Food & Drink

3 Easy Steps to Choosing a Hibachi Barbecue Grill

February 12, 2025 — by Richard Dawson

Grilled food just tastes better, don’t you agree? While there are so many grilling methods out there, have you heard about the hibachi method? So, what is the hibachi grill method? It’s cooking food on a grate that stands directly above an open charcoal flame, which gives your food a smoky, charred flavour. This method helps cook your food way faster than traditional grilling.
Originating in Japan, these small grills are the secret behind every great grilled dish. If you want to take your grilling to the next level, buy a hibachi barbeque grill and see what the hype is all about. Get the right tools and enjoy your backyard BBQ sessions all year round. Indulge in mouth-watering foods with an irresistible smoky flavour. 

What is Special About a Hibachi Grill?

hibachi barbecue grill
source: chefsarmoury.com

Hibachi is special simply because it cooks food very fast and gives it a unique smoky flavour—that’s not something you get with a traditional BBQ. These grills are small but very effective since they use charcoal to create a powerful flame, which is just right for cooking the food without burning it. The best part about this method is the smoky taste it adds to anything you cook. Meat, veggies, seafood—the grill makes anything taste better. 
Because these grills are compact and portable, they are easy to move around so you can find just the perfect spot for cooking or take them on a camping trip or to the park. The grate over the open flame allows the food to be cooked evenly and quickly. So, if you love grilled food that tastes extra yummy, shop for a hibachi barbeque grill and make your cooking super fun and delicious. 

What’s the Difference Between Hibachi and BBQ?

Both grills cook food with smoke. While both methods allow cooking food over heat, they don’t quite work the same. Japanese grills are smaller than traditional BBQs, cook faster, and are better suited for preparing smaller amounts of food. They use an open flame to cook the food. The design consists of a base where you put in the charcoal and a grate positioned directly above it. Once the charcoal is heated, it creates a fire that helps cook the food pretty fast, and the open flame gives the food a nice char.
BBQs are often much larger and heavier and they usually cook food at a slower pace over lower heat. Due to their larger size, BBQs are perfect for cooking large amounts of food or bigger pieces of meat. While it takes longer for the food to be prepared because it uses indirect heat, the food turns into a tender delight with a rich and smoky flavour.
Basically, the main difference is in the size, cooking time, and the type of heat they use—direct vs. indirect. Regardless, both allow you to cook delicious food that can always be enhanced with the right BBQ rubs and spices.

How to Choose Your Hibachi Barbecue Grill

Size and Portability

When choosing your Hibachi BBQ, think about where you’ll be using it. While smaller than traditional BBQs, these grills come in different sizes ranging from small and medium to large. Depending on how big your balcony or backyard is, choose a size that will fit your space just right. Also, consider the number of people living in your household and whether you prefer hosting larger gatherings.
If you’re planning on cooking for more people, go for a larger size. To make things even more convenient, these grills are lightweight and some even come with sturdy metal handles so you can move them around or carry them with ease. 

Look for Durable Construction and Material

Despite being lightweight, these grills are made from quality and durable materials like steel and cast iron to ensure long-term use and even heat distribution. Many of them are made with special insulated materials and thick walls that keep the outsides of the grill cooler to the touch. This is also helped by the airy design, which allows both the sides and the bottom of the BBQ to stay cool while in use. 
To make everything better, the grill tends to cool down very quickly right after grilling. This means that you can load it back into your car or get it back inside your house without needing to wait for too long. 

Evaluate Heat Control and Cooking Surface

The cooking surface should be heated enough so it can cook the food fast. That means that ideally, the temperature should be anywhere between 120 degrees Celsius in the periphery and 230 degrees Celsius in the centre. It’s essential that the grill develop a high temperature for proper cooking.
To control the heat, adjust the amount of charcoal and its placement. If you want to create a high temperature in a specific spot of the grill and use the rest of the grill for slower cooking, just stake the charcoal on the side you intend to create a high heat zone so you can cook at a lower heat on the rest of the grate. Also, you can adjust the grate and control the proximity to the heat. The design of the grill allows you to regulate the heat to your preferences.