My favorite Korean grill is the Elite Gourmet Smokeless grill. This grill boasts a large cooking area, excellent temperature control, and its smokeless design makes it ideal for indoor use. I’m going to cover 5 of the most popular Korean grills and cover the pros and cons of each. The right grill for you comes down to your needs.
Before the pandemic hit, I would go out to eat Korean BBQ several times a month. All those lockdowns put a stop to my favorite habit, so I had to improvise and get my very own grill for home use. I learned a ton during the shopping process!
I’m going to reveal the best Korean BBQ grill and cover other popular models. I’ve also included a buyer's guide!
Here are the top picks for the best Korean BBQ grill:
Best Overall
This is my favorite of the electric Korean BBQ grills on this list. This grill is so easy to use. All you have to do is plug in the Korean barbecue grill, set your desired temperature, and then wait for it to heat up. Then you’re good to go!
This is a great Korean BBQ grill if you are new to grilling or cooking.
I love that it is so easy to control the temperature on this Korean BBQ grill. Just set the dial to your desired temperature, and the grill begins to heat up. You have four settings to choose from - all the way from 250°F to 450°F. So you can sear meat at high temps and cook veggies at more moderate temperatures.
I put this Korean BBQ grill to the test. I am delighted to say that it maintains a consistent temperature. I didn't notice any cool or hot spots. All my food cooked at a similar rate.
This is perfect if you’ll be using the Korean BBQ grill inside your home. Some models produce smoke. This one is smokeless.
I used it many times before writing this review, and it was smoke-free. Use it indoors without fear of setting off the smoke alarm.
One downside with this model is that the cord is a bit short. You’ll have to keep it near an electrical outlet or use an extension cord.
One of the perks of heading to Korean BBQ restaurants is that the grills tend to be quite large. This makes them perfect for a crowd. Well, this BBQ grill has a large cooking surface area too. So, even if you are feeding a larger family, you will be able to do so easily. Astonish your friends with your new BBQ skills.
Runner Up
Are you looking for a more authentic Korean BBQ grill but still want something that is easy to use? Well, this Iwatani smokeless Korean BBQ grill offers you just that. The grill is based on a traditional design. Authentic Korean BBQ is grilled over gas or charcoal, so this passes the authenticity test.
I love the fact that the water beneath the main plate reduces the amount of smoke coming out of this Korean BBQ grill. It also steams the food, making it more tender. As a result, it is perfect for indoor use.
Since this Korean BBQ grill is fueled by gas, it’s similar to what you will find in many restaurants., I couldn't help but notice that the flavor of this model is slightly different from electric Korean BBQ grills. The flavor is spot on with my favorite Korean BBQ joint.
So, if you would like to elevate the flavor of your food, I would certainly consider this Korean BBQ grill.
I will admit that I was a bit skeptical about using a gas burner indoors. However, I found this Korean BBQ grill incredibly easy to use. Simply pop in the propane canister, pour water into the lower container, and place the Korean BBQ grill pan on top.
Then you just set the temperature you want to cook at, and you’re good to go. Even if this is your first time trying out Korean BBQ grills, you will be able to pick up the process quickly.
One of the reasons that this grill boasts easy cleanup is that most of the oil funnels into the oil-catching tray. This makes cleanup a breeze!
A small amount of oil is used on the grill plate, which can spit out of the pan. The grill is easy to clean, but you will probably need to clean the area around the grill after cooking.
Best Charcoal Grill
If you’re looking for the most authentic Korean BBQ experience, this is the grill for you. I love that by simply using this grill, you are elevating the quality of your cooking.
One complaint I have about this Korean barbecue grill pan is that it is pretty small. At most, it can feed two people, and even then, you may need to cook your food in batches. Also, it should only be used outdoors. You don’t want a cooking fire in your home. Also, fires produce smoke.
You’ll be cooking over a live fire, which kisses the food with smoky flavors you don’t get from any other grill on this list. Toss some wood chunks or chips or chunks on there, and you can infuse your food with the flavor of wood smoke. Even using just charcoal, I was able to get an absolutely unbeatable flavor from the meats I cooked.
One of the reasons that this grill is at the top of the best Korean BBQ grills list is because of its excellent temperature control. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to change the temperature on this Korean grill.
Open the vents to allow more air in and goose the fire. Close the vents to knock the temperature down. It’s a little trickier than a dial with a temp setting, but it’s still pretty simple, and the smoky meats are definitely worth it!
Another thing that I like about this portable Korean BBQ unit is that it is pretty durable. So much more than the average electric Korean BBQ grill. Not only is everything from the grill plate to the charcoal bowl made from high-quality materials - there are also no delicate, intricate parts to this grill. It’s a beast.
This makes it an excellent investment!
