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If you’ve ever tasted Korean BBQ either at a restaurant or at a party, you’ll certainly agree with us when we say that it is super tasty. Chances are you’re interested in making yours and that explains why you are looking at this review.
Finding the best Korean BBQ grill can be a tough nut to crack, given the plethora of grills on the market. So we took a step to outline our favorite models and why we think you should consider them.
#1. Best Korean BBQ Grill – Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill
The Zojirushi Electric Grill is eye-catching, compact-sized, and easy to use. Simply put, it is a cost-effective grill that is good for preparing Korean BBQ. It is electrically powered and offers a reasonably large cooking space.
At a glance, you’ll appreciate the black finishing and the multi-layered nonstick grilling surface. And there’s also the heating element which packs a ton of power. We talked more about the grill in our review below.
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#2. Best Gas Korean BBQ Grill – TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill
Everyone loves the TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan and the reason isn’t far-fetched. It has a nonstick cooking surface as well as an effective draining system to match and the finishing is resplendent.
Need we talk about the high-powered burners which are electrically powered and have a somewhat unique piezo-electric ignition? You can opt for the stand without the grill pans or the full grill set. In all, you’re getting nothing short of great value.
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A Simple Guide to Choosing A Korean BBQ Grill
What are those specific things you should look out for when choosing a Korean BBQ grill? Let’s find out.
Size
As with most grills, size can be a deal-breaker – that is if the price doesn’t break the deal first.
Most Korean BBQ grills are small and as such you should not expect a large cooking space from it. If you intend to do a lot of cooking then you should be prepared to spend hours preparing that Korean BBQ for people.
This is not to say that you cannot find some that are larger than the others. However, a 12 to 14-inch cooking space is what you will most likely get. This size apparently, is large enough to cater to a small family.
The size of the BBQ grill gives a hint to the number of people that can be fed at once. If you are hosting a party and you want to serve Korean BBQ, then you should purchase or make arrangements for more units to feed more people.
Let’s not forget to mention that size should also be considered if you have limited storage space. If you are going camping, chances are that you may be low on space.
In summary, consider the storage space, cooking space, and the number of people you’re going to serve the BBQ.
Grease System
Grilling comes with a handful of debris, chief amongst them being the grease from the meat. Luckily, given the design in vogue, most Korean BBQ grills have grease trays that catch grease as they drop through the dedicated grease hole.
Having a grease system makes cleaning the grill a lot easier as the grease trays are often dishwasher safe. In addition to that, as the grease drips down into the hole, it reduces the amount of smoke generated whilst you are grilling.
Nevertheless, the absence of a grease system should not be an impasse for you.
Heat Source
Another important thing you should consider when getting a Korean BBQ grill is the heat source. A lot of people see the Korean BBQ grill pan as a BBQ grill. It’s not totally a miss as both the grill pan and the full grill set also counts.
If you have a Korean BBQ grill pan, then you will need to get your own heat source. This could be gas or electrically powered. On the other hand, if you are getting a full-set Korean BBQ grill, the available heat choices are either gas, charcoal, or electricity.
Whichever one you get, you should consider the availability of heat source and of course, the advantages of each one. For instance, if you are living in an apartment building, you might want to consider an electric model over a charcoal model.
For a charcoal-powered Korean BBQ grill, you’ll need to heat up the charcoal for some minutes before you can grill on it. Time is lost in the process and people will certainly become hungrier.
On the other hand, a stovetop model can draw power from your gas burner and begins to cook immediately. The same applies to an electric-powered model although it is certain that the heating elements in an electric model may not distribute the much-needed heat to your meat.
Material
Most Korean BBQ grills are made from ceramic, aluminum, Teflon, steel, etc. to mention a few. The material used for making it can greatly influence the durability of the grill. All the same, the aforementioned materials are sturdy and will definitely last.
