A Beginners Guide to Buying and Using a Hibachi Grill

The Hibachi-style of cooking has come to be known as grilled Japanese cuisine. The grills they're cooked on have also come to be known by the same name, as have the restaurants that serve this type of food. 

Aside from the handheld food-grilling devices known as tempura and teppanyaki, the hibachi grill is the other most widely known of these styles of grilling.

In this guide, we'll let you in on everything you need to know about Hibachi grilling.

What Is Hibachi? 

Hibachi-style cooking began in Japan and is made up of various types of ingredients that are served sizzling hot in cast iron pans onto which the food is kept.

It's a cooking technique that’s been around for hundreds of years. The word "hibachi" has been traced back to the Edo period in Japan, when a form of the word was used to describe braziers used to light charcoal.

In modern times, the word is used to describe cooking that is done over a hibachi in the same way that Americans will use the word grill to describe cooking on a grill.

Hibachi vs. Teppanyaki Cuisine

The term "hibachi" is most often used to describe grilling food in a style of cooking that originated in Japan. Teppanyaki is a style of cooking that originated in Kobe, which is a city in Japan known as the home of the beef bowl popular there.

So what's the difference between the two styles of grilling?

Aside from being grilled in a slightly different manner, the main differentiating factor is in the type of preparation involved in each style.

Hibachi and Teppanyaki chefs will grill a wide variety of meats, seafood and vegetables, as well as a number of hot pots and other dishes.

Using Binchotan

In Japan, Hibachi-style cooking involves the use of a type of charcoal that has been heated until it glows and is referred to as "binchotan". This charcoal can be used to cook on the hibachi, but it's also used to light the hibachi grill.

The charcoal is made from a variety of ingredients such as oak, bamboo, and other hardwoods. It is important to note that the charcoal is only used to light the grill, as it can only be used for a few minutes and produces a lot of smoke.

What Can You Cook on a Hibachi Grill?

There are a lot of different foods that can be cooked with a hibachi grill. Like the teppanyaki grill, the hibachi grill can be used to cook a variety of meats, seafood, and vegetables. The grill can also be used to cook hot pots, stews, and other dishes.

The hibachi grill allows you to cook your food in a way that offers a number of benefits. You can cook your food up to the point of being well-done, but you don't have to cook it all the way to the point of being burnt out.

Conclusion

In the end, there are a lot of different factors that you’ll want to consider when you’re looking for a hibachi grill. Cooking on a hibachi grill is a great way to make sure that your food is cooked to perfection, but not overcooked.

Try hibachi cooking at your own home with Backyard Hibachi. You can find your next backyard hibachi grill among our high-quality models. Browse through our online store today to see for yourself!