If you are in a hurry and want to find out what the Best Hibachi Grill is then we would recommend the Marsh Allen Cast Iron Hibachi.
If you’ve ever been to the place where they squirt Sake in your mouth, light things on fire, and flip shrimp up in the air – you might think that’s what a hibachi is. But it’s not. Hibachis are actually small grills originating in Japan, and the best hibachi grill can help bring the smoky, delicious taste of charcoal to even the smallest of backyards.
In this review, we’ve compiled our top picks for the best hibachis, as well as some of the methods behind choosing them. Let’s dive right in!
Here are the hibachi grills that we will be reviewing:
- Marsh Allen Cast Iron Hibachi
- Raptor Grilling Portable Smoker/Hibachi
- ISUMER Charcoal Hibachi Grill
- Update International Cast Iron Hibachi Set
- Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi
What is a Hibachi Grill?
If you’ve never used a hibachi before, you might not even know what it is. They’re small and portable grills, usually using charcoal as the fuel source. The hot coals heat up in the chamber below, and the best hibachi grills use cast iron as the grate, so it retains heat well and provides an even cook on the meat.
The term “hibachi” originates from Japan, meaning “fire bowl.” While there are many original design variations, the most traditional hibachis still use cast iron and charcoal on a small scale grill.
Choosing the Best Hibachi Grill
What type of features are you looking for in the top hibachi grill? There are a few things you should pay attention to when shopping around.
Materials
As mentioned, designs have changed, and many imposters have tried to cut costs by using cheaper materials to make hibachis. The best-case scenario is to find one that uses as much cast iron as possible.
The best hibachis will always use cast iron because it lasts longer, holds up against heat better, and it disperses heat more equally through the metal, which helps cook your food better.
While cast iron does have some benefits, it has drawbacks as well. It’s heavier than most other metals, and it requires a bit of upkeep because cast iron will rust easier than aluminum or stainless steel.
Grilling Area
Most hibachis are smaller than the traditional grill, so you won’t get as much surface area to cook on. Make sure that you get one that makes sense for you. If you’re trying to cook for a backyard barbecue of 50 people, a hibachi will not be the smartest choice.
If you’re trying to bring that delicious charcoal taste into a small city backyard for you and your roommate, you should do just fine with a hibachi grill.
Portability
Compared to a charcoal or gas grill, hibachis are more portable because they’re smaller. If we’re comparing them to a tabletop charcoal grill, they might be a bit heavier and more clunky to carry around.
If you’re trying to find the ideal grill to bring camping, hibachis might work because you can set them anywhere, and you don’t require anything other than charcoal to get them started.
Top Hibachi Picks
Now that you understand some of the factors that go into purchasing a hibachi grill let’s take a look at some of our favorite options.
1. Best Overall – Marsh Allen Cast Iron Hibachi
Our top choice is the Marsh Allen Hibachi. It’s a cast-iron grill with three adjustable cooking grids so you can keep your food as close or as far away from the heat as you desire. The grates also have curves on the edges, which helps ensure that your chicken or beef doesn’t hang over the edge and get burned.
It has a total of 157 square inches of cooking surface and two adjustable air vents on the front so you can control how fast your charcoal burns. The wooden handles are a nice touch as well because cast iron holds heat for a while, you’ll be able to remove the grates from the hibachi when serving your food.
Pros:
- Cast iron construction
- Adjustable cooking grids
- Durable and long-lasting design
- Cooking space for approximately four large chicken breasts
Cons:
- Flimsy handles
- Wooden handles may burn
2. Best Hibachi Smoker – Raptor Grilling Portable Smoker/Hibachi
If you’re trying to step up your backyard cooking game and you’d like to offer a little variety to your guests, this Raptor Grilling product is a solid option. It’s a charcoal grill with chrome-plated steel grates offering 230 square inches of cooking space.
The main thing that separates a hibachi from other grills is that it cooks in the open air and doesn’t come with a lid. If you’re concerned about that, this grill comes with a lid and serves as a smoker as well, so you can grill up some delicious hibachi chicken and vegetables and follow that with slow-cooked barbecue ribs.