A nonstick coated cooking surface is also worth taking note of. Interestingly, almost all the grill makers use a nonstick coating on their grilling pans. As you already know, this ensures that your grilling surface does not release chemicals when it is heated.
Power And Heat Controls
Earlier, we made mention of electrically-powered Korean BBQ grills. It is important to take note of the power requirements of the grill as higher power ratings often mean faster cooking times. In addition to that, you should look out for energy-saving badges as units with it will help you save on electric bills.
With respect to heat controls, take note of the temperature requirements of a grill you are interested in buying. This stems primarily from the fact that some BBQs require certain temperatures.
Thus, if your Korean BBQ grill doesn’t have a wide temperature range, you might not be able to cook that perfect BBQ.
Extra Features
What are the extra features you should consider? There aren’t a ton of them out there. But you can look out for things like divided cooking sections, a lifter for taking off your grill pan especially when it is hot, to mention a few.
There’s also a need for an auto-shutoff switch as well as light indicators. In the absence of these features, you can still be able to use your grill. We also recommend you have a carbon monoxide detector nearby if using your grill indoors.
Easy To Use And Clean
Fortunately, most grills have easy to use controls. In fact, many are often fitted with a simple adjustable knob for setting the desired temperatures. With easy controls, even seniors can be able to enjoy Korean BBQ with ease.
Cleaning can be a whole lot of chore for many of us, but it’s easier when some parts of the grill are dishwasher safe. Not all grills have dishwasher safe parts and you should bear in mind that this is not a major deal-breaker.
Korean BBQ Grills Reviewed
What makes the TeChef Grill different from the 4YANG and why did we pick the Zojirushi as the best Korean BBQ grill? These are some of the questions we intend to answer below.
#1. Best Korean BBQ Grill – Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill
Type: Electric
Features: A wide heat range, nonstick cooking surface, has dishwasher safe parts, grease drain gutter.
For many of us who like to grill on an electric grill, the Zojirushi EB-CC15 Grill is definitely going to make us smile. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any flaws. The shortcomings notwithstanding, it packs a great punch.
Let’s start with the size. It is compact sized, measuring about 12.63 x 18.75 x 3 inches. Given its size, portability is definitely guaranteed especially when you take into fact its 1.03 lbs weight. With its good size also comes an aesthetically pleasing design.
It looks good no doubt and offers a moderate grilling space. The holes underneath the grilling surface, are large enough to get the heat to your meat and drain the grease into the grease tray below.
Without being told, it has a nonstick coating to ensure safe cooking. It is removable as is the drip tray beneath it. By the way, the drip tray is dishwasher safe. It makes the cleaning process a lot easier, or doesn’t it?
The Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill is electrically powered and has a 1300W power rating. It has a heat control knob that offers three heat levels: high, medium, and low. The heat levels span a range of temperatures between 80°C to 210°C which in our opinion is wide enough.
Considering the simplistic design of the Zojirushi Grill, it suffices to say that it gets the job done and is easy to clean. Let’s not fail to mention the side handles which remain cool even when you’re cooking.
The only reservation we have about this grill is that it is rather conservative with heat when grilling thick steaks. You might want to opt for something more powerful if you like your steak thick. Other than that, it gets a thumbs up from us.
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Gas Korean BBQ Grill
#2. Best Gas Korean BBQ Grill – TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill
Type: Gas
Features: Gas-powered, effective grease drain hole, has a wide heat range, easy to use control knob, powerful burner, auto-ignition, lightweight, and compact-sized.
As we’ve earlier mentioned, many Korean BBQ grill enthusiasts fancy the TeChef Grill for different reasons. Some like the compact design and others, the fuel source. Whatever your reason is for choosing it is, it won’t disappoint you.
Considering its small size, one would expect a rather limited cooking space. The reverse is the case. However, given the fact that it comes with a circular grill pan, it loses out on some grilling real estate.
It measures an appreciable 14 x 6 x 14 in and has a cooking space of about 12-inches, a tad lower than that of the Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill. With respect to its weight, it hovers around 7.6 lbs.
