Hibachi is originally a Japanese word that refers to a traditional heating device.
However, in the US, hibachi grills are small, portable cooking devices that are used to prepare hamburgers, sausages, steaks, etc. in small amounts and in this case, they have cast-iron grates.
These grills are also ideal for cooking smoke-flavored meat because they are powered using charcoal. That said, if you want to buy one, below are the best cast-iron hibachi grills that you should consider buying.
In this post:
- Cast Iron Hibachi Grill Buying Guide
- 6 Best Cast Iron Hibachi Grills Reviewed
- 1. Lodge L410 – Adjustable Height Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
- 2. Marsh Allen 30052AMZ – Cast Iron Hibachi Grill with 2 Grates
- 3. Update International HG-35/CI – Smallest Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
- 4. Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi Charcoal Grill – Folding Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
- 5. Chef-Master 90206 – Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
- 6. Cajun Classic Gl10447 – Largest Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
- Conclusion
Cast Iron Hibachi Grill Buying Guide
Important things to check before buying cast iron Hibachi grill:
1. Cooking Surface
The most noticeable part of any grill is its cooking surface and even though hibachi grills are generally small, the different types do vary by a big margin.
If you want a piece to prepare lots of burgers and other foods, a large grill such as Cajun Classic’s Gl10447 is best. In most cases, the larger the better, but in some instances, the application is what matters most.
2. Application
The cooking surface size aside, it is important to consider the type of application in which you want to use the cast iron hibachi grill.
If you want one to place in your platters, then a small-sized, rounded piece such as Chef-Master’s 90206 is recommended.
On the other hand, if you want a unit to be permanently placed on your deck or patio, then a relatively large and heavy piece such as Cajun Classic’s Gl10447 is best.
As for camping, road-tripping, and tailgating, a medium-sized grill such as Marsh Allen’s 30052AMZ is the most suitable one because it is also not as heavy.
3. Maintenance
Maintenance has mostly got to do with cleaning, which involves getting rid of the ash after use. While most have doors to access the coal compartment, some like Mr. Flame’s Son of Hibachi has a foldable design with a self-cleaning mechanism that makes it very easy to maintain.
This setup just requires you to fold up the unit and it will pour all the ash down to the collection tray, after which you can easily deal throw it off.
Such a design is definitely better to buy as compared to the others.
4. Portability
Portability is an important factor to consider if you want a grill to move around with, say for a road trip, tailgating or something similar.
In such a case, consider the unit’s size and weight, as well as a carrying handle, which makes transportation a bit easier.
5. Budget
Lastly, you need to consider the cost of the grill. An expensive one does not necessarily mean it has a high-quality build.
Ultimately, you need to consider the features you want first, then pick the product that is within your budget from the narrowed down list.
6 Best Cast Iron Hibachi Grills Reviewed
IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
|---|---|---|
 | 1. Lodge L410 (Adjustable Height) |
|
 | 2. Marsh Allen 30052AMZ (With 2 Grates) |
|
 | 3. Update International HG-35/CI (Smallest) |
|
 | 4. Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi Charcoal Grill (Folding Design) |
|
 | 5. Chef-Master 90206 (Pre-Seasoned Grill) |
|
 | 6. Cajun Classic Gl10447 (Largest) |
|
1. Lodge L410 – Adjustable Height Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Photo: Lodge
- Dimensions: 10.25 x 8.25x 19 inches
- Weight: 27 pounds
Starting us off is Lodge’s L410 and this piece has two adjustable height positions for its grates, which allows you to lower or raise them so as to increase or decrease the heat intensity reaching your food.
Additionally, the grill has a draft door that helps to control the heat inside while a flip-down door gives way to the coal compartment, allowing easy access for ash removal after it has accumulated.
Other features include 4 stabilizing legs, a pre-seasoned grate with 100% vegetable oil and a strong metal handle for easy transportation. Combined, these features make this the top-rated cast-iron hibachi grill in this review.
On the downside, adjusting the grill’s height requires you to flip the grate, which is quite cumbersome, and its metal handle is not insulated for easy transportation when hot.
You can find detailed Lodge L410 review here.
Pros:
- Draft door for regulating heat
- Flip-down door for easy access to the coal compartment
- Pre-seasoned with 100% vegetable oil
- 4 stabilizing legs
Cons:
- Cumbersome grate flipping for height adjustment
- Non-insulated carry handle
2. Marsh Allen 30052AMZ – Cast Iron Hibachi Grill with 2 Grates
Photo: Marsh Allen
- Cooking Surface: 157 square inches
- Dimensions: 18 x 10 x 3.4 inches
- Weight: 18.7 pounds
Marsh Allen’s hibachi grill comprises 2 separate grates, each measuring 9 x 8 inches, with a combined cooking area of 157 square inches.
The ends of the two grids are curved upwards to keep your food locked in, and have heat-resistant wood handles for comfortable use.
