Guides

The hibachi grill, a compact and efficient cooking tool, is a favorite among BBQ enthusiasts for its portability and ability to deliver delicious, flavorful meals. However, the type of charcoal you use can significantly impact your grilling experience. Here are the five best charcoal options for your hibachi grill, each offering unique benefits to elevate your BBQ game.

1. Binchotan Charcoal

Pros:

• Long-lasting burn
• High, steady heat
• Minimal smoke and odor

Cons:

• Expensive
• Harder to light

Binchotan charcoal, a traditional Japanese charcoal, is renowned for its exceptional quality. Made from oak, it provides a long-lasting, clean burn with minimal smoke, making it ideal for hibachi grilling. While it’s on the pricier side and can be challenging to light, its consistent heat output and ability to enhance the natural flavors of your food make it a top choice for serious grillers.

1. Lump Charcoal

Pros:

• Natural wood flavor
• Burns hot and fast
• Minimal additives

Cons:

• Inconsistent sizes
• Burns quicker than briquettes

Lump charcoal is a favorite among purists who appreciate its natural wood flavor and lack of additives. Made from hardwood, it burns hotter and faster than briquettes, providing a sought-after sear on your meats. However, the inconsistent sizes can sometimes make it difficult to maintain an even temperature, and it tends to burn out quicker, requiring more frequent refueling.

1. Coconut Shell Charcoal

Pros:

• Eco-friendly
• Long-lasting burn
• Produces little ash

Cons:

• It may be harder to find
• It can be more expensive

Coconut shell charcoal is an eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood-based charcoals. It offers a long-lasting burn with consistent heat and produces very little ash, making cleanup a breeze. Additionally, it imparts a subtle, pleasant flavor to your food. While it can be slightly more expensive and more complicated to find, its environmental benefits and performance make it a worthy option for hibachi grilling.

1. Charcoal Briquettes

Pros:

• Consistent size and shape
• Easy to light
• Burns evenly

Cons:

• Contains additives
• Produces more ash

Charcoal briquettes are a convenient and reliable choice for hibachi grills. Their uniform size and shape ensure a steady and even burn, making temperature control more accessible. They are also easier to light compared to lump charcoal and Binchotan. However, they often contain additives that can affect the flavor of your food and produce more ash, requiring more frequent cleaning.

1. Quebracho Blanco Charcoal

Pros:

• Very dense and long-lasting
• High, steady heat
• Distinctive flavor

Cons:

• It can be more expensive
• It may take longer to light

Quebracho Blanco, also known as the “axe breaker,” is a South American hardwood charcoal known for its density and long-lasting burn. It provides a high, steady heat ideal for hibachi grilling and imparts a distinctive, robust flavor to your food. While it can be more expensive and take longer to light, its performance and flavor make it a top-tier choice for grilling enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Choosing the charcoal for your hibachi grill can significantly enhance your grilling experience. Whether you opt for the premium Binchotan, the natural Lump Charcoal, the eco-friendly Coconut Shell Charcoal, the convenient Charcoal Briquettes, or the robust Quebracho Blanco, each option offers unique benefits to suit different grilling styles and preferences. Happy grilling!

As a BBQ enthusiast, one of the most common questions is, “How much pulled pork do you need per person?”

Whether planning a family gathering, a backyard BBQ, or a significant event, getting the quantity right ensures everyone is satisfied with only a few leftovers.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you plan the perfect amount of pulled pork for your next event.

Understanding Portion Sizes

When serving pulled pork, the general rule is to plan for about 1/3 to 1/2 pounds of cooked pulled pork per person. This amount accounts for the average appetite and allows for some flexibility depending on the type of event and the side dishes you plan to serve.

1. For Smaller Appetites (1/3 pound per person):
   • It is ideal for events with multiple main dishes or an extensive spread of sides.
   • This portion size works well for lunch gatherings or events where guests are likely to eat less, such as a light afternoon BBQ.
2. For Heartier Appetites (1/2 pound per person):
   • Perfect for dinner parties or BBQs where pulled pork is the meal’s star.
   • Suitable for events with fewer side dishes or for guests known to enjoy larger servings.

Calculating Raw Pork Butt

It’s essential to remember that pork butt, the cut commonly used for pulled pork, will lose about 30-40% of its weight during cooking due to fat rendering and moisture loss. Therefore, to determine how much raw pork butt you need, you should adjust for this weight loss.

• For 1/3 pound of cooked pork per person:
  • You need approximately 1/2 pound of raw pork butt per person.
• For 1/2 pound of cooked pork per person:
  • You need approximately 3/4 pounds of raw pork butt per person.

Practical Examples

Let’s break this down with some practical examples to make it more transparent:

1. For a Party of 10 People:
   • With Smaller Appetites (1/3 pound cooked per person):
     • Total cooked pork needed: 10 people x 1/3 pound = 3.33 pounds
     • Total raw pork butt needed: 3.33 pounds / 0.6 (accounting for 40% loss) ≈ 5.5 pounds
   • With Heartier Appetites (1/2 pound cooked per person):
     • Total cooked pork needed: 10 people x 1/2 pound = 5 pounds
     • Total raw pork butt needed: 5 pounds / 0.6 (accounting for 40% loss) ≈ 8.3 pounds
2. For a Larger Event of 50 People:
   • With Smaller Appetites (1/3 pound cooked per person):
     • Total cooked pork needed: 50 people x 1/3 pound = 16.67 pounds
     • Total raw pork butt needed: 16.67 pounds / 0.6 (accounting for 40% loss) ≈ 27.8 pounds
   • With Heartier Appetites (1/2 pound cooked per person):
     • Total cooked pork needed: 50 people x 1/2 pound = 25 pounds
     • Total raw pork butt needed: 25 pounds / 0.6 (accounting for 40% loss) ≈ 41.7 pounds

Additional Tips

1. Consider Your Crowd: Adjust portions based on your guests. If you’re serving a crowd of teenagers or particularly hungry adults, lean towards the higher end of the portion scale.
2. Side Dishes Matter: The more sides you serve, the less pulled pork you might need per person. Beans, coleslaw, cornbread, and salads can fill and reduce the amount of meat each person eats.
3. Leftovers Are a Bonus: If you end up with extra pulled pork, it freezes well and can be used for sandwiches, tacos, or added to various recipes later on.
4. Buffet vs. Plated: People tend to take more food in a buffet setting, so plan for the higher end of the portion range.

Following these guidelines ensures you have the right amount of delicious pulled pork to keep your guests happy and well-fed. Happy BBQing!