The TeChef Stovetop Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill comes with a grill pan fitted with an effective grease drain hole to the side of the pan. Based on the design of the grill, the grates are somewhat slanted to ensure proper drainage.
However, you’ll need to place a plate under that spot to catch the grease – easy peasy. The grill is made from Teflon materials and it features a nonstick grilling surface. It is able to withstand high heat levels against other nonstick surfaces designed for medium heat levels.
Power is derived from the small butane cylinder which is easy to insert and remove. This cylinder is connected to the surprisingly powerful burner with a 500 BTU rating. The ignition on this unit is piezoelectric so you have no need for a matchbox or lighter – in case you forget one.
The ignition is also connected to the heat knob which turns all the way up to very high levels. We didn’t take note of the temperature but it certainly gets hot enough to give you a tasty grilled meal.
We certainly have no reservations about this grill. We talked about its grill pan in the grill pan section below.
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Charcoal Korean BBQ Grill
Take a look at our favorite charcoal BBQ grill for making Korean BBQ.
#3. BBQMM Charcoal Korean BBQ Grill
Type: Charcoal
Features: Comes with an air blower, multi-layered design, easy to assemble and clean, comes with a carrying bag, made from stainless steel material, offers a 12-inch cooking space.
One of the reasons people tend to look away from charcoal grills is the time it takes to get the charcoal hot. You’d have to fan hard and consistently to get the charcoal hot. With a fan or air blower, the job is made easier – as is the case with this BBQMM Korean BBQ Grill.
With respect to size, the BBQMM Charcoal Korean BBQ Grill is compact-sized and measures about 19 x 15 x 7 inches. It offers a 12-inch cooking space that can serve at least 4 persons a bite of Korean BBQ.
The grill is lightweight – weighs about 4.26 lbs – and is very portable. In fact, it comes with its own carrying bag and is easy to assemble right out of the box in a matter of minutes.
Based on the layered design, it is able to capture grease and ash from the charcoal into a drip tray. This is easy to remove and wash although you’d have to wait for the grill to cool off. Assembling it back is quite easy.
As we mentioned earlier, one of the things that will endear you to this grill is the fact that it comes with a blower fan. The blower fan is hand propelled in contrast to the battery-power on other fans. This saves you the stress of carrying batteries up and down.
With respect to the heat controls, there’s none on this charcoal grill – not that we expected anyway. It does get relatively hot – and adds that extra sweet charcoal flavor to your grilled food.
As we mentioned earlier, the unit is easy to assemble, and disassemble and cleaning is also easy. Our only reservation is with the smoke management which apparently, is an issue with any charcoal grill.
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Korean BBQ Grill Pans
Here are our favorite grilling pans for making Korean BBQ.
#4. Cook N Home 02648 Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan
Type: Grill Pan
Features: Made from aluminum materials, multiple surface compatibility, dishwasher and hand washing safe, non-stick coating, free from PFOA, etc.
Korean BBQ grill pans are grilling pans designed for the specific purpose of grilling using multiple heat sources. The Cook N Home 02648 Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan is well designed to meet your needs without any hassles.
First, it’s lightweight – as you’d expect – weighing just about 1.8 lbs. Surprisingly, it weighs a few grams more than the Zojirushi EB-CC15 Indoor Electric Grill that we talked about a moment ago.
It has ample grilling space of about 12-inches in diameter even though it measures about 15.5 x 13 x 2 inches. With respect to design, it looks great, nothing special. As for the material, it is made from die-cast aluminum materials.
This die-cast aluminum material is sturdy and can withstand high heat levels as you cook. It is also designed to be break-resistant – so they say. It’s coated with nonstick material which we are certain is devoid of PFOA and its ilk.
Heat distribution is much better on the Cook-N-Home grill, thanks to its aluminum cooking surface.
