Best Teppanyaki Grill

Teppanyaki grills are about the entertainment just as they are about the food itself. These grills offer a unique style of cooking that was hard to replicate in home-cooked meals.

By Kitchen Gadget Box

Teppanyaki grills are about the entertainment just as they are about the food itself. These grills offer a unique style of cooking that was hard to replicate in home-cooked meals.

Teppanyaki grills add such an incredible savoriness to anything you cook. Then there’s the entertainment factor these grills are famous for. You get to enjoy cooking while having your family and friends seated around you.

Often called Japanese hot plates, teppanyaki grills are more or less similar to an iron griddle. They have a flat, stable surface where the food is cooked. In fact, in Japanese, the term ‘teppan’ means ‘iron plate.’

Because we know how much you value your grills, we searched high and wide to bring you a terrific selection of these fantastic cooking surfaces. We were able to round up five top choices you’ll love!

The 5 Best Teppanyaki Grills

Keep reading to find out which one is the best teppanyaki grill for you.

Teppanyaki grills are about the entertainment just as they are about the food itself. These grills offer a unique style of cooking that was hard to replicate in home-cooked meals.

With manufacturers making home teppanyaki grills, you can now entertain, cook, and enjoy delicious food with family and friends right in the comfort of your kitchen.

Blackstone Table Top Gas Grill: Best Overall

The Blackstone Table Top gas griddle is designed for outdoor use. Having a compact surface of 260 square inches provides better control of cooking temperatures.

The Table Top grill weighs 21 pounds and measures 17 x 8.5 x 16 inches. While it’s probably one of the most compact teppanyaki grills, it’s also pretty heavy. That’s something to keep in mind when weighing your options.

Our Rating
This portable grill is built with an easy to use electric igniter, uses convenient 1 pound propane bottles for fuel, and has a built in grease catcher. Perfect for camping, tailgating, road trips, hunting and everyday outdoor use.

To quickly heat the cold-rolled steel cooking surface, this griddle has a stainless steel burner in the shape of the letter ‘H.’ This design offers fast cooking and an even distribution of heat. The entire unit is made of stainless steel with a black powder coat finish for added durability.

We especially appreciated how easy this grill is easy to clean and maintain. All we had to do is pour a bit of water over the surface while it’s still hot. The food residue comes right off.

If you enjoy cooking large quantities or want something to take with you on your next camping trip, the Blackstone Table Top is a top choice. Attach a 1-pound propane fuel tank, use the electric ignition, and you’re all set.

One main disadvantage of this Blackstone griddle is that it doesn’t come pre-seasoned. That means you have to oil it and prepare it according to the user instructions that come with the unit. Even though the directions are easy to follow, the whole process can be inconvenient.

Features we like

  • Portable and great for outdoor use
  • H-design allows for fast, even cooking
  • Wide cooking surface
  • Low-maintenance
  • Minimum assembly required

Presto 07061 Electric Grill: Best Compact

The Presto 07061 electric teppanyaki grill is a functional, reliable piece of cooking ware. It’s made of aluminum, plastic, and a heavy-cast base. Yet, it still maintains a slender weight of 6.5 pounds. It’s easy to clean and maintain.

Our Rating
Removable handles for easy cleaning and compact storage. No tools required. With handles removed, the base stores neatly in most standard 18-inch kitchen cabinets.

With a 22 x 11.5 inches cooking space, you get a wide cooking surface with plenty of room for cooking your favorite foods. That surface is covered with a specific texture that provides premium stick-free performance. You can even make pancakes without using any oil!

Even though the surface needs minimum amounts of oil, you’ll still find a drip tray on the bottom of the unit. You can easily slide it out to be removed and cleaned.

We were also impressed with the ‘Control Master’ feature on the 07061 grill. It allows you to keep the grill’s surface at whatever temperature you want.

Another feature that caught our eye is this grill’s removable handles. Removing them is quick and can be done in a few seconds. You don’t even need any tools.

This is practical when you’re cleaning the grill. Plus, it makes it more compact, thereby taking up less storage space.
The whole unit is sturdy, even with the removable handles and feet. You can safely use the Presto 07061 on any even surface to make delicious food for your whole family.

Features we like

  • Wide non-stick surface
  • Control Master keeps grill at the desired temperature
  • Removable handles and feet
  • Lightweight
  • Budget-friendly price

Blackstone 1554 Outdoor Gas Grill: Best High-End

The Blackstone 1554 outdoor gas grill is the largest one we have on our list. It weighs 120 pounds and measures 62 x 22 x 36 inches.

This stainless steel unit is massive compared to other teppanyaki grills. Yet, it’s still easy to assemble and a breeze to operate.

Our Rating
4 Adjustable heat zones makes for a versatile cooking surface where you can cook several foods at once and not burn a thing!

The quick-ignition grill is in the middle of the station. There are two table tops on either side to help you prepare your food. There’s also an area underneath to hold your ingredients and cooking accessories.

The 1554 grill is designed for outdoor use. It has four legs, with industrial-strength caster wheels for easy portability. Two of these four wheels can be locked for added safety when you’re cooking.

There are four stainless steel burners to control the temperature, each with various temperature settings that range from low to high. This feature gives you the option of cooking different things at the same time.

The griddle top is made from a thick stainless steel surface. It’s excellent at distributing and retaining heat and allows you to evenly cook your food.
One drawback is that the oil drainage system could use a bit of work. Even though the 1554 unit comes with either a front or rear grease drain, it doesn’t do a good job of catching all the oils. We found some of the oil running down one of the legs.

