PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill Review: The Ultimate At-Home Korean BBQ Experience?

There’s a unique magic to Korean barbecue. It’s not just about the food; it’s the experience. The sizzle of marinated pork belly hitting a hot grill, the laughter shared across the table as everyone cooks their own perfect bite, the irresistible aroma of charcoal and caramelizing sauce filling the air. For years, my friends and I chased this experience in restaurants, often facing long waits and steep bills. We talked about recreating it at home, but the idea seemed daunting. A full-sized charcoal grill felt like overkill, and a gas grill just wouldn’t capture that authentic, smoky flavor. We needed something different: a grill that was intimate, portable, and specifically designed for the tabletop experience we loved. The challenge was finding a unit that was more than a novelty—one that was genuinely well-built, easy to use, and simple to clean. This quest for the perfect at-home KBBQ solution is what led us to the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill, a product promising to bring that restaurant-quality social grilling experience right to our own backyard.

What to Consider Before Buying a Portable Charcoal Grill

A portable charcoal grill is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking spontaneous culinary adventures. Unlike their bulky, stationary counterparts, these compact grills are designed for mobility and convenience, empowering you to enjoy the authentic, smoky flavor of charcoal-grilled food at picnics, on camping trips, on a small apartment balcony, or even as the centerpiece of your dining table for a social meal. The main benefit is freedom—the freedom from being tethered to your backyard and the freedom to create memorable dining experiences anywhere you choose. They bridge the gap between the convenience of a small appliance and the unmatched taste of real charcoal cooking.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing spatial or lifestyle constraints. This includes city dwellers in apartments with limited balcony space, campers and beachgoers who prioritize portability, and social hosts who love the idea of interactive, tabletop cooking like KBBQ or hot pot. It’s for the person who values experience and flavor over sheer cooking volume. Conversely, this type of grill might not be suitable for those who regularly host large backyard parties for a dozen or more people, as the smaller cooking surface would become a bottleneck. If you need to cook 20 burgers at once, you should consider a larger, traditional kettle or barrel grill. Those who demand precise, set-and-forget temperature control might also be better served by a gas or pellet grill.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A grill’s footprint is paramount. For a tabletop model like this, you must consider not just the 13.7-inch diameter but also the safe clearance needed around it on your table. Measure your intended space—be it a patio table or a camping tailgate—to ensure a comfortable fit for the grill, food platters, and your guests. Its 4.1-pound weight and compact height make it incredibly portable, a key factor if you plan to transport it frequently.
• Capacity/Performance: The cooking surface dictates how many people you can serve efficiently. While the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill has an outer diameter of 13.7 inches, we found the effective cooking surface is closer to 11 inches. This is perfectly adequate for a group of 2 to 4 people, and potentially up to 6 with continuous cooking. Performance is also about heat control; look for features like adjustable air vents, which this grill includes to help you regulate the charcoal’s intensity.
• Materials & Durability: The longevity of a grill is tied directly to its construction. The PHOJEWI features a body made of food-grade stainless steel, which we found to be resistant to high temperatures and rust. The dual cooking surfaces—a non-stick aluminum pan and a stainless steel mesh—offer versatility but require different care. Stainless steel is a durable, reliable choice for the main body, promising a longer lifespan than cheaper coated metals.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: Your grilling experience shouldn’t end in a frustrating cleanup session. A major advantage we noted was the non-stick KBBQ pan, which, as one user confirmed, is “super easy to wipe.” Look for grills with removable components, like the charcoal ash bowl and perforated plate found in this model, as they dramatically simplify the process of disposing of ash and washing the parts. Long-term care involves proper cleaning after each use and storing it in a dry place to maximize its rust-resistant properties.

While the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is an excellent choice for its niche, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: Unboxing a Gateway to Flavor

Opening the box for the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill felt like unpacking a promise. Everything was nested neatly, and the immediate impression was one of thoughtful design. The main body, crafted from stainless steel, had a satisfying weight to it—not heavy, but substantial enough to feel stable and durable. Assembly was practically non-existent; the components simply stack together logically. You have the outer grill body, the charcoal ash bowl that drops inside, a perforated plate for airflow, and then your choice of cooking surface on top. The inclusion of both a non-stick KBBQ pan and a traditional stainless steel grill mesh immediately signaled the product’s versatility. We also appreciated the small but critical details: the anti-scald handle for lifting the hot pan or charcoal bowl, and the separate stand to protect your tabletop from heat. It’s a complete, self-contained system that feels ready for adventure right out of the box. Compared to setting up a large kettle grill, this was an absolute breeze, taking less than a minute from box to fully assembled.