It is designed to be used on multiple heat sources including gas, ceramic, halogen, and electric surfaces. This ensures that you are able to make your Korean BBQ without any hassles no matter where you are.
However, you should be prepared to deal with grease splatters here and there on your cooking surface. There is a small grease drain to one side of the grilling pan. It might not be as effective as you’d expect.
There are handles onto the side that get a little warmer when you are grilling. They aren’t stay-cool as they have no rubber nor silicone overlays on them.
In all honesty, we don’t have any reservations about this grill. It’s nice and gets the job done.
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#5. TeChef Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan
Type: Grill Pan
Features: Dedicated grease hole, free from PFOA materials, dishwasher safe, oven safe, multiple Teflon coating, non-stick cooking surface.
The TeChef Korean BBQ Non-Stick Grill Pan is the grill pan variant of the grill we reviewed above. It’s no different from Cook N Home 02648 Stovetop Korean BBQ Grill Pan save for the design – both serve the same purpose.
TeChef built this grill pan to high standards, taking into consideration a plethora of factors including different usage scenarios and heat sources. As expected it is compatible with a plethora of heat sources.
The TeChef Grill Pan is made from multiple layers of aluminum material. This thick aluminum finishing allows for proper heat distribution. There are no cadmium, LEAD, or PFOA materials on the cooking surface. Again, it is coated with Teflon and is nonstick.
With respect to the cooking area, you have about 12-inches of cooking space to do your cooking. The cooking area has a swirling design that tapers off into a groove which forms part of the grease discharge system.
Owing to the slanted nature of the grilling surface, the grease drains away easily. With respect to cooking temperatures, the pan is designed to withstand high temperatures. Given the fact that it is aluminum, you should expect optimum heat distribution. And as we mentioned earlier, it can be used on different heat surfaces.
Let’s not forget to mention that you can use the TeChef Grill Pan in your ovens. It’s oven safe up to about 450oF. In addition to that, it is also dishwasher safe. We certainly do not have any reservations about this grill pan and it gets a yes from us.
Be sure to check out its full set grill for even more cooking flexibility. As we mentioned above when we reviewed it, everyone loves it, literally.
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Electric Korean BBQ Grill
Here are the electric-powered Korean BBQ Grills we’re reviewing.
#6. 4YANG Removable Hot Pot Electric Indoor Grill
Type: Electric
Features: A hot pot, nonstick coating, electrically powered, standalone dual temperature controls, aesthetically pleasing design, vented glass lid for hot pot.
The 4YANG Hot Pot Electric Grill is a compact-sized powerful grill that has enough grill power for making Korean BBQ. It is designed with the sole aim of giving you a tasty shabu and Korean BBQ experience.
For a lot of us who have not been to a Japanese restaurant where they serve shabu, you’re definitely missing out on a good meal.
The 4YANG Removable Hot Pot Electric Indoor Grill is compact-sized. It measures about 21.6 x 8.8 x 20 inches and weighs a tad over 13lbs. Aesthetically, the design is pleasing to the eye and will complement your countertop without taking any noticeable space.
It offers about 4.5L of cooking space for making the shabu and a circular space for your Korean BBQ. At the end of the day, you’re able to prepare two meals in one with little or no effort.
There’s a hidden oil collector on the base of the unit. It’s easy to draw out, wash, and replace. That notwithstanding, you’ll still encounter a few grease splatters here and there. To the side of the grill are the handles that are firm and manage to stay warm while you’re cooking.
The grill is electrically powered. It has a 2200W power rating and dual temperature control zones. With the dual temperature control zones, you can control the cooking temperature of the grill and the hot pot.
It gets hot effectively and heats up in less than 10 seconds and delivers optimal heat to your cooking surfaces. The cooking surface is nonstick and as such is easy to clean and safe for cooking at high temperatures.
We have no reservations about this unit, that’s not to say that it is flawless.
