Shichirin table grill
A long table, a coal bin in the middle and everyone turning their own skewer: that is how you grill on a Shichirin. At YAKINIKU® you choose from round and rectangular models that reach up to 1000°C, with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic. Browse the range and order online. On working days, orders placed before 2 PM are shipped the same day.
Japanese table grilling with the YAKINIKU® Shichirin
What is a Shichirin table grill and how does it work? A Shichirin is a compact Japanese table grill in which charcoal glows beneath a grate, so you grill small bites directly above the fire. The ventilation sliders control the airflow and therefore the heat: more air gives a hotter fire, less air a calmer one. The ceramic body holds the heat and releases it evenly to the grate. That way you decide for yourself whether to sear or to cook gently. The word Shichirin literally means “7 rings”, referring to the rin, a currency from the Japanese Edo period starting in 1603.
Grilling on a Japanese table barbecue is not simply barbecuing, it is a different discipline: more refined, more elegant and smaller. Everyone prepares their own small portions as they like, similar to gourmet cooking at the table, but over glowing coals. Bite sized pieces of meat are done in a few minutes, and fish and vegetables pick up a light smoky flavour. If you spread the coals unevenly, you create a zone of direct heat for searing and a zone for indirect grilling to cook gently. That way, this traditional Japanese grill brings an authentic piece of Japanese cuisine to your own terrace.
What is the difference between a Shichirin and an electric table grill? A Shichirin runs on charcoal and grills over an open fire, while an electric table grill heats with a plug in element. Only with coals do you reach temperatures up to 1000°C, a heat an electric element cannot match. At that heat, meat caramelises on the outside while staying juicy inside. Dripping fat evaporates on the hot coals and gives your dish a light smoky flavour. On the other hand, you use a Shichirin outdoors, but you control the fire and get the taste of charcoal that an appliance with a cord cannot offer.
We were the first to bring the Shichirin to the Dutch market and the design of the YAKINIKU® Shichirin is ours. It is made of ceramic with quartz and cordierite, a mineral that withstands extreme heat and rapid temperature changes, and is fired at high temperature. As a charcoal grill, the Shichirin therefore reaches temperatures up to 1000°C. The glazed outside is weatherproof and can be cleaned with a damp cloth, so your Shichirin BBQ is ready on a cold winter day too. With table grills, material quality matters a great deal, because your grill sits right in the middle of your guests.
Round or rectangular Shichirin: choose based on your table
Which Shichirin grill suits you depends on the number of guests and on what you like to put on the grate most. If you want to buy a Shichirin for use at the table, measure your table first, because a Shichirin table BBQ sits right in the middle of your guests. If you need big barbecues with low and slow cooks for a large group, a Kamado is a better fit. The Shichirin is the charcoal barbecue for refined grilling with a small group.
Which YAKINIKU Shichirin models are there? You choose from a round Shichirin in MINI and MEDIUM and from a rectangular Shichirin in MEDIUM, MEDIUM PRO, LARGE and MEDIUM Black Edition. All models come with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic. The round MEDIUM (34.5 cm wide, 29 cm grate) suits 2 to 6 people and has a slightly domed grate for even heat distribution. The rectangular MEDIUM (35 x 17.5 cm grate, 2 to 6 people) is roomy enough for yakitori, and the LARGE is 55.5 cm wide with 40% more grilling surface for 4 to 8 people. The MINI (27 cm diameter, just over 7 kg) is the small format for a grilling evening for two.
The benefits of a round Shichirin show at the table: with a round table grill everyone sits equally close to the fire and turns their own skewers or pieces of fish.
The rectangular Shichirin, also known as a Konro grill, is built for yakitori. On the long grate you make authentic Japanese yakitori: chicken, meat, fish or vegetables on a stick, in a row side by side above the coals. The MEDIUM PRO also has a double walled design for optimal airflow, a removable ash pan and ceramic in two parts, which reduces the risk of breakage. If you are torn between the Black Edition and the Basic, the difference between the Shichirin Black Edition and the Shichirin Basic lies in the finish. The Basic has ceramic dimples, bamboo handles and adjustable air sliders, the Black Edition a smooth matte black lacquer and a simpler ventilation system.