A Deep Dive into the PHOJEWI’s Grilling Performance

A portable grill can look great on paper, but its true worth is only revealed in the heat of the moment—literally. We put the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill through a series of real-world tests, from a classic Korean barbecue night on the patio to grilling burgers at a local park, to truly understand its capabilities and limitations. Our extensive testing focused on its dual cooking systems, its true portability and setup convenience, and the practicalities of heat management and cleanup.

The Dual-Personality Cooking System: KBBQ Pan vs. Grill Mesh

The standout feature of this grill is undoubtedly its two distinct cooking surfaces. This isn’t just a gimmick; it fundamentally changes what you can cook and how you cook it. We started with the non-stick aluminum KBBQ pan, the clear star of the show. After lighting a small bed of lump charcoal and letting it ash over, we placed the pan on top. Its heat conduction was impressively fast and even. We threw on thinly sliced pork belly (samgyeopsal) and pre-marinated beef (bulgogi). The sizzle was instantaneous and immensely satisfying. The non-stick surface performed brilliantly, preventing the sugary marinades from welding themselves to the pan. This confirmed one user’s experience who noted, “It’s super easy to wipe the non stick pan.” We found their advice to wipe the surface frequently with a paper towel between batches was crucial for preventing burnt-on sauces from smoking and affecting the flavor of the next items. The pan’s design, with its slightly raised center and outer channel, allowed fats to render and drain away, creating perfectly crisp edges on the meat. We also grilled asparagus, zucchini, and mushrooms alongside the meat, and everything cooked beautifully. The ability to cook right at the table transformed our dinner from a simple meal into an engaging, communal event, which is the very essence of KBBQ. For anyone specifically looking to recreate an authentic Korean BBQ experience at home, this feature alone makes the grill worth serious consideration.

Next, we swapped out the pan for the stainless steel grill mesh to test its capabilities as a more traditional Japanese-style (yakiniku) or American-style grill. The open grate allows for direct flame contact, delivering a much smokier flavor and distinct grill marks. We cooked some shrimp skewers, small burger patties, and slices of steak. The heat from the charcoal was intense and direct, searing the food quickly. This setup is ideal for foods that benefit from a hard, fast sear. However, with fatty foods, you do need to be more vigilant about flare-ups compared to the contained environment of the KBBQ pan. The adjustable air vents on the side of the grill body proved essential here, allowing us to choke the airflow slightly to calm the flames. The mesh, being stainless steel, was naturally more difficult to clean than the non-stick pan, but a good grill brush made short work of it. This dual-surface functionality makes the PHOJEWI grill a two-in-one powerhouse, adeptly handling both delicate, saucy KBBQ and robust, flame-kissed grilling.

Portability and Setup in the Wild

A grill is only portable if you actually want to take it with you. At just 4.1 pounds and with its compact dimensions, the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is genuinely effortless to transport. We were able to pack the entire unit, a small bag of charcoal, and grilling tools into a standard reusable shopping bag, just as one user mentioned in their review. This is a game-changer for spontaneous outings. We took it to a local park for an afternoon cookout, and the setup process was refreshingly simple. From bag to ready-for-charcoal took less than 60 seconds. The included stand is a crucial component that shouldn’t be overlooked. We placed the grill on a wooden picnic table, and the stand provided just enough elevation to keep the table surface completely cool to the touch throughout our two-hour grilling session. This feature provides immense peace of mind, allowing you to use the grill on a variety of surfaces without fear of causing damage. This thoughtful design element truly enhances its tabletop usability. Its small size also means it requires much less charcoal than a larger grill, adding to its efficiency and convenience for on-the-go use. Whether it’s for a balcony, a beach trip, or a tailgate, this grill’s portability is one of its strongest selling points.

Heat Management and Cleanup: The Nitty-Gritty

Effective grilling hinges on temperature control, which can be tricky with charcoal. The PHOJEWI’s system is simple but effective. The adjustable air vents on the side of the main body are the primary control mechanism. Opening them wider increases oxygen flow, making the coals burn hotter and faster. Partially closing them reduces the airflow, lowering the temperature and extending the life of the coals. We found that for high-heat searing on the grill mesh, keeping the vents wide open was best. For a longer, more controlled KBBQ session with the non-stick pan, we started with the vents open to get the coals lit well, then closed them about halfway to maintain a steady medium-high heat. With one full charcoal bowl, we got a solid 60-90 minutes of consistent cooking time, which was more than enough for our group of four. One user noted adding water to the outer ring of the grill body (not the charcoal bowl) during cooking; we tested this and found it helps create some steam and can prevent the base from getting excessively hot, a clever tip for extended sessions.

