Why choose a Japanese Hibachi Grill?
Cast iron cookware has been in use for hundreds of years and
played a major role in the kitchens of almost every country and civilization since the Roman
Empire.
If you are considering buying a cast iron
hibachi, you've probably already heard about some of the benefits of this legendary grill. Over the
past several centuries, as technology and metallurgy improved, the hibachi evolved into an extremely
effective tool used to cook meat, poultry, fish and many other types of food. After reading the article
pasted below, we felt it contained information on hibachi grills that visitors to our website would likely be
interested in.
Why choose a Japanese Hibachi Grill?
By Steven Aucoin
The Hibachi grill is one of the lesser known
types of barbecue when compared against the likes of leading manufacturers portable grills such as the Weber
Smokey Mountain, the Cobb and the Cadac's of this World, and it is safe to say that its age has definitely
not affected its popularity as a portable grill solution.
Japanese in origin, the Hibachi actually originated in Japan as a
type of brazier that was used by nobles as far back as the 6th century. Back then, Hibachi's were commonly
made from clay that was lined with wood, and as such was a functional and reasonably durable piece of cooking
equipment.
These days, the Hibachi design has grown in popularity and these
days is commonly made from cast-iron, using charcoal as fuel to provide a traditional style of cooking that
is commonly used in contemporary barbecue grills. Just like its modern counterparts, the Hibachi
grill is produced by many difference manufacturers and is available in various sizes and
configurations to suit different needs, and despite is ancient origins, performs just as well making the
Hibachi a very popular type of grill to cook on thanks to it's direct cooking and
portability.
When buying a
Hibachi grill, it is worth paying extra for a
cast-iron version as these are superior in many respects to those that are made from aluminium which are not
only inefficient to cook on, they are also not particularly durable. Hibachi grills are available in different
designs, being embellished with attractive symbols, different colour schemes and other aesthetically pleasing
adornments making them eye-catching when displayed outside.
Their design varies considerably from one manufacturer to another,
and for maximum flexibility it is worth considering purchasing a Hibachi that has adjustable grills that will
give you more control over cooking your food. Some people prefer the basic, fixed design that does not allow
for adjustments to the cooking grate height as this is considered to be a more “pure” form of cooking on the
Hibachi grill.
One of the unique aspects of using a
Hibachi grill is that many of them
allow the charcoal to be placed at two different levels under the grill. This allows the cook to have two
different temperatures to cook at, allowing larger items to be cooked at a higher temperature on one side,
while smaller pieces may be cooked at a slower rate on the other. It is worth noting that not all Hibachi
grills are equal, and if flexibility is something you are looking for in this style of BBQ grill, then look
for models that incorporate vents in them, which allow for fine adjustment of air intake which will allow you
to have greater control over the cooking temperature. It will take some time to get used to using these vents
as you cook, and this is all part of the great Hibachi cooking experience.
Cooking on a
Hibachi BBQ grill is almost identical to any other
charcoal grill, apart from the fact that the grill has the capability to have two different temperature zones,
while this is an advantage the Hibachi is really only suited to cooking smaller cuts of meat, such as chicken
pieces, wings, burgers, and kebabs. When using the Hibachi, remember that cast-iron versions retain heat very
well, so always operate the grill, having a good pair of heat-resistant oven mitts to hand. Also ensure that
the Hibachi is placed on a strong steady surface that is level such as a stone or wooden floor, and always
have a bucket of water or sand, or better yet, a small fire extinguisher close by. The Hibachi is unique in
many ways and will appeal to many people for a variety of reasons.
One of the finest things
about the Hibachi is the way that it is capable of cooking food just as well as many good quality grills that cost
several hundred pounds as well as being an attractive focal point where ever it is used. Take your time selecting a
Hibachi grill and enjoy using it and tasting the great food that it produces in the traditional
methods used by the people of Japan and China many centuries ago.
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