The Hibachi Cast Iron Grill & Accessories.

Welcome! In this site, you will learn about the history of, and uses for the versatile Hibachi. You will also be able to locate the best suppliers for the portable, reliable Hibachi Cast Iron Grill.

History:

"Hibachi" often refers to small cooking grills typically made of aluminum or cast iron, with the latter generally being of higher quality. Owing to their small size, hibachi cast iron grills are popular as a form of portable barbecue. They resemble traditional, Japanese, charcoal-heated cooking utensils called shichirin. It has been suggested that these grills were confusingly marketed as "hibachi" when they were introduced to North America because that word was easier than "shichirin" for English speakers to pronounce.   

Although the word is Japanese and the device is strongly associated with Japan, the hibachi originated in China as a type of portable charcoal brazier used to heat the homes of the nobility. It is not known when the hibachi was first used in Japan; however written records suggest that it was used by the Heian period (798-1185AD). Owing to the low availability of metal in China and Japan, early hibachis were made from dug-out cypress wood lined with clay. However, craftsmen soon began to make more decorative versions with lacquered finishes, gold leaf, and other artistic embellishments. Stronger materials such as metal and ceramics became popular over time. Traditional hibachis can be very attractive objects in themselves and are today sometimes sold as antiques. They were originally used mainly by the samurai classes and aristocrats but gradually spread among ordinary people. Their design developed throughout the Edo period. It is a flat surface of heat, to be more specific. 

For most of its history the hibachi was used for heating, but it has been put to many uses; for example, as a cigarette lighter and portable stove for Japanese troops during World War II. 

The hibachi was once a common sight in Japan before the Second World War, and was often seen in waiting rooms at train stations, but it became a rarity and was gradually replaced by the oil heaters now commonplace in Japan. (Central heating is relatively rare in Japanese homes.) 

Hibachi cast iron grills offer a solution for people who love the taste of charcoal grilled foods but either don’t have a lot of space or want to take their grill on the road. A good cast iron Hibachi can do just about anything a full size grill can do except grill a lot of food at once. The advantage of a real fire, portability, and hot direct cooking make them a popular type of grill.  

If you want to get a good hibachi we suggest paying a little more and getting one made of good solid cast iron. Hibachi grills come in different sizes, shapes, and configurations. The cheaper hibachis can be a problem because they tend to rust and fall apart. Likewise with cheaper cast aluminum hibachis. They just don't hold up. Some hibachi cast iron grills have racks that can be adjusted in height. This gives you versatility when it comes to grilling by giving you a simple way to control the heat to which your food is exposed. Be careful though, as many of these styles of hibachis can be poorly made. Another thing to consider is portability. If you intend to take your hibachi traveling with you, you will want one that is sturdy and able to handle being transported often. Always look for good construction in a hibachi.  

Charcoal fired hibachis really do give you a lot of grilling options. Even though they don’t have lids, you can do a lot with one of these units. While charcoal grilling can be a little more challenging, once you get the hang of it you will be able to grill most anything that will fit on the cooking surfaces. Most hibachis are large enough to let you make a two level fire, meaning you put more coals to one side than the other. This gives you a hot side and a not so hot side. This kind of double fire is great for getting foods well seared while giving you the space to grill things through at lower temperatures, or just keep foods warm while you do something else.  All in all, when you take into account cost, size, and versatility, you just can't go wrong with a good quality Hibachi cast iron grill.