The Best Hibachi Grills in 2023 — For Lid Open, Hot Charcoal Grilling

If you like your companies backed by a rich history, then this grill ought to be at or near the top of your list. Lodge Cast Iron has been forging iconic cookery in Tennessee since 1896 — this is the real deal.

It’s a pint-sized cooker, as all hibachis are, measuring just under 21 inches long, a foot deep, and 10 inches tall. But, it weighs nearly 31 pounds — that’s some serious cast iron.

So, while you’re not likely to take it backpacking, it’s ideally sized for RVing, or as a drive-in camping grill, as well as a good tailgate grill, and for small patios or balconies. Even if you have a large yard and a big grill, it’s fun to cook for two with minimal set-up time.

The pre-seasoned grate provides 142 square inch cooking surface. That’s plenty of space for a half-dozen hot dogs or a few sausages, a couple of steaks or chops, or two or three burgers.

You might think going this simple means giving up control? Not the case! A sliding panel adjusts the airflow, allowing you to adjust the temperature up or down. Combined with the adjustable height grate (two positions), you’ll be able to sear over intense heat, or char-grill to perfection, or even roast delicate vegetables for sides.

Poking the coals is easy, even mid-cook. Just open the flip-down door and make your adjustments without disturbing your food.

Strangely, Lodge Cast Iron offers no written warranty on its non-enameled products. If you dig deep, though, you’ll find this tidbit:

There is not a written warranty for Lodge Cast Iron cookware; however, we do stand behind every product manufactured. For product problems, please contact Lodge Customer Care, and we will solve the problem to your satisfaction.

It’s kind of a handshake agreement — whether that’s enough for you, only you can say.

This attractive little hibachi offers an appealing combination of portability, durability, and great food-ability.

If you’re not willing to sacrifice quality for a lower price or a lighter-weight model, keep the Lodge Cast Iron Sportsman’s Grill at the top of your list.

There’s not a lot of information out there about Marsh Allen, except that they market a range of inexpensive outdoor gear, and they’re owned by Kay Home Products, a well-known distributor and mainstay of Amazon.

But, given the price and versatility of this cool hibachi, we’re not going to worry much about provenance.

The most obvious point of difference between this hibachi and most others is the unique grate configuration. Totaling 157 square inches, the cast iron cooking area is divided into two identical grids. You can position each one individually with the attached handles into one of four positions.

What’s great about this set up is you can move them up and down together to cook larger items, or set them at different heights for two-zone cooking.

You could sear a steak on one side and then shift it over to finish on the other side. Or, cook meat on one and veg on the other. There’s even a separate vent on each side for heat control. It’s remarkably well-thought-out for such a small grill.

Of course, each side is so small (78.5 square inches), you’ll be hard-pressed to cook more than one or two items. But, you don’t buy a grill like this for family reunions; you buy it for convenience.

It measures just 18 inches long by 10 inches deep, so it will fit just about anywhere. Wooden side handles make carrying a breeze, and it weighs under 16 pounds. It’s just about the perfect size for a camp or picnic grill.

Anecdotally, there may be some issues with manufacturing quality.

Reports are out there of uneven legs and ill-fitting grates. But, most of these problems can be overcome with minimal effort (if yours even has them), making the Marsh Allen Table Top Cast Iron Hibachi worth the tiny investment.

No one, including us, would ever claim this is the best hibachi money can buy. But, for the money it costs, the bang-for-the-buck is tough to beat.

It’s a fun little grill, and even if you only get a few seasons out of it, it’ll pay for itself.

For casual charcoal grilling at home, or for a portable charcoal grill with more options than you’d expect, this is a good buy, not a goodbye.

No, you’re not seeing double, and no, we didn’t make a mistake. The Bruntmor hibachi is a virtual carbon copy of the Lodge Cast Iron version. If it’s true that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then we know for sure the Lodge Sportsman’s Grill is a grill worth copying.

But why would you buy a copy? You probably already know the answer is “price.”

Yes, the Bruntmor offers virtually identical specs at a lower cost, mainly because it’s made in China and distributed by an international company. Bruntmor sells via many popular channels, including Amazon, Walmart, and Bed Bath & Beyond.

If you didn’t read the Lodge Cast Iron review, I’ll quickly tell you this is a small, but heavy hibachi, weighing over 30 pounds. It’s capable of cooking enough food for 2-4 people (depending on what you’re cooking) at once on its 17″ x 9″ grate.

Temperature control is achieved via an air vent with a damper on the bottom plate and a charcoal access flap on the front. The grate has two positions, and between them and the adjustable airflow, you’ll have a surprising amount of control over your cook. Sear steaks, grill fish, and roast veggies with equal confidence.

In terms of durability, and that’s usually where Chinese-made products stumble, it’s difficult to say.

We certainly do not expect the quality of construction and materials to equal the made-in-the-USA Lodge Cast Iron model. Having said that, though, many buyers report terrific results. The key is to keep up your maintenance routine — but that ought to be a given with cast iron, anyway. Plus, there’s a 1-year limited warranty.

Looking for a quality hibachi experience, but not prepared to drop a lot of cash? (Maybe you’re unsure if you really need one, or you plan on limited use.) The Bruntmor Portable Cast Iron Hibachi is a logical choice.

Looking more like a bucket, or maybe a Japanese lantern, than a grill, this hibachi is round instead of the typical rectangle shape of most competitors. The advantage of this shape is you gain cooking surface area. That means you can cook larger items than you might on other hibachis.

The cooking surface is 15 inches in diameter, and the seller says you can fit up to nine 4-inch burgers on at a time. (We’d rather have fewer but larger burgers. But to each, their own.)

Since it’s pre-seasoned, you can start cooking right away, too. It’s heavy, too, weighing about 40 pounds. That’s your guarantee it’s made from 100% cast iron.

A front vent allows airflow control, helping you adjust the heat as desired. That’s your only control, however, since the grate is fixed in one position for cooking. You do get a handy tool for lifting the grate, adjusting the damper, or stoking the coals without burning your fingers.

Cajun Cast Iron is an American distributor of internationally-made cast iron cookware. While they don’t actually make anything, they are a “real” and reputable company. There’s no warranty with this hibachi, but the seller offers a no-hassle 45-day return policy.

The Cajun Classic Cast Iron Hibachi costs a little more than some other models, but it’s a solid grill and should last a long time with proper care.

It’s not the most versatile, either, but for straight-up charcoal grilling, it’s more than up to the task. Plus, it has you covered when you need to cook a bit more food for unexpected guests.

Consider it as a fun addition to your backyard cooking line-up or for real BBQ on the road.