That said, these handles come in very handy when adjusting the grid height, in which there are 3 positions that can be easily set by pushing the grate into the slotted bars on the front side.
You also get 2 adjustable air vents for controlling the rate of charcoal burn, which regulates the produced heat, 4 legs for stability and 2 heat-resistant wood covered handles on the sides for easy transportation. However, the 2 grids are not pre-seasoned.
Pros:
- 2 grates with curved sides for holding in your food
- Heat resistant wood handles on the grates and grill’s sides
- 3-position height-adjustable grids
- 2 adjustable air vents for controlling the burning rate
Cons:
- Not pre-seasoned
3. Update International HG-35/CI – Smallest Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Photo: Update International
- Cooking Surface: 8.76 square inches
- Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 4 inches
- Weight: 2.25 pounds
If you are looking for a small cast iron hibachi grill to fit at the center of your 12 or 14-inch pu pu platter, Update International’s HG-35/CI is a good option to consider.
The unit has a very smooth cast iron body with a wooden base for setting it stably on your platter and is suitable for preparing different kinds of Asian appetizers. It is also very affordable and comes as a set containing the grill and fuel holder.
On the downside, the piece is quite small with an 8.76 square inch grill, which can fit a very small amount of food, and it is not pre-seasoned.
Pros:
- Affordable
- A wooden base for setting it on a platter
- Grill and fuel holder set
- Ideal for use at the center of 12 or 14-inch pu pu platters
Cons:
- Not pre-seasoned
- Not ideal for preparing large quantities of food
4. Mr. Flame Son of Hibachi Charcoal Grill – Folding Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Photo: Mr. Flame
- Cooking Surface: 170 square inches
- Dimensions: 13 x 10 x 6 inches
- Weight: 16.96 pounds
This cast iron hibachi grill is unique because it has a folding design, in which two of its roasting ovens can be closed up into a box for easy transportation and also for easy start-up.
The start-up involves using the middle-placed ash drawer to create a blast furnace that lights up charcoal in the roast ovens in less than 10 minutes while also eliminating lighter fluid flavor in your food. After the charcoal is lit up, simply open up the grill and begin roasting.
Once finished cooking, you simply have to close up the grill again and it will self-clean and self-extinguish by pouring the ash and remaining charcoal into the ashtray, then slide out the tray for simple clean up while salvaging unused coal for cooking the next meal.
Other features include a relatively large 170 square inch cooking surface and folds down carrying handles that double up as legs when the grill is opened up. On the downside, these handles are not insulated, which means you need grilling gloves to fold up the grill when hot.
Pros:
- Folding design for compact storage and transportation
- Self-cleans and self-extinguishes after use
- Blast furnace concept for quick start-up
- Large 170 square inch cooking area
Cons:
- Uninsulated handles
5. Chef-Master 90206 – Pre-seasoned Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Photo: Chef-Master
- Dimensions: 3.7 x 3.4 x 5.3 inches
- Weight: 2.48 pounds
Chef-Master’s 90206 is quite similar to Update International’s HG-35/CI in terms of the compact design with a wooden base, but this one is fitted with a pre-seasoned grill that is ideal for cooking desserts and appetizers.
However, the piece’s small size limits the amount of food that you can cook at a time. That said, the unit is designed for use in pu pu platters and hence its small size, and is designed to use with chafing fuel.
Other features include being quite affordable and it has side ring handles for easy carrying, though these are not insulated.
Pros:
- Pre-seasoned grill
- A wooden base forstable placementon a platter
- Relatively affordable
Cons:
- Not ideal for cooking large quantities of food
- Non-insulated handles
6. Cajun Classic Gl10447 – Largest Cast Iron Hibachi Grill
Photo: Cajun Classic
- Cooking Surface: 177 square inches
- Dimensions: 15 x 15 x 8 inches
- Weight: 42 pounds
Rounding up the list is Cajun Classic’s Gl10447 and though very costly, this grill is very large, having a 15-inch diameter or 177 square inch cooking area, which can cook up to nine 4-inch burgers at once.
Additionally, the unit’s grate is pre-seasoned, which means more flavor and less stickiness, and this part is adjustable height-wise by flipping it over.
Other features include 3 legs for stability and a metal handle for easy transportation. However, the grill is very heavy (42 pounds), which makes it a bit difficult to carry.
Pros:
- Large 177 square inch cooking area. Fits up to nine 4-inch burgers
- Pre-seasoned grate
- Height adjustable
- Metal handle for easy movement
Cons:
- Expensive
- Very heavy
Conclusion
In conclusion, hibachi grills have grown in popularity when it comes to preparing small amounts of food, and are also preferred for their portability.
By having cast-iron cooktops, these pieces give even heat distribution for uniform cooking, making them even better.
That said, after reading the buying guide above, you will be in a better position to pick the best cast-iron hibachi grill that suits your needs.