Binchotan, Binchopan and accessories for your Shichirin
Which charcoal do you use on a Shichirin? On a Shichirin you use Binchotan charcoal. Binchotan is 96 to 98% carbon, gets hot up to 950°C and burns for 4 to 6 hours. It does not spit, which is exactly why it suits a table grill where your guests sit close to the fire. The low smoke keeps the flavour of your dishes pure, and thanks to the long burn time you hardly need to top up while grilling. Charcoals such as Marabu and Acacia are meant for the Kamado. You always use a Shichirin outdoors.
The easiest way to light Binchotan is with a Japanese lighting pan, the Binchopan. The pan has three parts: a base, a middle section and a lid. You stand the pieces of Binchotan upright in the middle section, put firelighters on the base and place the middle section on top. After 15 to 30 minutes the Binchotan glows and you fill your Shichirin, always with tongs or heat resistant gloves. After grilling, the Binchopan also serves as a snuffer: you fill the middle section with the glowing Binchotan and cut off the oxygen with the lid, so you can reuse the coals next time. In our guide to lighting Binchotan we walk through every step, so you have a stable fire on your very first evening.
Which accessories do you need for a Shichirin? For a complete grilling evening you need tweezers for turning, a fan to stoke the fire and a stainless steel grate. You get that grate as standard with all models. Is your grate due for replacement? You can also buy these grates separately. For yakitori you place yakitori bars on the grill, metal bars on which you let skewers of chicken, beef or tofu cook side by side above the fire. With the right Shichirin accessories within reach you no longer need to leave the table while grilling. If you grill often, add a cleaning kit, so the grate is quickly clean again after every evening.
Everything taken care of, from order to maintenance
If you order a Shichirin, charcoal or accessories on a working day before 2 PM, we ship your package the same day. You can pay afterwards, and all our Shichirin grills come with a lifetime warranty on the ceramic. For a grill that will stand on your terrace for years, that is the certainty you want.
Thanks to the glazed ceramic, fat and leftovers do not burn in. After cooling down you remove the ash and wipe the inside clean with a damp cloth or soft brush. In our guide you can read step by step how to clean your Shichirin, so it is ready for the next evening.
You use a Shichirin barbecue all year round, because the ceramic coating protects against rain and snow. Thanks to its compact size it is quickly set up as a compact barbecue and just as quickly stored away afterwards. Looking for inspiration for your grilling moments? Our Shichirin recipes are ready for yakitori, fish dishes and side dishes of roasted vegetables.
Your Shichirin is waiting for its first grilling evening
With a YAKINIKU® Shichirin you grill in a refined and sociable way: ceramic that reaches 1000°C, Binchotan that burns for 4 to 6 hours and a lifetime warranty on the ceramic, so you enjoy it for years. Choose the round Shichirin if everyone wants to sit close to the fire, or the rectangular one if yakitori takes the lead. Browse the range and order your Shichirin online. Orders placed on working days before 2 PM are shipped the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Shichirin?
A Shichirin is a traditional Japanese charcoal grill that has been used in Japanese cooking for centuries. The grill is compact and typically made from ceramic or diatomaceous earth, which provides excellent heat retention. This allows the Shichirin to reach very high temperatures using relatively little charcoal. In Japan, Shichirin grills are often used to prepare small cuts of meat, fish, and vegetables, commonly in the well-known Yakiniku style.
How does a Shichirin work?
A Shichirin works with charcoal and is known for its efficient heat distribution. The thick ceramic walls retain heat extremely well and spread it evenly across the grill. You fill the Shichirin with charcoal, light it, and place a grill grate on top. Because it can reach very high temperatures, it is perfect for quickly grilling meat, fish, and vegetables. Thanks to its compact design, a Shichirin is ideal for tabletop grilling or small outdoor spaces.
Which charcoal for a Shichirin?
Traditionally, Japanese binchotan charcoal is used for a Shichirin. This type of charcoal is known for its extremely high heat, long burning time, and clean combustion with very little smoke. Binchotan provides stable heat and allows the pure flavors of ingredients to stand out. High-quality white charcoal or hardwood charcoal can also be used, but for an authentic Japanese grilling experience, binchotan remains the best choice.
What is the easiest barbecue to use?
The easiest barbecue to use is a charcoal grill with a simple and compact design, such as a Shichirin. Because of its small size, the grill heats up quickly and is easy to control. With a small amount of charcoal, you can already reach high temperatures, allowing you to grill meat, fish, and vegetables quickly. A compact barbecue is also easy to light, simple to clean, and perfect for use in the garden, on a balcony, or directly on the table.