Outdoor grilling is one of the greatest traditions in America. However, a lack of ample space on the patio can prevent you from having a full-fledged grill for your cookout. That is where the diminutive but handy Hibachi grills come in. They are powered by charcoal, which is economical and leaves an excellent flavor on the meat.
Hibachi grills are small and portable. Not only do they make the perfect grilling partner when space is a premium, but you can also take them out on hikes and get your sausages, steaks, and vegetables sizzling in no time in the middle of nowhere.
Like every other grill, you have to make your choice carefully. Considering there are a few options, you can choose from, making the right choice is more than just making a pick. That is why we thought this buying guide and review would help you find the perfect grill for your application.
Best Hibachi Grills of 2018 – Comparison Table
Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s
PRICE: $$
Rated by Christine
Marsh Allen 30052
PRICE: $$
Rated by Christine
Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned
PRICE: $$
Rated by Christine
Hibachi Grills Reviews
1. Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Hibachi Grill
Specifications
- Dimensions: 19 in. x 8.2 in. x 10.2 in.
- Weight: 31.3 lbs.
- Total Cooking Area: 153 sq. inches
If you’re looking for a portable and convenient hibachi grill, you might want to consider the Lodge Sportsman’s Grill. It is simple, hardy, and sizeable. You can use it on a picnic, when tailgating, at a camp or even just on your patio.
It has a handful of impressive features that will not only make it easy to use but also improve the quality of cooking. Made from cast iron, the grill is guaranteed to have a prolonged life while significantly cutting the heating time of the grill. The use of cast iron also helps the grill to heat up evenly for a better cooking experience.
It comes with a height-adjustable grill and a flip-down door, which make it easier to get the cooking temperature right. The flip-down door makes it easier for you to add charcoal and stir it around. So you won’t have to worry about removing the racks with the food on top to add charcoal. With the adjustable height, it is much easier for you to keep the food from burning.
The Lodge hibachi grill comes seasoned with 100% vegetable oil. The longer you use it, the better the seasoning gets. There are no chemicals or synthetic coatings on the grill, so you’re assured of safety and flavor-filled foods when using this grill. This neat grill also understands the essence of conservation. The body of the grill is optimized for superior heat retention, so it can make more out of less charcoal.
With very little maintenance, this grill can easily be with you for a lifetime. Even though the grill is heavy-duty and built to last, it still manages to be lightweight enough for you to bring it on different trips without much concern on the weight. Overall, it is a durable, lightweight, convenient, and portable grill that’s a great alternative to portable gas grills.
PROS
- High-quality cast iron build
- Adjustable grill
- A flip-down door to regulate heat
CONS
- It’s pricey
2. Marsh Allen 30052 Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 3.4 in. x 18.8 in. x 10.6 in.
- Weight: 16.45 lbs.
- Total Cooking Area: 157 sq. inches
The Marsh Allen Hibachi Grill is a fan favorite to many. It has a unique and convenient design with curved-up grill sides that keep your food in place. The price is yet another reason why the Marsh Allen is frequently considered over other options.
It is the best grill to consider if you’re shopping with a limited budget but want to get the most value for your money. It is a perfect choice for a family of four and features the preferred and durable cast iron.
Other than price, an impressive design, and durable material, this hibachi grill also offers a variety of impressive features that will make grilling easy and fun. The grates of this grill have three adjustable levels that allow you to easily adjust the distance between the grates and the charcoal, reducing the risk of charring.
The grill also features two air intakes, with one at the top and the other at the bottom. This helps to reduce heating time and maximize temperature.
Unfortunately, there are a few downsides you might have to work around. The biggest one is that the access to the charcoal grate is through the grill grates. If you want to poke around and spread the charcoal or add a new batch, you have to take the food off the grill. Even with the wooden handles, it is still a risky procedure and somewhat inconvenient. Nonetheless, the price is commendable and the quality is impressive.
PROS
- Great value for money
- Impressive design
- Three adjustable heights for the grates
CONS
- Has some elements of poor quality like the air vents and handles
- No draft door. Access to the charcoal grate is through the grilling grate
3. Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Hibachi Grill
Specification
- Dimensions: 21.5 in. x 12.5 in. x 8.5 in.
- Weight: 30.2 lbs.
- Total Cooking Area: 153 sq. inches
The Bruntmor Pre-Seasoned Hibachi Grill looks very much like the Lodge L140. Though there are some minor differences, there’s no question that the design was inspired by the Lodge L140.
Unlike the Lodge, which is made in the USA, the Bruntmor is made in China but has some reliable features as well. The cooking area is sizeable at 153 sq. inches and it has bottom draft doors for regulating air intake and temperature.
The grill also has a lowering door, which is a handy addition. It allows you to add charcoal when cooking without moving the grill. The frame and grill are made from cast iron for durability and faster heating.
One of the greatest factors behind the popularity of the Bruntmor has been the price. Though it looks like the Lodge L140, the price is quite different, with the Bruntmor model being the cheaper option.
