The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill Review: An Authentic Taste of Japan, Built Like a Tank

There’s a unique frustration that every serious grilling enthusiast knows well: the feeling of firing up a massive, fuel-hungry grill just to cook a single steak or a few skewers for two. For years, my backyard has been dominated by a large kamado and a multi-burner gas grill. They are fantastic for hosting parties, but for a quiet weeknight dinner or an intimate gathering on the patio, they feel like bringing a cannon to a knife fight. The sheer amount of charcoal, the long pre-heat times, the sprawling cleanup—it all felt like overkill. I longed for something more focused, more precise, and more connected to the art of cooking. Something that brought the fire closer, transforming grilling from a backyard chore into a shared, tabletop experience. This search led me down the path of traditional Japanese grilling, and ultimately, to the subject of today’s in-depth review.

What to Consider Before Buying a Tabletop Charcoal Grill

A tabletop charcoal grill, particularly a Japanese-style yakitori grill, is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for unlocking a specific style of cooking defined by precision, high heat, and flavor. Unlike sprawling kettle grills, their main benefit lies in their intimacy and efficiency. They are designed to bring people together around the table, making the cooking process a communal event. By concentrating intense heat in a small, well-insulated space, they provide an unparalleled sear for skewers (yakitori), steaks, seafood, and vegetables, all while using a fraction of the fuel of a larger grill. This focused approach means more control and a deeper connection to the food you’re preparing. If you’re looking to replicate the authentic, smoky kiss of a Japanese izakaya, this is the tool you need.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the limitations of a large grill, like I was. It’s for the apartment dweller with a small balcony, the dedicated camper who refuses to compromise on meal quality, or the culinary explorer who wants to master specific techniques like yakitori. It is for the person who values build quality and cooking performance over sheer grilling surface area. However, it might not be suitable for those who regularly host large backyard barbecues and need to cook 20 burgers at once. If your primary need is volume cooking for large crowds, a more traditional, larger-format charcoal grill or smoker might be a better fit.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Tabletop grills are, by nature, compact. The The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill measures 16 inches wide, making it perfect for patios, balconies, or even a sturdy outdoor table. Always measure your intended space and consider ventilation. While this grill is designed to keep its base cool, proper airflow is paramount for safety and performance when using charcoal.
• Capacity/Performance: Don’t mistake a small footprint for weak performance. The key metric here is heat retention and efficiency. The MG-168 is designed for high-heat, direct grilling. Its capacity is ideal for 2-4 people, allowing you to cook a dozen skewers or a couple of large steaks at once. The performance hinges on its ability to concentrate heat upwards, which it does exceptionally well.
• Materials & Durability: This is where many cheaper grills fail. The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is constructed from heavy-duty stainless steel, a significant upgrade from the thin, coated metals or diatomaceous earth blocks of some competitors, which can crack. The brushed stainless finish not only looks professional but is built to withstand extreme temperatures and resist rust, ensuring it’s a long-term investment, not a single-season disposable item.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: A great grilling experience can be ruined by a dreadful cleanup process. We looked for designs with removable components. The MG-168 features a fully removable aluminum charcoal box and a stainless steel liner, which dramatically simplifies the process of dumping ash and wiping down the interior. This thoughtful design is a crucial factor for long-term enjoyment.

While the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is an excellent choice, 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:

Unboxing The Bincho Grill MG-168: First Impressions and Core Features

The moment the delivery box arrived, I could tell this was a serious piece of equipment. The sheer weight was the first clue. At 17.5 pounds, the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill has a density and heft that immediately inspires confidence. Unboxing it confirmed this initial impression. The grill was packaged meticulously, arriving without a single scratch and, most importantly, required zero assembly. You simply lift it out of the box, and it’s ready to go.

Holding it, the phrase “built like a tank” comes to mind, a sentiment echoed by many users we surveyed. The brushed stainless steel body is thick and robust, a stark contrast to the flimsy, wobbly construction of cheaper alternatives I’ve tested in the past. Every component, from the body to the heavy-duty aluminum charcoal insert and its stainless liner, feels substantial and precisely engineered. The poplar wood handles provide a comfortable, cool-to-the-touch grip and add a touch of classic aesthetic warmth to the industrial design. It feels less like a portable camping accessory and more like a permanent, professional-grade fixture for your home. You can see its full feature set and user reviews to get a better sense of its premium build.