Even with gas Korean BBQ grills, even cooking isn't always guaranteed. This is why this grill is one of my favorites - the Korean BBQ grill pan boasts even heating within a short period of time.
This means that you can arrange your meat or veggies however you like and know that they are all going to be cooking at a similar rate.
My only issue is that this isn't the most durable Korean grill. Some reviewers noted that the pan can begin to warp after about a year of use. Use and clean it carefully.
Even if you haven't spent a lot of time cooking on Korean BBQ grills, you will still be able to turn out delicious food with this Korean grill. The gas-fired grill pan and the even heating allow you to produce tasty food each and every time.
I also love how easy this Korean barbecue grill is to use. The ignition is really reliable and starts up without any delay. The temperature is also easy to control and quite exact.
And, of all the Korean BBQ grills I have tested, the grease drainage system has to be the best. The orientation of the grill pan combined with a drainage hole allows all the excess fat and liquid, like soy sauce, to drain easily.
Since most of the excess oil is drained away, it’s easy to clean this Korean grill pan. The cooking surface is pretty non-stick, too, so getting cooking debris off is no problem at all.
Since the walls of this Korean barbecue grill pan are pretty high, you only really have to clean the pan. The rest of the stove can be wiped down.
Now, this grill isn't the most traditional Korean grill out there, but it is a great option if you want a massive grilling surface. This is the largest grill on this list and is great for feeding a crowd!
Not only is the grilling surface huge, but there are also two types of grilling surfaces. You can use the included griddle or grill. This means that you can get food with or without grill marks, depending on your preference.
Do you want a Korean BBQ that’s a Swiss Army Knife capable of performing other functions? If so, this is the grill for you! This comes with a grill stone - great to use as a handsome cheese board, or it can go on the grill and be used as a warmer. There are also individual trays so everyone can personalize their culinary experience!
This grill table is pretty simple to use, too. The indicator lights let you know how the grill is functioning, and the temperature control dial makes setting the temp a breeze.
My only complaint regarding this grill is that it doesn't get as hot as I would like it to.
Here are some tips to follow. Let’s get you the best Korean grill for your needs!
The first decision that you have to make is the type of fuel source your grill will have.
What I like about the electric grill is that they are simple to use. They’re perfect if you live in an apartment because these grills are almost completely smokeless. The flavor is inferior to charcoal, though.
Next up, you have the gas grill. This is what you find in many Korean restaurants. If you want to recreate delicious Korean BBQ indoors in the comfort of your home, this is the grill to use. In my opinion, these grills still lack flavor when compared to charcoal. They are fairly simple to use, it’s just a matter of turning them on and setting the dial to the desired temperature.
The heating can be spotty at times, but this depends on the make and model. Some people may also not feel very comfortable attaching the grill to a gas canister.
Next up, you have the charcoal grill - you can't really beat it for flavor! It gives off a gorgeous smoky aroma and really elevates the taste of your food.
Of course, these grills do have a tendency to be more work. You’re not just pushing a button to start cooking. These give off more smoke too, and should only be used outdoors because of safety concerns.
Your stove and a pan can be used to recreate Korean BBQ flavors. Think about your preferred eating style. Do you mind if just one person does the cooking? You lose the “wow” factor of eating together at the same table where your food is cooked, but you save money not buying a new BBQ setup.
But if you would like a more communal eating experience, then you should think about getting a full setup. This way, you can set it on the table and have everyone contribute. This also creates a more authentic Korean BBQ experience.
A lot of these grills are meant to be portable and are quite small. Consider how many people you would like to cook for at one time.
If you have three or more members in your family or you entertain frequently, you may want to think about choosing a larger grill. If you don’t get a big enough grill, you will be forced to cook in smaller batches, and this can take a while!
It doesn't matter what kind of grill you are getting. Just make sure that the cooking surface is coated with a high-quality, non-stick coating. This way, you will be able to easily get the food off the grill and let the next batch cook.
Also, I have found that nonstick cooking surface pans tend to be easier to clean once you’re done cooking on them.
When you are considering a grill, make sure to look at the drainage system. A lot of people fail to think about this, but it is a key element.
First, is the pan designed in a way that the oil can drain from the center and move to the sides? Then, take a look at the actual drain - is it placed and designed in such a way that facilitates the disposal of the oil from the grill?
Taking a look at the drainage does two things. First, it ensures that your meat and veggies aren't sitting in a pool of oil as they cook. It also ensures that your pan will be easy to clean up once you are done.
The Elite Gourmet Smokeless grill is the best Korean BBQ grill for me. It has a large cooking surface area, offers great temperature control, and has a smokeless design. It is also easy to use.
Of course, the best Korean barbecue grill for you might be totally different. Maybe you love eating outdoors and prefer food cooked over hot coals. Great! Grab a charcoal Korean BBQ grill. The best grill is the grill that fits your needs. Thanks so much for reading and happy grilling.