However, with the reduced price, some of the features have been omitted. With the Bruntmor grill, there are no adjustable grates; therefore you have to keep an eye on your food like a hawk. One small distraction and your food could end up as black as coal.
It also has somewhat of a cheap feel. It’s not like the Marsh Allen that carefully trots the line between cheap and affordable. This particular product feels somewhat cheap. But it is still able to offer plenty of cooking area and enough reliability to make your grill a success with extra caution and keenness.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Draft door for regulating heat and a lowering door to add charcoal
CONS
- Low-quality construction
- The grill is not adjustable
4. Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi Portable Hibachi Grill
Specifications
- Dimensions: 13.2 in. x 10.3 in. x 6.6 in.
- Weight: 10.01 lbs.
- Total Cooking Area: 170 sq. inches
It never hurts to invest in a grill that has more to offer. Whether you’re getting your first grill or adding it to your existing collection, this Mr. Flame Hibachi Grill can be a special addition. It has an impressive array of features that will make grilling, regardless of whether you’re at home or in the wilderness, a breeze and plenty of fun.
Everything from the design to the functioning of the grill showcases the time that was spent ensuring that the grill delivers a quality experience and remarkable results. It has a blast furnace concept that gets you cooking in less than ten minutes. You no longer have to spend countless minutes waiting for the furnace to get to the right temperature.
It has an astounding 170 sq. inches of cooking surface and a convertible roasting oven, making it the perfect partner for camping with a big family. With this grill, you can cook anything from hamburgers to hot dogs to steaks with an impressively flavorful and evenly cooked result.
Another feature worth highlighting is the self-cleaning oven. After you’ve finished cooking, the grill can fold into a self-cleaning oven. It is a great feature that allows you to have more fun and spend less time scrubbing the grill.
If there’s some charcoal that isn’t used, you can easily save it for later use, therefore allowing you to save money and time. To make it easier to carry and move around, the grill has a pair of handles that fold down as sturdy legs when you’re setting up. It cuts down on the weight and size by not having extra support, without compromising functionality.
PROS
- Plenty of cooking surface
- Self-cleaning oven
- Quick heat up time
CONS
- Carbon steel body which doesn’t heat evenly
Charcoal Hibachi Grill Buyer’s Guide
Why Choose a Hibachi Grill?
A Hibachi grill has plenty of benefits to offer. It is a great addition for campers due to its small and lightweight nature. It is also ideal for picnics and tailgating and it fits easily into your trunk with plenty of space to save.
Above all, a hibachi grill is the budget-friendly, efficient, and reliable option because it is powered by charcoal. It’s the best grill for those that aren’t looking to cook for a large number of people.
How To Make The Most Out Of Your New Hibachi Grill
Hibachi grills use a more conventional method of cooking, which can prove to be troublesome. With some tips, you can take full advantage of their benefits while minimizing the downsides.
Hibachi grills are designed to cook small and easy-to-cook foods, including hot dogs, fish, hamburgers, vegetables, and steak. If you prefer to have a feast, the hibachi grill might not be the best option for you.
The grill should be placed on a flat and even surface. If you don’t have such a surface, you can use bricks and heatproof tiles to prop the grill up. It’s important to note that you should not pour water on grills that are made of cast iron, as it can cause the grill to crack. To prevent rusting, you should coat your grill with vegetable oil after each use and store it in a dry place to prevent rusting.
The biggest challenge a hibachi grill poses is heat regulation. Unlike modern, monstrous grills, there are no thermostats or control knobs, just some old school air intakes. Therefore, you need to make sure the hot coals are spread out for even heating. If the air intake is not enough to increase the temperature, you can fan the coals to aerate them. If the temperature goes off the charts, you can simply close the air intake.
What To Consider When Buying A Hibachi Grill
Hibachi grills are not a one-size-fits-all type of grill. There are differences with each grill that make it perfect for certain applications. To make the right decision, it is essential to know what to consider and factor in. Here are a few considerations you should have in mind when looking around for the best hibachi grill.
Frequency of Use
The first thing to consider is how often you will be using the grill. For occasional use, an average budget-friendly model, that’s taken care of with proper care and maintenance, should serve you for a decent amount of time. If you want a grill that will stand the test of time, even under constant use, it is best to go for the highest quality you can afford.
Application
Where will you be using your hibachi grill? When using it at your patio or around the house, size and weight are not a concern. Hence, you can easily go with a 30-pound grill with no trouble at all. After all, it will not be taking valuable space in the trunk of your car or weighing you down when carrying it around.
For a grill that you will be taking everywhere with you, weight and size become a concern. You need to carefully find a balance between the two without having to compromise the experience and the cooking area. Because of the stress of constantly traveling, you need to consider going for higher quality varieties that will not break down easily or lose parts like the handles.
