Kasai Little Konro Grill 50/50 Plancha Edition SVT-16202

The Kasai Little Konro 50/50 Plancha Edition is a compact hibachi-style charcoal grill designed and manufactured in the UK. It combines a traditional Japanese konro cooking format with a stainless steel 50/50 split griddle plate, making it a practical option for restaurants that want to offer authentic charcoal-cooked dishes at the table or as part of a live cooking station.

The body of the grill is constructed using a natural clay material housed within a stainless steel frame. Clay of this type has strong insulative properties — it reflects heat back into the cooking chamber rather than losing it to the surrounding environment. In practice, this means charcoal burns more consistently and for longer compared with conventional metal grills, which matters during a busy service when frequent refuelling would interrupt workflow. The grill reaches the high surface temperatures needed for proper searing and caramelisation, making it well suited to meats, fish, vegetables, and finishing dishes prepared via sous vide or other low-temperature methods.

The 50/50 plancha plate maximises contact between food and the cooking surface, which helps operators achieve an even crust without the grill marks of a standard grate. This suits a range of menu applications — from scallops and thin-cut proteins to vegetables requiring gentle caramelisation.

• Clay construction extends charcoal burn time, reducing mid-service fuel changes
• Plancha plate delivers consistent surface contact for even searing
• Compact footprint suits pass or table cooking setups
• High searing temperatures lock in natural flavours without added aromas
• Stainless steel frame is practical to clean and maintains a professional appearance

At 13.1kg the unit is portable and can be repositioned between services, though it requires a suitable heat-resistant surface and adequate ventilation wherever charcoal is burned. It is not suitable for use in enclosed spaces without appropriate extraction, and operators should confirm compliance with local fire and ventilation requirements before introducing charcoal cooking to a kitchen or dining area. The grill is sized for two to four covers, so it is best viewed as a table or station unit rather than a high-throughput production grill.

This model is well suited to independent restaurants, Japanese dining concepts, and hospitality venues looking to add an interactive charcoal element to their offering. For sites needing greater capacity or a larger cooking area, alternative models in the Kasai range may be more appropriate.

If you're considering introducing charcoal cookery to your service and want to talk through how the Little Konro fits into your setup, we're happy to help you work through the detail.