 5.79 inches
- Material : Ceramic
- Power Source : Charcoal
7 - Portable Charcoal Grill Yakitori Grill
- Battery operated fan box
- Circular design
- Mesh exterior holder
- Easy assembly
- Not for indoor use
This Portable Charcoal Grill Yakitori Grill is one of the only round ones that we tested, and it worked really well as a barbecue grill.
It comes with a battery-operated fan box, which is unique for products in this roundup.
You can place the batteries in the fan box and have constant airflow through the lump charcoal.
It comes with an outer mesh circular holder that will not get hot to the touch. The interior charcoal pit is made of steel.
You can grill meat and veggies without worrying too much about temperature control since the fan provides it.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 14.96 x 14.57 x 7.87 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Charcoal
8 - Firefly 9" Compact Portable Yakitori Charcoal Grill
- Flip-up style cooking grate
- Bucket design
- Cool to the touch wooden handle
- Includes a metal stand
- Not a lot of ventilation
This Firefly yakitori grill is also a small portable model that we would recommend for camping. It comes in a bucket design.
The chamber is made of cold-rolled iron, and it has a wooden handle that stays cool even under heat. It comes with 2 grates, one for cooking and another for the charcoal.
The top grate attaches to the grill bucket itself, so you can easily flip it up to monitor the charcoal.
You won’t have to worry about losing the top grate since it’s connected to the base. You can remove it for cleaning.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 10.25 x 10.25 x 8.25 inches
- Material : Steel
- Power Source : Charcoal
9 - StyleMbro Japanese Yakiniku Grill for Yakiniku, Robata, Yakitori, Takoyaki and BBQ
- Interior charcoal basket
- Versatile for different meat
- Ceramic-coated base
- Wooden stand
- Non-adjustable vents
According to customer reviews, you can use this to make traditional yakitori, takoyaki, robata, yakiniku, and BBQ meat with this one grill.
This StyleMbro grill features an interior steel charcoal basket, an exterior steel cooking grate, and stainless steel seasoning shakers. The charcoal basket makes it easy to light this grill. It also keeps the body clean.
This model seems to be one of the best for making multiple types of meat. The exterior body has a ceramic coating, which will protect it from any heat or fire damage.
This model seems to be one of the best for making multiple types of meat. The exterior body has a ceramic coating, which will protect it from any heat or fire damage.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 10.12 x 5.75 x 5.55 inches
- Material : Stainless Steel
- Power Source : Charcoal
10 - Asahi Japanese Yakitori Takoyaki BBQ Grill Stove Yaki Yatai
- Electric fuel source
- U-shaped heat element
- One front vent
- 3 different grilling plates
- Hard to clean
This Japanese Yakitori Takoyaki BBQ Grill Stove Yaki Yatai model is ideal for use indoors due to its electric fuel source. You can simply plug it in and start cooking with less smoke and odor.
This one comes with a grilling plate, a rack, and a takoyaki plate.
It has a U-shaped heating element and a drip tray. It is made of steel and aluminum, which makes it lightweight.
There is one easy to adjust vent on the front to keep food odors minimized. This model is small, so we recommend it for cooking small amounts of meat at a time.
Quick Facts:
- Total Grill Cooking Area : N/A
- Total BTUs : N/A
- Primary Grid Burner Number : N/A
- Dimension : 12.68 x 5.47 x 4.65 inches
- Material : Steel
- Power Source : Electric
Buyer’s Guide For Yakitori Grills
Dimensions
Are you looking for a tabletop, camping, backyard, or patio grill?
When shopping for a yakitori grill, you should keep in mind how much space you have to store and use it. It would be best if you also kept in mind where you plan to use it.
If you want to place it on your table, then one of the smaller models we reviewed would be ideal. If you’re looking to throw a big party, then a large rectangular model is a better choice.
You should also have a storage place in mind since most of these grills should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Cooking Surface
Before you buy, determine the cooking surface that will be best for you. Most yakitori grills come with stainless steel, chrome, or iron grates. Chrome-plated grates are the most expensive but also the most durable.
Stainless steel is another option that is easy to clean and won’t rust. It’s also cheaper than chrome. If you wish to learn which stainless steel grill model we think is the best, check out this page.
Iron grates tend to rust over time, so we recommend that you dry them thoroughly after washing them.
Some yakitori grills come with multiple grilling options, such as a takoyaki plate, making it more versatile. The cooking surface also determines how much food you can make.
Portability
Each grill is portable to a certain extent. Yakitori grills are much more portable than a gas grill or smoker.
The smaller the grill, the easier it is to transport. Many of these yakitori grills are designed to be taken with you to campsites or tailgating.
We recommend one of the smaller models for carrying around to your favorite campsite. Some grills even come with foldable legs.
