Buying a Hibachi Grill | Things to Consider
Hibachi grill is easy to use and easy to carry, very suitable for grilling small portions of food. These charcoal grills can cook meat and vegetables in just a few minutes, ensuring that your family and guests will not wait for food while out.
Hibachi vs. Teppanyaki Grill
There is a clear difference between the tabletop Teppanyaki grill and the hibachi grill. The Teppanyaki grill is equipped with a frying pan or grill pan, while the hibachi grill is small in size, easy to carry, and equipped with a grill.
Hibachi is a Japanese open-top heating bowl containing charcoal. However, in the United States, the term "hibachi" refers to the iron hot plate/griddle used by Japanese teppanyaki chefs. These grills are often confused with the hibachi grills referred to by North Americans, whose function is to use charcoal or gas.
It is worth mentioning that these hibachi-style grills look a lot like Japanese multifunctional shichirin/kanteki charcoal stoves. This article discusses things to know about hibachi cooking while using a charcoal grill.
Hibachi Grill: Features to Consider
Size
Hibachi grills are smaller than traditional grills, so you can only cook a small portion of food at a time. Therefore, it is a suitable choice where grilled food is prepared as an appetizer, or intended for a very small group. Secondly, these Japanese grills are easy to store and do not require much storage space.
Smaller Capacity
Due to the small capacity of the hibachi grill, it is necessary to slice the meat for proper cooking. It is not advisable to cook whole chickens and thick slices, because when the outer surface of the meat is cooked, the inner part may still be raw. This may cause the meat to be burnt during the grilling process.
Material
Cast iron hibachis are preferred because these grills are more durable, retain heat better, and do not rust like iron grills. On the other hand, aluminum hibachi grills are the least popular batch because they tend to collapse and rarely last beyond their warranty period.
Adjustable Frame
The hibachi grills you find in stores and online are most likely equipped with adjustable shelves. These shelves are used to control the distance between the food on the grill and its heat source. Durability is also reflected here. A poorly structured shelf can easily burn food and ruin the cooking experience. The grill must be able to withstand the wear and tear during movement, and it should be easy to handle and install. Therefore, please ensure that the joints of the adjustable frame are sturdy and durable.
Smokeless Grill
Unlike slow cooker grills, hibachis does not emit any smoke and does not have a lid. These grills are used to cook thinner pieces of meat such as steak, pork tenderloin, kebabs, pork chops and vegetables. The direct cooking method provided by this grill ensures that a small portion of the food is cooked within a few minutes, and more food is continuously brought to the table during the grilling process.
Two-Stage Heating
A double grill hibachi can fill the next grill with more charcoal than the other. The advantage of this is that while keeping relatively little heat, it can be used to grill food slowly and keep warm. This also saves more time.
Ventilation System
Although hibachi grills have many slots to allow air in, some grills are equipped with one or two vents on the side of the base. These vents allow users to adjust the fire to a certain extent, thereby preventing food from overcooking or burning.
Make sure to follow some basic safety precautions when using the hibachi grill. Prepare a fire extinguisher and do not leave the hot grill unattended.
