Kasai Little Konro Hibachi Charcoal Grill with Heat Mat SVT-16178

The Kasai Little Konro is a compact hibachi-style charcoal grill, designed and manufactured in the UK for use in both professional restaurant settings and domestic environments. It follows the traditional Japanese konro format — a ceramic-lined charcoal grill built for high-heat, close-proximity cooking — and is sized to serve two to four covers at a sitting. The stainless steel frame houses a natural clay lining, and this edition includes a vermiculite heat mat as standard to protect surfaces during service.

The clay lining is central to how this grill performs. Rather than dissipating heat outward, it retains and reflects heat back toward the food, which means charcoal burns longer and more efficiently than in conventional open grills. This translates directly into fewer interruptions during service to manage fuel, and more consistent cooking temperatures over a sitting. The grill reaches the high temperatures needed for proper searing — important for locking in natural flavours without introducing unwanted aromas — and is well suited to meats, fish, and vegetables, as well as finishing dishes that have been prepared using sous vide or other low-and-slow methods.

From an operational standpoint, the key practical advantages are:

• Natural clay lining improves heat retention and extends charcoal burn time
• High surface temperatures suitable for searing and finishing work
• Stainless steel frame is robust and straightforward to maintain
• Vermiculite heat mat included — protects work surfaces and table tops
• Compact footprint works well for tableside service or pass-side finishing

It is worth noting that this is a charcoal grill, so it requires suitable ventilation — extraction or outdoor use. It is not designed for connection to gas or electrical supply. At 14.45kg, it is manageable to move but not a lightweight piece, so placement should be considered in advance. This size suits smaller operations or dedicated sections within a larger kitchen; for higher-volume or continuous service settings, a larger model may be more appropriate.

The Little Konro is particularly well suited to Japanese restaurants, izakayas, and contemporary dining concepts incorporating hibachi-style cookery, as well as smaller venues looking to offer an authentic charcoal-grilled element without committing to a full robata installation. It also works well for tableside theatre in the right setting.

If you are unsure whether this size suits your service volume or have questions about how it fits into your kitchen setup, the team is happy to talk it through with you before you order.