The simple hibachi charcoal grill, based on a traditional Japanese design, has become a standard option for someone looking for a highly portable yet economical charcoal grill. Gas grills in the Hibachi style are also available now. Without any of the fancy stuff, the best grills allow you to concentrate on the timeless art of cooking with charcoal.
What Is a Hibachi Grill?
Hibachi grills are typically charcoal grills that are compact and portable. They are concise and reliable. Rather than relying on electrical igniters and other specialized components, they need to keep hot coals in their bowl to do the job. Hibachi, which means “fire bowl” in Japanese, is the name of the grilling style. These grills are now widely used to cook a variety of foods with a charcoal flavor. When space is limited, hibachi grills are often used instead of standard charcoal grills. Many also use Hibachi to describe a hot plate used in Japanese-style teppanyaki restaurants, but this term isn’t technically accurate.
The typical Japanese style of cooking on a hibachi grill forgoes any lid. That is why most hibachi barbecues you will find for your purchase won’t come with one. Some hibachi grills are equipped with features that enable you to create a two-level fire. With this kind of fire, you can have both a cool side and a hot side. Since food cooked on hibachi grills would be close to an open flame, hibachi grills are used to prepare small food items or strips of meat. Several hibachi grills will have vents situated on the bottom of their chassis that allow you to change the intensity of the flames. To avoid the possibility of a real blaze, be sure to have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water anywhere near in case of emergency. This is relevant if you are starting to make use of Hibachi or charcoal grills.
Hibachi buying guide
Material
Your hibachi grill’s material has an impact on its durability and cooking effectiveness. If you are buying a traditional hibachi grill, you should ensure that the hibachi grill is constructed out of cast iron. Cast iron is extremely durable and can be subject to high heat and action without buckling or cracking. Moreover, cast-iron Hibachi can retain and make your food taste better and last longer over time. The only drawback is that cast-iron is heavier than other types of grill or smoker for grilling and smoking. While you can find aluminum hibachi grills, these tend to break down easily and need to be washed more often to prevent corrosion and wear and tear. We also find hibachi grills with wooden handles to be more functional and durable. Wood handles can prevent your hands from getting burned when grilling.
Portability
Most hibachi grills are light and compact. You should look for one with handles that make them easier to hold. One of the most significant benefits of the hibachi grill is that it can be used both at home and outdoors. It is not ordinarily worth buying a really expensive hibachi grill. At a certain point, you will have a burned-out gas or charcoal barbecue. A more surface area can cook more food but will be the same weight as a traditional hibachi grill.
Cost
Be mindful of the total price of your hibachi grill. Cast iron Hibachi grills are widely available at an attractive price and offer great value for money. Sometimes, they are more costly than simpler, cheaper models.
Grilling Size
See how much space a given hibachi grill takes before you decide if it is a good investment. The square of the grill’s cooking surface will limit the amount of food you can grill at once. Some more expensive grills would have a barbecue compartment inside the grill. These grilling stations allow for various heat levels to be applied to different parts of the grilling area. This griller will enable you to sear various foods while heating others.
Gas vs. charcoal for Habachi
Gas barbeques use propane as their primary source of heat. These grills have many advantages over electric grills in that they are easier to start swiftly, and they are easier to monitor during food preparation. Charcoal grill cooking is incomparably superior to cooking with a non-charcoal grill. Charcoal hibachis need you to bring a bag of charcoal around and start it for longer than the electric Hibachi. These grills often have more offbeat power and require more cautious preparation. There is no better option between the two. It comes down to the individual’s preference. Beginners might have more success with gas hibachi grills; they are easier to use than charcoal grills. Experienced cooks may prefer those brands of charcoal grills equipped with hibachi grills.
Perfect Hibachi Shrimp with Yum Yum Sauce Recipe
CUISINE: Japanese
PREP TIME: 20 mins
MARINATE: 1 hr
COOK TIME: 15 mins
COURSE: Main Dish
Ingredients:
Yum Yum Sauce (yield 3/4 cup)
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- One teaspoon sriracha sauce
- Two teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- Two tablespoons ketchup
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
Hibachi Shrimp
- One tablespoon cooking oil
- 2 pounds (16-20 count) raw shrimp peeled and deveined
Shrimp marinade
- One teaspoon Japanese soy sauce
- A teaspoon of grated ginger
- One teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 cup mirin
Sesame Fried Rice
- One tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- One tablespoon black sesame seed
- Two tablespoons Japanese soy sauce
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1/4 cup butter
- One tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 cup sliced scallions
- Salt and pepper
- Five large eggs lightly beaten
- One tablespoon oil
- 4 cups cold cooked rice
Instructions:
Make the Yum Yum Sauce
- Put in all the ingredients of yum yum sauce together.
- Mix the Yum Yum sauce ingredients; cover and chill.
Prep the Shrimp
- After peeling, devein the shrimp.
- Evenly mix with the marinade.
- Keep the marinated shrimp in the refrigerator for one hour.
Grill the Shrimp
- Spray a grill pan with grill spray and preheat the grill to moderate heat.
- Remove the shrimp from the marinade and discard it.
- Drizzle a little oil over the shrimp.
- Grill the shrimp until they are firm and charred on the edges.
- Serve with yum yum sauce and sesame fried rice.
Prepare the Rice
- Sunder any clumps from the cold rice and set it aside.
- In a skillet, heat one tablespoon of oil and scramble the eggs with salt and pepper.
- Cut the shrimps into small pieces and set them aside with the chopped scallions.
- In a skillet with the sesame oil and butter, soften the onions, peas, and carrots.
- Stir in the rice and the remaining rice ingredients until the rice is cooked and heated through.
- When grilling the shrimp, cover and keep warm (it should only take a few minutes).
Read more: Hibachi Chicken with Fried Rice and Vegetables
Conclusion
You may need to season your cast-iron grilling surface before using it. Before you begin, make sure the grill is clean. Next, lightly brush the grilling surface with olive, vegetable, or food-grade mineral oil. You do not want to season with bacon grease or something similar. These substances contain salt, which can cause the cast-iron to corrode over time. After that, heat the hibachi grill for one hour at 350°F. After the heating has stopped and your seasoning is done, set it aside to cool.