From Steak to Skewers: A Deep Dive into the MG-168’s Grilling Prowess

A grill can look fantastic, but its true worth is proven in the fire. Over several weeks, we put the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill through its paces, cooking everything from traditional chicken thigh and scallion yakitori to thick-cut ribeye steaks, jumbo shrimp, and assorted vegetables. In every test, it didn’t just meet our expectations—it fundamentally changed how we approach small-scale grilling.

Built to Last: A Closer Look at the Stainless Steel Construction

The foundation of this grill’s performance is its uncompromising construction. Made entirely of heavy-gauge, brushed stainless steel, it feels incredibly solid. There are no flimsy legs, wobbly joints, or thin metal that might warp under high heat. This robust build isn’t just for show; it’s central to the grill’s function. The thick walls act as a phenomenal insulator, absorbing and radiating heat back towards the food with incredible efficiency. This means that once your charcoal is lit, the energy is directed exactly where you want it—upwards into the food—not lost to the surrounding air. This efficiency allows you to use less charcoal to achieve and maintain scorching temperatures, making it more economical in the long run.

We found this to be a significant advantage over cheaper models. As one user noted after trying inferior options, they “should have done from the outset” and invested in quality. The The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is that quality investment. The wooden handles remain cool, allowing for safe repositioning even mid-cook, and the entire unit sits flat and stable on any surface. After multiple high-heat sessions, there was no discoloration, warping, or any sign of wear and tear. This is a grill designed to be a reliable partner for years of culinary adventures, a fact that makes its premium price point feel entirely justified. For those who prioritize longevity, this level of durability is a key selling point.

The Heart of the Flavor: Mastering Heat with Binchotan Charcoal

This grill is purpose-built for binchotan, the traditional Japanese white charcoal prized for its ability to burn cleanly at extremely high temperatures for long periods with virtually no smoke or flare-ups. The grill’s narrow, deep design is no accident; it’s engineered to cradle these charcoal logs perfectly, creating a concentrated river of intense, infrared heat. During our tests, we loaded the heavy-duty aluminum charcoal box, and the results were stunning. The heat was incredibly even and consistent across the entire 16-inch grate.

This controlled intensity is what makes it a master of searing. We tested one user’s claim of a “restaurant quality” sear on a steak. By arranging two layers of binchotan to bring the heat source close to the grate, we achieved a perfect, dark crust on a 1.5-inch ribeye in just three minutes per side, leaving the inside a beautiful medium-rare. The flavor was pure beef, untainted by the acrid smoke you get from lesser charcoal and poorly designed grills. For yakitori, the performance was flawless. The skewers cooked quickly, developing a beautiful char without burning, while the inside remained juicy and tender. We even tried carne asada, as another user suggested, and found the grill’s focused heat was perfect for getting that authentic char on thinly sliced marinated beef. The ability to produce such high-quality results is a feature that truly sets it apart.

Effortless Experience: From Tabletop Safety to Post-Grill Cleanup

One of the most remarkable features of the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is its ability to operate at volcanic temperatures internally while remaining safe to the touch on the outside. The clever dual-wall design incorporates an air gap that insulates the outer body from the intense heat of the charcoal box. Throughout a two-hour grilling session with binchotan burning at full tilt, we were able to place our hands flat on the wooden side panels and even on the lower portion of the stainless steel body without any discomfort. This makes it genuinely tabletop-safe, allowing you to place it right in the center of your outdoor dining table and create an interactive, communal cooking experience for your guests.