Cleanup is often the most dreaded part of charcoal grilling, but the PHOJEWI makes it remarkably painless. Once the grill had completely cooled, we lifted out the charcoal bowl using the anti-scald handle and disposed of the ashes. The stainless steel grill body wiped clean with a damp cloth. The grill mesh required a bit of scrubbing, as expected. But the non-stick pan was the easiest of all—a quick wash with soap and water was all it took to make it look new again. The “effortless cleanup” praised by one user was not an exaggeration in our experience. This ease of maintenance is a significant factor that makes us want to use the grill regularly, rather than having it become a special-occasion-only tool due to a dreaded cleanup process.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our positive experience with the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is strongly echoed in the feedback from the wider user community. A recurring theme is the sheer joy of recreating the restaurant-style KBBQ experience at home. One user raved, “Being able to do this in my own backyard is awesome. Much more budget friendly to marinate my own meat.” This sentiment captures the core value proposition of the grill perfectly. The ease of cleaning is another frequently praised aspect, with comments like “Very easy to clean” and “cleanup was effortless” appearing consistently. Its portability is also a major win, described by one happy customer as “prefect to carry in a reusable shopping bag, and carry to a park or beach.”

However, user feedback also provides a crucial reality check on two points. Firstly, several users correctly point out that while the grill is marketed for “Indoor/Outdoor” use, it should absolutely not be used indoors. As one person wisely stated, “I would never use this grill indoors because although you get minimal smoke from the charcoal, the dripping from food would smoke up your whole house.” This is critical safety advice we wholeheartedly endorse. Secondly, the distinction between the overall diameter and the actual cooking surface is noted, with one review mentioning, “the actual cooking grill was about 11″ in diameter.” This is an important expectation to set for potential buyers planning meals for larger groups.

How Does the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill Compare?

The PHOJEWI excels in its specific niche of portable, tabletop grilling. However, the world of charcoal grills is vast, and it’s important to understand how it stacks up against different types of competitors for different needs.

1. Royal Gourmet CD1824EC 24 Inch Movable Charcoal Grill with Cover

The Royal Gourmet CD1824EC represents the next step up in size and functionality. This is a classic backyard cart-style grill with a much larger 490 sq. in. cooking area and convenient features like foldable side tables and wheels for mobility. Someone should choose this over the PHOJEWI if their primary need is to cook for larger groups of 6-10 people in a traditional backyard setting. It offers significantly more space for burgers, steaks, and chicken, but completely sacrifices the tabletop intimacy and extreme portability of the PHOJEWI. It’s the choice for classic American BBQ gatherings, not for interactive KBBQ dinners or camping trips.

2. Royal Gourmet CC1830FC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker

This Royal Gourmet model introduces an entirely different cooking style: smoking. The inclusion of an offset smoker box allows for low-and-slow cooking, perfect for making tender briskets, pulled pork, and ribs. This is a specialized tool for the aspiring pitmaster. While it can also be used for direct grilling, its main appeal is smoking capability. A buyer would choose this if their culinary passion lies in authentic barbecue and smoking meats over several hours. It is far larger, less portable, and requires more skill to operate than the PHOJEWI, which is designed for quick, direct, high-heat cooking.

3. Weber Performer 22-Inch Charcoal Grill

The Weber Performer is an icon in the grilling world, combining the classic 22-inch kettle design with the convenience of a sturdy cart, a side table, and often a gas ignition system. It’s the versatile, all-around workhorse of charcoal grilling. You would choose the Weber if you want a single, high-quality grill that can do almost everything well—from searing steaks to slow-roasting a whole chicken. It offers a large cooking area and enjoys a stellar reputation for durability and performance. However, it is not a tabletop grill and, while movable around a patio, it is not truly portable in the way the PHOJEWI is designed to be taken to a park or beach.

Our Final Verdict: Is the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill Worth It?

After extensive hands-on testing, we can confidently say that the PHOJEWI 13.7 Inch Portable Charcoal Grill is an outstanding product that delivers exactly what it promises. It is not trying to be a replacement for a large backyard grill; instead, it perfects the art of small-scale, social, and portable charcoal cooking. Its dual-surface system is its greatest strength, offering genuine versatility that allows you to host an authentic KBBQ night with the non-stick pan and then switch to searing skewers on the grill mesh for a completely different meal. The thoughtful design, from the protective stand to the easy-to-clean components, makes it a joy to use from start to finish.

We highly recommend this grill to anyone who loves the interactive experience of Korean barbecue, city dwellers with limited outdoor space, campers, or anyone looking for a high-quality, ultra-portable charcoal grill. It’s the perfect tool for creating memorable meals for small groups. While you must heed the warning against indoor use and be aware of its modest capacity, its performance within its intended role is exceptional. If you’re ready to elevate your social gatherings and enjoy delicious, charcoal-grilled food anywhere, this grill is a fantastic investment in culinary fun. You can check the latest price and order yours today to start your own tabletop grilling adventures.