For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

Hibachi grills are the answer for those who crave that delicious taste of charcoal grilled cooking but prefer to avoid the common hassles involved with a large, full size grill. Whether it is for the portability, the space savings, or just an appreciation for simplicity, there is little compromise in cooking performance with small hibachi grills but there are a few things to be aware of before purchasing one.

The Compromise

Good quality hibachi grills only have one real drawback in comparison with their full-size cousins and it is the obvious one. Their modest size restricts the quantity of food that can be simultaneously grilled at any one time. Is this a big deal? It certainly is if you plan on grilling for a dozen people, all at once. In that case, a full size grill would be better suited. An alternative to this is to use 2 hibachis (which can have some other advantages as well).

Not All Hibachi Grills are Created Equal

Hibachi grills come in an assortment of different sizes and various shapes. There are round models and rectangular models which is mostly just personal preference. When it comes to construction material, cast iron hibachis are by far the most durable and in my opinion, the best.

The grills to watch out for are the cheaper ones. The easiest way to identify these is by the price tag. Most of them are poorly constructed and have a tendency to rust and fall to pieces. The aluminum and steel models are especially prone to falling apart easily and do not offer the even heat distribution properties provided by cast iron.

Another common sign of cheap models are the hibachi grills that have height adjustable racks. The idea is great, but so far I have yet to find one that was not poorly constructed and flimsy. Experience has taught me that the less moving parts, the better. This is particularly important if you plan on transporting your grill a lot.

Hibachi Grills Are Grills, not Smokers

Hibachi grills are not designed for slow-cooking or what is often referred to as traditional barbecue. Hibachis use direct-heat cooking (grilling) which makes them the ideal choice for cooking thinner items. Hamburgers are fantastic, as are chicken filets, chicken strips, fresh veggies, and fish & seafood. My favorite however, is steak. Nothing does a better job on a big fat juicy steak than a good quality hibachi grill.

Hibachi Cooking Options

Hibachi grills are the ideal tool for direct-heat grilling but that does not mean that they can not be used for other cooking, heating, and reheating as well. Thicker food items can be a bit of a challenge but with a little practice, a thermometer, and some creativity, you will quickly find that just about anything you can fit on the cooking surface can be cooked.

I like to use what is known as a two level fire. This means putting more coals on one side of the hibachi than on the other side which effectively gives you a side that is hot, and a side that is not so hot. This is a perfect configuration for searing food on one side of the grill while warming or through-cooking other food on the opposite side of the grill.

Venting

Many models have bottom vents that can be used to adjust the intensity of the fire some. I rarely use them as the open design of most hibachi grills ensures that there is always plenty of air to keep it going. Regardless, opening these vents permits even more air to flow through the grill which gives the grill master the ability to increase or decrease the heat of the fire. It would be a good idea to spend some time playing with theses vents some when first starting out with a new grill to get a good understanding of how to heat up, or cool down the grill.

Hibachi Grill Safety

Like any portable cooking device, you need to ensure that you are safe when cooking with hibachi grills. Care should be taken to ensure that the grill is placed on a sturdy level surface and that nothing is around that could fall on it or possibly knock it over. A bucket of water should always be kept close by, just in case. A fire extinguisher would be even better.

If grilling in low light or at night ensure you have ample light on the grill. If overhead or flood lighting is not available a small headlamp can be used which conveniently leaves both of your hands free for cooking duties.

And the most important rule of all, never leave hot hibachi grills unattended.

If you are looking for the best, for both durability and from a performance standpoint, I whole heartedly recommend cast iron hibachi grills as the way to go. On the other hand, if you are just looking for something temporary, disposable, and inexpensive, the cheaper grills will do the job. If you already have a hibachi grill of your own then what are you waiting for? Get out there and grill up something spectacular!

Mark Dale
Outdoor Grilling Enthusiast
http://hibachigrills.net/

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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