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#7. Maple Enjoy Hot Pot & Korean BBQ
Type: Electric
Features: Compact-size, premium stainless steel finishing, dual temperature controls, heat up quickly, glass lid for the hot pot, can feed half a dozen people at once.
The Maple Enjoy Hot Pot & Korean BBQ shares a similar design with the 4YANG Removable Hot Pot Electric Indoor Grill. Both have a hot pot and a grilling surface that grills your meat whilst you cook.
It’s compact-sized as we expected and weighs a tad less than 13lbs. It measures about 16 x 9 x 16 inches but offers a smaller 12-inch cooking surface. Given its size and weight, taking it out of the house, to the beach, for instance, won’t be an inconvenience.
It’s made from a combination of materials, chief of them being stainless steel. We particularly like the red color of the base and the black accents here and there that make it stand out on any countertop.
As for the grill, it is made from aluminum materials. It is nonstick and devoid of chemicals. The cooking surface is small and can only accommodate about 2 liters of food – a bit larger and carrying about will be a chore.
The grill includes a mini cooking bowl and a surrounding glass lid with a tiny air vent. It heats up quickly, thanks to the dual temperature control knobs on the side. Each of the knobs is independent of the other.
Power-wise, you’d have to plug in the unit to an electric outlet since it’s electrically powered. It packs a sizeable amount of power to get your meals and even the grilling surface heated up in a matter of minutes.
One of the reservations we have about this grill is that the space for grilling by the side isn’t all that encouraging. If the unit had the design of the SEAAN Electric Hot Pot Indoor Korean BBQ Grill, perhaps, it would have offered a larger cooking space.
And again, we think that the lid of the bowl is slightly larger than it should be.
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#8. 4YANG 2200W Electric Hot Pot Grill Indoor
Type: Electric
Features: Hot pot and grilling surface, side controls, lightweight and portable, easy to dismantle and reassemble.
The 4YANG 2200W Electric Hot Pot Grill Indoor is in no wise different from its sibling which we reviewed earlier on. As expected, it packs a punch under the hood, serving as both a hot pot and a Korean BBQ grill.
It is lightweight, compact-sized, and portable. With respect to weight, it weighs about 12 lbs and measures about 21 x 9 x 20 inches. As we already mentioned above, the design allows you to make your Korean BBQ with ease whilst making your shabu at the same time.
Owing to its design it is easy to dismantle for washing. The hot pot features a glass lid with a tiny air vent and it offers a dual cooking partition. This cooking partition comes in handy for making small different meals.
On the other hand, the body of the grill is made from aluminum materials and the grilling and cooking surfaces both have a nonstick coating.
The cooking space is appreciable and offers ample space to cook meals for up to 6 persons at once. It is backed by a 2200W electric heating element that allows it to get relatively hot quickly and makes sure it doesn’t get your food burnt.
There are dual control knobs to the side, each with its own LED indicator. These knobs separately control the grill and the hot pot. Owing to the absence of many control buttons on this grill, it suffices to say that it is easy to use.
We love the ease of dismantling it to clean or get your food off. You’ll definitely have to deal with grease dripping onto your cooking table, but that’s expected.
In all, we don’t have any reservations about the grill.
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#9. GOT HOT POT 3-in1 Electric Shabu Grill
Type: Electric
Features: 3-in-1 design, nonstick cooking surface, electrically powered, energy-efficient, double control knobs, powerful heating element, hot pot with 2.6L capacity, aluminum, and stainless steel finishing.
The GOT HOT POT Shabu Grill takes the notch a little higher than we’ve seen so far in this review of the best Korean BBQ grills. With its protean design, one can only but expect finesse from it.
At a glance, you’ll appreciate the compact size of the grill and how it is designed to suit your cooking and grilling needs. It measures about 21 x 7.5 x 12.5 inches and weighs about 10 lbs, a tad heavier than some of the grills on our list combined.
It’s made from a perfect combination of aluminum and stainless steel materials. This combo makes it look aesthetically appealing. The grill features a dual cooking surface, one for grilling, and the other for the hot pot.