Budget
Finally, your budget comes to question. Ideally, hibachi grills are not as expensive as their counterparts. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a budget or limit to how much you will spend on one. While it is advisable to buy the best quality available, you can just as easily find alternatives that are cheaper and have great quality. Needless to mention, you need to take time to look at the different options and what they have to offer, especially if you’re working on a tight budget.
Material
Hibachi grills are made from various materials with each having its advantages and disadvantages. These materials include aluminum, stainless steel, and cast iron. Aluminum grills are lighter and preferred by campers. However, they are not as durable as the other options.
Stainless steel is a little more durable but it is heavier and lacks the heat distribution qualities that aluminum and cast iron have to offer. It is a good material to consider if you’re looking for the better of both worlds.
Cast iron is the most preferred and recommended option out of the three. It is heavier but has excellent heat distribution qualities. Out of the three options, it’s also the most durable material. The only downside with cast iron is the potential of it rusting, which can easily be remedied by seasoning the grill after each use.
If you still feel undecided about buying a new hibachi grill, we picked out some of the best types of hibachi grills on the market. The grills that we chose are portable, easy to use, and convenient. They’ll also optimize your cooking skills and bring out the flavors to another level.
How Did We Choose Our Hibachi Grills?
Like all other reviews we’ve done before, choosing the best hibachi grill took time and intensive research. We started with a wide pool of choices and narrowed it down to the best four.
We started by analyzing the top online stores and foraging through comments and reviews of people that had used the different hibachi grills. We carefully went through each comment and handpicked a few that had the most positive comments.
When comparing them to each other, we considered the quality of the grill, the features, the price, and the workmanship. To differentiate the best from the rest, we took a closer look at the details like the handles, adjustable height of the grates, air intake designs, and doors to add more charcoal into the grill when cooking.
By considering all these features, we came up with a selection that we believe are leaders in the world of hibachi grills and will provide you with the results and experience you’re hoping for.
How Did We Test?
After picking what we believed were the best hibachi grills based on customer reviews, carefully analyzing them and narrowing down the options, we decided to take the final candidates on a test run.
In this case, that meant taking each grill for few days, conducting a few tests, and taking notes for each. Some of the main aspects that we were looking for included the general feel of the grill, the ease of use, the size of the cooking area, how well it cooked and how evenly it cooked.
We tried a little bit of everything from shrimp, hamburgers, chicken wings, and even a few vegetables just to be sure. We got to verify the myth that charcoal enriches the flavor of the foods because of the smoke it produces which was quite interesting.
We took notes on everything from the average heating times, how long it took to set up the grill, the experience of cooking and so on. We also considered after-cooking features like cleaning and seasoning, and we also jotted down some standout features with every grill that we have included in each review below.
How to Take Care of Your Hibachi Grill
It is one thing to find the perfect hibachi grill, but for it to actually last, you have to put in some effort to maintain it. For the grill to serve you for a long term, it requires due diligence on your part along with a strict maintenance plan. Lucky for you, these little grills don’t need much work.
With most hibachi grills being made from cast iron, they are highly susceptible to rust and can make the food stick to the grill. To prevent this, you need to clean the grill and season it regularly.
When cleaning, use a nylon brush to remove food remains and ash. After scrubbing, use hot water to rinse the grill and dry it. You should never use cleaning agents, like soap, on the grill or to clean other cast iron items.
The most important part of the maintenance regimen is the seasoning. Despite the flashy name, it only requires you to cover the entire grill with cooking oil before storing it in a dry place. If you have a grill cover, that could help too.
By religiously following the cleaning and seasoning process for your hibachi grill after every use, you can significantly extend the life of the grill and prevent it from rusting. It will also make it easier for you to cook without food sticking on the grill.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter whether you want to grill at home or you’re looking for a great option to take on your trips, hibachi grills are the perfect option. They are especially great for those whose main concern is a lack of space for a traditionally sized gas grill. They are small gas grills but save you the space and cost of having to get an LPG gas cylinder. They are simple, easy to use, and highly portable. What’s more, they bring with them the added advantage of better flavors and a more traditional feel, which is what most excursions are about.
Hibachi grills are lightweight. In our reviews, the heaviest model was just about 30 pounds. They are also quite small and will easily fit in the trunk of your car with plenty of space to spare. They feature temperature control methods like height-adjustable grills and draft doors. Even though you need to keep a close eye on the food, it is possible to get the perfect sear on your steak and burgers. The use of charcoal brings with it that additional flavor that works perfectly with the meat. A hibachi grill can be an innovative and convenient way to make those family gatherings and outings more memorable and flavor-filled.
Like any other appliance, the type of product you choose limits your experience. We wanted you to have the best possible experience with your new hibachi grill. So we tried out different grills at different prices and qualities and compiled a list of the best options you should consider.
In our review, we prioritized the quality of the grill, the time taken to heat up, how even the sear is, additional features and convenience as well as longevity. With these hibachi grills, you’re assured of long service, impeccable cooking experiences, and happy, satisfied family no matter how remote the camping spot.