After the meal, cleanup—often the bane of charcoal grilling—was refreshingly straightforward. Some online chatter suggests these types of grills are difficult to clean, but our experience was the complete opposite, aligning perfectly with users who found it to be a “breeze.” The design is fully modular. Once the grill cools, you lift out the grate, then the entire charcoal box assembly (which contains the liner and all the ash). You can then dispose of the cold ash from the liner, wipe it down, and give the main stainless steel body a quick wipe. There are no hidden corners or inaccessible crevices for grease and ash to accumulate. This thoughtful, user-friendly design ensures you’ll be eager to use the grill again and again, rather than dreading the aftermath. You can check the latest price and availability and see for yourself how its design simplifies the entire grilling process.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our overwhelmingly positive experience with the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is strongly corroborated by feedback from other buyers. The consensus is clear: this is a premium, high-performance piece of equipment. One user, who was deciding between this and another high-end portable grill, expressed they were “so glad” they chose the Bincho, falling in love with it after the first use for its versatility with everything from yakitori to Korean BBQ. Another, a self-proclaimed grilling enthusiast with a collection of different grill types, stated the product “feels on par with its price” and praised the company’s customer service and availability of spare parts.

The most compelling endorsements come from those who appreciate its authenticity and build quality. A Japanese user called it a “great product” and the only real choice for making yakitori at home, strongly recommending its use with binchotan charcoal. This sentiment was echoed by another buyer who, after being disappointed by cheaper options, found this grill “works perfectly.” The “built like a tank” description appeared in multiple accounts, highlighting the robust construction as a key reason for purchase, even for users new to yakitori who simply wanted a reliable, portable grill for camping.

How The Bincho Grill MG-168 Stacks Up Against the Competition

While the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill excels in its niche, it’s important to understand its context within the broader charcoal grill market. The alternatives provided are not direct competitors but represent different grilling philosophies. This comparison highlights who the Bincho is truly for.

1. Royal Gourmet CC1830FC Charcoal Grill Offset Smoker

The Royal Gourmet CC1830FC is a classic, budget-friendly backyard grill and smoker combo. Its primary appeal is versatility and large cooking area, designed for traditional American barbecue—think slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and grilling for a family gathering. It’s a fantastic entry point into smoking meats. However, it is the polar opposite of the Bincho grill in terms of portability, precision, and intimacy. A user would choose the Royal Gourmet for volume and low-and-slow cooking, whereas they would choose the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill for high-heat searing, portability, and a communal tabletop experience.

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

This Royal Gourmet model represents the traditional cart-style charcoal grill. It offers a respectable cooking area, the convenience of foldable side tables for prep space, and mobility around a patio thanks to its wheels. It’s a workhorse for general-purpose grilling like burgers, hot dogs, and chicken. It’s a better choice for someone who needs a single, do-it-all grill for a typical backyard setting. The The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill, in contrast, is a specialist tool. It doesn’t have prep tables or wheels because it’s designed to be placed *on* the table, serving as the centerpiece of the meal itself.

3. Royal Gourmet CC2036F Charcoal Grill with Offset Smoker

The Royal Gourmet CC2036F is a behemoth designed for feeding a crowd. With over 1200 square inches of cooking area, this barrel grill and smoker is built for large events, block parties, and the most serious barbecue enthusiasts who measure their meat by the pound. It offers immense capacity that the compact Bincho grill could never match. The choice here is about scale. If your grilling life revolves around large gatherings, the CC2036F is your tool. If it revolves around perfecting a single steak, crafting authentic skewers for a few friends, or having a high-quality grill for a camping trip, the The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is unequivocally the superior choice.

The Final Verdict: Is The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill Worth Your Investment?

After extensive hands-on testing, our conclusion is resounding: The The Bincho Grill MG-168 Mini Yakitori Grill is a masterpiece of design and function. It is a specialized instrument that executes its intended purpose with flawless precision. Its greatest strengths lie in its exceptional, heirloom-quality build, its incredible heat efficiency when paired with binchotan charcoal, and its thoughtful, user-friendly design that makes it both safe for tabletop use and surprisingly easy to clean. This is not just another portable grill; it is an invitation to a more engaging and authentic style of cooking.

We recommend it without hesitation to the culinary enthusiast who values quality over quantity, the apartment or condo dweller with limited outdoor space, and anyone seeking to replicate the true flavors of Japanese yakitori at home. While its price places it in a premium category, its performance and durability make it a worthwhile long-term investment that will pay dividends in incredible meals and experiences for years to come. If you are ready to elevate your grilling game and invest in a tool that is as beautiful as it is functional, you will not be disappointed. You can find out more and order yours today to begin your journey into authentic tabletop grilling.