Features we like

  • Caster wheels allow for easy portability
  • Four burners
  • Griddle top evenly distributes heat
  • Contains plenty of space for preparation and storage

Little Griddle GQ230 Gas Grill: Best Budget

The Little Griddle GQ230 is made from 100% restaurant-grade stainless steel griddle. Weighing 14.5 pounds and standing at 25 x 16 x 6.5 inches, the GQ230 is incredible for hosting parties or taking along with you on your camping trips.

Our Rating
Made from heavy gauge stainless steel and engineered to the highest standards, the GQ-120 creates a griddle space on half of your grill, while keeping half of the grate space free for conventional grilling.

This cooking griddle can be operated using gas or charcoal. It only takes a few minutes to heat up fully. Plus, the GQ230 is capable of providing an even distribution of heat, thanks to its cross-bracing design found underneath the unit.

One of the practical features of the GQ230 is its removable handles. It makes it easy to clean, store, and transport. To attach, simply secure them in place without the need for any tools. They remain sturdy and stable once in place.

Being slightly heavier than other portable teppanyaki grills, the GQ230 uses this extra weight to remain firmly in place when you’re cooking. To collect all the excess oils, there’s a drainage tray in the front of the unit. It’s easy to pull out and remove for cleaning.

The one downside to the GQ230 is that the grill surface isn’t non-stick. We had to buy a teppanyaki spatula specifically-designed for scraping foods.

Features we like

  • Easy to transport
  • Removable handles
  • Cross-bracing design allows for even heat distribution
  • Removable drainage tray
  • Moderately-priced

Broil King PCG-10 Portable Electric Grill: Best Portable

The Broil King PCG-10 is a portable electric grill, yet it manages to deliver highly professional cooking options. It’s 8.5 pounds with dimensions of 29 x 12.5 x 5.5 inches. The cooking surface measures 21 x 12 inches.

Our Rating
An environmentally friendly non-stick with non-stick coating grill, with removable stainless-steel backsplash; rear legs help facilitate grease run-off.

The PCG has a drip tray that collects residue and grease at the bottom. One of its primary functions is keeping the food free from excessive amounts of oil. The great thing about it is how easy it is to remove and clean.

The grill also comes with a removable stainless-steel backsplash. While it’s great at preventing hot oils from splattering, we found it somewhat difficult to work with. One reason is that the backsplash comes in contact with the non-stick surface of the grill. That can make it extremely hot and a potential safety hazard.

Another reason is that it’s pretty flimsy and can easily bend out of shape. This can damage the backsplash, as well as the grill itself.
The one prized feature of this grill is that it boasts a non-stick coating, making cooking and cleaning easy and mess-free. The best thing is you won’t need any cooking spray.

The handles are made of durable stainless steel designed to remain cool to the touch. The PCG-10 is a low-maintenance, high-quality teppanyaki grill that’s sure to impress.

Features we like

  • Non-stick surface
  • Cool-touch handles
  • Practical drip tray
  • Easy to clean and maintain

What to Look for When Buying a Teppanyaki Grill

All teppanyaki grills bring the magic of Japanese cooking into your home. Yet, not all grills are created equal.

We’ve made a list of some of the basic features you should look for in a grill. Please take a look at them before you make your final decision.

Material

Teppanyaki grills should be made of durable materials that can withstand high temperatures. These materials consist mainly of stainless steel, other types of metal, and some pieces of plastic.

The way these grills are designed is what makes the food cook quickly. Their design also helps distribute heat evenly across the surface of the grill.

Ease of Use

The best thing about most teppanyaki grills is that they’re easy to clean. One way is to wash away food residue as soon as you’re done cooking while the grill is still hot.

Another option is to wait and wash it off later simply. The residue won’t harden and stick to the grill once it cools down, as opposed to what happens on standard BBQ grills.

Look for grills with a non-stick surface. It prevents food from sticking to the surface and getting burned. Plus, it makes cleaning even easier.

Versatility

It’s handy to have a grill that heats up quickly and has a vast cooking space. This way, you can cook almost any type of meat and vegetable on your grill.

Not only that, but you can also take it with you whether you’re going camping or enjoying a beach-side picnic. You can use it indoors, too.

The teppanyaki grill is versatile, functional, with the added benefit of turning cooking into a fun experience. That’s certainly a distinctive feature to look for when you’re shopping for a grill of your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some common questions regarding teppanyaki grills. They can help you learn more about your grill and how to keep it in tiptop shape.

How do I pre-season my grill?

Typically, pre-seasoning your grill means covering its surface with a thin layer of oil. Then, turn on the grill and burn off the fat without cooking anything. This process should be repeated two or three times before you can do any actual cooking.

Is it safe to use my teppanyaki grill indoors?

As with any type of indoor cooking, proper ventilation is vital. It’s the same with these types of grills.

Make sure there’s fresh air coming in and out of your home. If you can, open a couple of windows or turn on a fan.

Having proper airflow will prevent your home from filling up with smoke. Plus, it’s the best way to avoid having clothes and furniture that reek of that grilled-food smell.

I can’t seem to get rid of the smell of grilled food. What do I do?

If you’ve tried airing out your home but still feel the lingering smell of grill smoke, there are several options to try. With each of the following, it’s better to keep a window open to boost air circulation and make the smell go away faster.

  • Light a couple of scented candles
  • Fill several bowls with vinegar or baking soda around your home
  • Leave some activated charcoal in various areas
  • Install an air purifier

Should I cover my outdoor grill?

Almost all outdoor grills are designed to be dismantled for storage. Even if that’s the case with your grill, it’s still nice to have any type of protective covering for it.

The cover will protect it from moisture, dust, as well as prevent it from getting rusted or damaged.

A Final Note

The best teppanyaki grills make get-togethers more fun and entertaining. They have this unique ability to add an exquisite taste to your dishes that are sure to impress your guests.

Even though they stem from Japanese cooking, they can be used for almost anything. This is one reason why many people choose them over standard BBQ grills.