Raptor Grilling uses a charcoal saving technology that saves you $112 per year on charcoal if you use the grill once per week. It also has something they called “rapid cool-down” that uses the lid to create the perfect grilling temperature, but the tight tolerance air valves help the grill cool down faster, so you can transport it sooner.
Pros:
- Multi-purpose hibachi
- Comes with a lid
- 230 square inches of cooking space
- Great for entertaining
Cons:
- Difficult assembly
- Flimsy materials
3. Best Large Hibachi Grill – ISUMER Charcoal Hibachi Grill
When summer rolls around and people start entertaining, you need to make sure you have enough space for grilling up burgers, hot dogs, chicken, steaks, vegetables, and whatever else the crowd wants.
This large hibachi grill offers space for you to grill as many as 10 steaks, 20 hamburgers, or 50 pieces of shrimp. It’s portable and lightweight, and while the material is a bit thin, it’s sturdy enough if you baby it a little.
The grill comes with double air vents and an ash catcher, which helps control the temperature, create proper air circulation, and make cleanup that much easier. The convenient handles on the side are nice, but they’re extremely small and flimsy, and we don’t expect them to last too long.
If you have a small yard and you’re looking for a grill that’s easy to clean and doesn’t take up a lot of space in the garage or shed, you’ll want to check out the ISUMER Hibachi.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable
- Large cooking surface
- Easy to control the temperature
- Simple to clean
Cons:
- Flimsy materials
- The grill grate is thin and may crack under high heat
4. Best Budget-Friendly – Update International Cast Iron Hibachi Set
Not everyone has a large backyard for entertaining and grilling; sometimes, the best Hibachi cooking happens on porches, patios, and even indoors. If you lack that necessary outdoor space for grilling, this budget-friendly hibachi is a great choice.
The grilling surface has a diameter of 3 ⅓ inches, and the total height of the grill is only 4 inches. It works well for grilling single pieces of meat, small kabobs, and it’s a nice choice for indoor smores with family.
The hibachi itself is made with high-quality cast iron, and it’s inspired by the Asian “pu-pu” platters. If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with your kids – you can heat this hibachi up and let them cook their own thin slices of meat and vegetables. (with supervision, of course)
Pros:
- Great for indoor spaces and those lacking a backyard
- Cast iron material
- Durable and simple design
- Fun for the family
Cons:
- Very small
- Not a good choice for backyards
- Doesn’t use high-temperature paint
5. Top Folding Hibachi – Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi
Our last choice is a folding hibachi that makes traveling and transportation a breeze. If you like taking your backyard grilling on the road, this 170 square inch hibachi folds up and has a handle at the top that you can use to carry it around.
The Son of Hibachi uses a blast furnace design with a chimney that allows you to cook meat much faster and more consistently. This design also helps preserve your charcoal so you can use less and keep it in the hibachi for later use.
It is constructed with carbon steel and cast iron cooking grates for a lightweight design that’s both easy to move around but durable enough to last.
The only thing the company neglects to mention is that they don’t include a snuff out bag with your purchase, so you’ll have to buy one separately if you plan to save your charcoal, rather than letting it turn to ash.
Pros:
- Folding hibachi
- Great even cooking heat
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Durable materials
Cons:
- No snuff out bag
- Shallow charcoal area
Final Thoughts
You’ve read the hibachi grill reviews – so, why would anyone want a hibachi instead of a traditional charcoal or gas grill? First, we think the best hibachi grills are more portable and longer-lasting than any other grill. They’re built using high-quality cast iron materials that last forever.
Plus, they’re smaller and more portable. Suppose you’re in a situation where you don’t have a ton of backyard entertaining space, or you’re even in a city, and you have to grill on a porch. In that case, these hibachis will get the job done, and you’ll likely be the only one in your neighborhood with the smell of charcoal coming from their yard.
The Marsh Allen Cast Iron Hibachi is the clear winner in this review because it offers ample cooking space, great quality materials, and the most functional design for backyard entertaining.