To the center end of the grilling surface is a grease hole that ensures oil and grease are trapped into a collector. This is not to say that you will not experience splashes here and there on your countertop or table. The hotpot itself comes with a glass lid with a vent hole for releasing pressure.
With respect to the power source, it is electrically powered and has a 1700W power rating. As expected, it heats up quickly, thus allowing you to prepare your meals in record time. There are dual control knobs for controlling the hot pot and the grilling surface.
The hot pot contains a removable cooking pan that comes in handy for cooking different things. Let’s not fail to mention that the cooking and grilling surfaces are both nonstick. There’s also a glass lid for the cooking pot.
We have our reservations about this grill. The heat settings on the grill aren’t adjustable easily and this can make your food burn when you’re grilling considering that it heats up pretty quickly.
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#10. SEAAN Electric Hot Pot Indoor Korean BBQ Grill
Type: Electric
Features: grill and hot pot combo, separate control knobs, easy to use, lightweight and compact-sized, fast heating time, oil drain hole.
The SEAAN Electric Grill sits princely at the bottom of our review list. It’s in no way the least recommended grill – in fact, it’s very much as appreciated as the other grills we’ve reviewed so far. What makes it special? Let’s find out.
From looks, it shares similarities with the 4YANG Removable Hot Pot Electric Indoor Grill. There is little distinction between them save for size and dimensions. With respect to size, it measures about 22 x 21 x 9 inches and weighs only 13 lbs.
It is electrically powered and has a 2200W power rating. SEAAN touts the small cooking and grilling space as being able to feed up to 6 persons. We certainly think the opposite – it can feed three but not 6.
Controlling the grill is easy-peasy, thanks to the dual control knobs for both the hot-pot and the grilling surface respectively. The grill is nonstick and is darn easy to clean after each use.
As we expected, it came with its own grease collection system – which still doesn’t totally eliminate grease spills on the table. The grease is trapped in a removable container that is under the cooking surface.
With respect to heating up, it’s not surprising to know that the SEANN Electric Grill heats up pretty quickly. There is a circular heat collecting ring that evenly distributes heat to the hot pot and the BBQ grill surface.
We don’t have any misgivings about the grill at this point and we hope you’ll find it suitable for your needs.
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FAQs- Grilling With A Korean BBQ Grill
Tons of people have tons of questions to ask regarding Korean BBQ and the grills for making them. We answered a few of these tricky questions below.
Can I use a griddle for Korean BBQ?
This is certainly possible but the type of griddle you’ll use is important. A conventional griddle will work but then you’ll have a lot of cleaning to do when you are done. This is because the conventional griddle doesn’t have any drain system for grease and oils. Hence, they are splashed all over the place. Your saving grace might be the presence of a catch pan on your grill.
To be on the safer side, you should consider getting a griddle with openings for trapping the oil. Or perhaps get one that is angled in slots.
Are Korean BBQ grills safe for use in an apartment?
Yes, they are safe for use in apartments. However, you should ensure your kitchen is well ventilated if you’re using it indoors. On the balcony, you should keep an eye on it to ensure that young children don’t get close to it to avoid injuries.
What makes Korean BBQ special?
The taste of Korean BBQ is quite different from the others. Hence, it’s highly sought after.
How do you use a Korean grill pan?
If you already own grills at home and you’re not looking forward to buying another one just for making Korean BBQ, a grill pan is definitely what you should consider. These grill pans are designed to effectively give your food the Korean BBQ taste whilst trapping oil/grease through a drain hole.
They are often designed to work with different heat sources, have nonstick interiors, and are easy to wash.
Final Words…
With the great taste that comes with Korean BBQs, comes the responsibility of maintaining the grills and the grill pans – depending on which one you choose to use. If you keep them in good shape, they will last for a long time, and of course, draw new Korean BBQ friends to your doorstep.
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