Many of these grills also have transport handles. To be honest, some were easier to use than others.
We found that oversized side handles are better than small plastic ones. The large handles end to hold up better when you have a lot of charcoal in the base.
Ventilation
Ventilation for yakitori grills is essential for providing airflow to the charcoal fire. Some models come with adjustable vents, which are ideal for allowing as much or as little airflow as needed.
Many yakitori models come with multiple holes on the front and back to let air in, but they are not adjustable.
If you plan to grill indoors, it might be helpful to have a minimum of 3 or 4 vents since there is less airflow inside.
For outdoor use, you can likely get by with small holes since there is generally more airflow.
If you are concerned about airflow, you can also buy a small fan or fire bellow that will blow air into the charcoal fire to bring up the heat.
Ease of Use
In general, yakitori grills are very simple in their design. It is one of the most basic types of grills on the market.
The best yakitori grills come with features that make it easier for the user, such as an electric fuel source, foldable legs, built-in fans, and oversized handles.
Another factor that makes these grills simple is that they don’t require a lot of maintenance. They are generally easily cleaned and easily assembled. Most models are easy to transport to a campground or other party.
We recommend checking the instruction manual before using your grill to ensure that you follow all of the directions carefully.
Related Articles:
- Proven Tips on How to Clean a Grill Brush
- Best Ways for Cleaning Cast Iron Grill Grates
- 8 Proven Cleaning Methods for Cleaning A Flat Top Grill
Quality/Materials
A yakitori grill is usually made of stainless steel, ceramic, or chrome. The most popular material for the grill grates is stainless steel because it is easy to clean and will not rust over time.
The best yakitori grills have chrome, which is a higher quality material because it is more durable.
The base of a yakitori grill is typically made of ceramic due to its heat-absorbing properties. Some grills have a stainless or iron body that is not as heat-resistant as ceramic, but it will last for many years.
Related Article: Yakitori Grill DIY Guide
Fuel Source
The primary fuel source for this type of grill is charcoal. The traditional Japanese grill has been using charcoal or briquettes for many years.
Some grill models have an electric fuel source, which is easier to use. To see which electric grill model we highly recommend, visit this blog post.
One downside to electric yakitori models is that they do not provide that charcoal or smokey flavor representative of the traditional yakitori grill.
Charcoal provides a much better flavor since the indirect heat and smoke creates an “umami” flavor. Umami is the Japanese term meaning pleasant savory flavor, which is how barbecue is supposed to taste.
Warranty
Each grill that we tested comes with a warranty that might need to be activated once you receive the grill.
Most of the products came with a 1-year warranty. According to most customer reviews, not many people had complaints about the customer service for these products.
When we called customer service for our Fire Sense model about a missing part, they shipped us a new part immediately at no extra cost.
Who Are These Grills Best For?
We think a yakitori grill is suited for people who want to barbecue food in the traditional Japanese way.
They are ideal for people who want to cook on their table, balcony, or at a campsite. They are also suitable for people who want a no-fuss approach to grilling.
They may not be ideal for someone who wants a gas grill or a high-end smoker. They are also normally designed for small parties of up to 5 people.
If you want to grill for a large party of 20, this might not be the grill for you.
Also Read: Best Hibachi Grill
FAQs
Can I Use This Grill Indoors?
It depends. We recommend using the charcoal-based yakitori grills outdoors due to smoke production to avoid smoke inhalation. The electric models can be used indoors since they do not produce thick smoke.
What Is the Difference Between Yakitori and Uten Barbecue Grills?
They are basically the same design, but uten grills are normally a little bit smaller. We recommend yakitori grills for more than 2 people.
Should I Use a Specific Type of Charcoal With a Yakitori Grill?
Yes. Binchotan is the most popular type available. It gets searing hot and can cook food at high temperatures. Most experts recommend this as the go-to option, but you can also use briquettes.
"In Japan, they use binchotan charcoal, incredibly dense charcoal that can reach searingly hot temperatures with hardly any smoke or flame."
- Olive Magazine, Master Chefs From Jidori Restaurant [1]
And The Best Yakitori Grill Is...
After careful consideration and lots of meat later, we think that the Fire Sense Large Rectangle Yakatori Charcoal Grill is our top pick in this roundup.
We liked this grill because it came with large dimensions, a chrome-plated grill grate, and adjustable vents.
The Carnivore Style had a blast trying out all of these yakitori grills.
It was mainly an excuse for us to have a barbecue party every day of the week.
Our #1 Recommendation
Fire Sense Rectangle Yakitori Grill
- Handcrafted clay base
- Chrome grilling rack
- 2 air vents
- Includes a stand and handles
- Must keep clay exterior dry
