Marsh Allen 30052 Cast Iron Hibachi 10 by 18-Inch Charcoal Grill

Growing up near Camp Lejeune NC, it seemed every Marine has this on his back porch. There was a Hibachi grill and a cooking pot with their fatigue hat draped over the pot to keep the hat looking perfect. So, I decided to try one out 55 years later.This grill is a well-made, solid cast iron grill. Even the grates are cast iron and tough. For our first cooking test, we cooked Yakitori on skewers. It came out DELICIOUS. We coasted the grates with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. We started the charcoal in the bottom of the grill. I'd give the charcoal about 30 minutes to reach cooking temperature. To prevent sticking and make it easier to clean up, I'd apply oil with a paper towel to the grates but only after the grates have heated up over the coals.I expected a cheap low-quality grill from China, but this grill is very well-made and made to last. Oh, I also lined the bottom of the grill with aluminum foil to make cleanup easier and to take the stress off the bottom of the grill.

Plenty sturdy, easy to set up. Don't mess around with a huge BBQ if you just want a little patio size grill for veggies and chicken or the occasional steaks. I combined this with the killer grilling baskets elsewhere in my reviews and that worked really well for grilling tomatoes, garlic and onion prior to making sauce with them. I put this Hibachi on the folding grill stand also reviewed here, what a great easy setup. The grills included cleaned right up after use with a quick soak, it's good quality and well-finished cast iron.

This is a neat little hibachi. I've used it a half-dozen times for burgers, steaks, chops & chicken and it's done a great job. Assembly was a no-brainer.After buying a free-standing grill every couple of years and having them rust out despite keeping them covered, I opted for the tabletop variety. We rarely cook for more than four (usually just the two of us) and managed to keep a CharBroil tabletop propane grill for over six years by keeping it in a storage bench on the back porch even though we used it nearly every weekend. When I couldn't get a replacement burner, we replaced it with a Bond tabletop propane which is not bad. But I still wanted to do some "old-fashioned" charcoal grilling.The surface is large enough for 3 to 4 large chicken breasts or three good-size steaks or four pork chops or 4 to 6 burgers along with a few dogs & brats. For two, three or four people, this is usually plenty.I coated the grilling surfaces with olive oil before the first use and hit them with cooking spray after each clean up. I've never had a problem with anything sticking to the surface (which is more than I can say for the propane grill). The wood handles on the grill plates do get a bit hot but I've not felt the need for an oven mitt when adjusting the height. I've also had to move the gill (while cooking) using the wood side handles and have done that without mitts as well but would still recommend using mitts if you absolutely have to move it.All in all, we have been very pleased with the grill and consider it well worth the $33 price tag.

Like others, I fondly remember the Hibachis of old. This has a good deal of the form but it’s not quite as heavily constructed. Then again, the old ones were quite heavy but also fell apart or rusted beyond recognition after a season.As assembled the grates weren’t even but the holders are stamped instead of cast so I easily bent the grates to be even. Also the wood handle of one grate had started to split even before assembly. Both the adjustable vents seemed flimsy. This may be the Hibachi for the ages but I’ll be satisfied with one season.Once assembled, I added a few old briquettes, fired them up with a propane torch and, after 20 minutes or so put the grate on to pre-heat. The grates are as heavy as the old ones ‘back in the day’ which makes for good cooking. And it did cook the ribeye well. Please see the image of it in action.There’s something satisfying in an atavistic way using this to cook over the all stainless gas fired Weber we also have. Minimalism at it finest.