Life gets busy, and finding time for elaborate outdoor cooking isn’t always possible. For years, I struggled with wanting that grilled flavour without the hassle of a full-sized BBQ or the limitations of indoor stovetop cooking. The problem was simple: how do you achieve that authentic char and taste conveniently, especially when space is tight or you just need something quick? Not addressing this meant settling for less flavourful meals or missing out on casual grilling moments altogether.
When you’re craving grilled food but don’t have the space or desire for a large outdoor setup, a portable gas grill can be a game-changer. People seek these out for their convenience, smaller footprint, and often faster heat-up times compared to charcoal. The ideal customer for this type of grill is someone who lives in an apartment or condo with limited outdoor space, a camper or RVer, or anyone who hosts small gatherings and wants an easy way to grill. It’s also perfect for those who enjoy specific styles of cooking like Japanese yakiniku or yakitori, which often benefit from a more intimate, tabletop grilling experience.
Who might not be the best fit? If you regularly host large parties (say, more than 4-6 people) and need to cook large quantities simultaneously, a small portable grill likely won’t cut it, and you’d be better off with a standard-sized BBQ. Similarly, if you’re a die-hard charcoal grilling purist who lives by the low-and-slow method and smoky flavour profile, a gas grill, even a portable one, won’t replicate that experience. Before buying, consider the size of your cooking space, how many people you typically cook for, what type of food you’ll grill most often, the fuel source (butane or propane adapter needed?), and importantly, ventilation requirements, as not all portable grills are truly “smokeless.” Also, think about ease of cleaning and storage.
An Overview of the Product
The Iwatani Portable Gas Grill BBQ Stove ABURIYA2 CB-ABR-2, Black is a compact tabletop gas grill designed to bring a specific style of grilling, often associated with Japanese izakayas or yakiniku restaurants, right to your home. It promises a convenient and quick way to grill smaller items like skewers, thin meats, and vegetables, providing that sought-after grilled taste and char. When you purchase it, you typically receive the main unit, which includes the steel body with a powder coating finish, a stainless steel grill net, skewer stays, a U-shaped burner, a tray receiving tray (water tray) with enamel coating, and an ABS resin instrument sewing knob.
This specific ABURIYA2 model is designed primarily for use with standard butane canisters, though adapters exist for propane (use with caution, as noted by some users). Compared to larger, more conventional portable grills, it’s much smaller and lighter, focusing on direct heat over a relatively small cooking surface, making it distinct from, say, a Weber Q series grill which offers a larger grate.
Here are some pros and cons based on extended use:
Pros:
* Extremely portable and lightweight (around 2.4 kg).
* Heats up very quickly.
* Achieves high heat ideal for searing and charring.
* Simple and reliable piezoelectric ignition.
* Magnet-type canister detachment is very convenient.
* Components like the grill net and water tray are removable for cleaning.
* Compact size is perfect for small spaces or tabletop use.
Cons:
* Cleaning the grill net can be challenging.
* Produces smoke, requiring good ventilation (definitely not smokeless).
* Heat distribution is concentrated directly over the burner.
* The skewer stays are not ideal for rotating skewers easily.
* Doesn’t come with a carrying case or bag.
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Key Characteristics and Benefits
Having used the Iwatani Portable Gas Grill BBQ Stove ABURIYA2 CB-ABR-2, Black for quite some time now, I’ve really gotten a feel for its core strengths and how they translate into practical benefits in everyday use. Let’s dive into the features that stand out.
Compact and Lightweight Design
Right off the bat, one of the most obvious and impactful features of the Iwatani ABURIYA2 is its size and weight. Measuring 8.43″D x 16.1″W x 5.16″H and weighing in at just about 2.4 kg (or 2.5 kg as listed in some specs), this is genuinely portable. You can easily pick it up with one hand.
* How it performs/feels: Setting this portable grill up is a breeze. Take it out of the box, pop in a butane canister, and you’re ready to go. It fits comfortably on a small balcony table, a picnic bench, or even a sturdy indoor surface (with proper ventilation, of course). Moving it around, whether from storage to cooking spot or packing it up for a trip, is absolutely effortless due to its low weight.
* Why this feature is important: The benefit here is immense convenience and versatility. Its small footprint means it doesn’t take up much precious space, making it perfect for apartment dwellers or those with limited outdoor areas. The lightweight nature means you’re actually *likely* to use it spontaneously – a quick weeknight steak, some grilled veggies, or a weekend yakitori session becomes feasible without any heavy lifting or setup. This portability directly solves the problem of wanting quick, grilled meals without the fuss of larger equipment.
Quick Heating and High Temperature Output
Another impressive aspect of the ABURIYA2 is how quickly it gets hot and the intensity of that heat. It features a U-shaped burner designed to direct heat efficiently upwards towards the grill net.
* How it performs/feels: From the moment you click the igniter, the heat starts building rapidly. Within just a few minutes, the grill net is searing hot. You can actually feel the intense radiant heat emanating from the unit. The U-burner design creates hot zones directly above it, allowing you to achieve a good char and quick cook times on items placed there. While the center isn’t as hot, the areas over the burner are intensely effective.
* Why this feature is important: For grilling styles like yakiniku or yakitori, high, direct heat is essential for quickly searing the exterior of meat and vegetables while keeping the inside juicy. This rapid heat-up means less waiting around and more time cooking and eating. The ability to get a good char adds that desirable smoky flavour and texture that stovetop cooking just can’t replicate. It solves the problem of trying to get a good sear on thinner cuts of meat quickly and efficiently.
Designed for Specific Grilling Styles (Yakiniku, Yakitori)
The core design of the Iwatani grill, from its compact size to the included skewer stays, is clearly tailored towards specific types of Japanese grilling.
* How it performs/feels: Using this unit for thinly sliced marinated meats (yakiniku) or skewered items (yakitori) feels intuitive and authentic. The relatively small grilling surface encourages cooking in batches, much like you would in a traditional setting. The skewer stays, while having some usability limitations (more on that later), hold skewers above the main grate, allowing for a slightly different cooking method. The height of the burner relative to the grate is optimized for these smaller, quicker-cooking items.
* Why this feature is important: If you specifically love these styles of grilling, the ABURIYA2 CB-ABR-2 provides an excellent platform to recreate those experiences at home. It’s not trying to be a do-it-all BBQ; it excels at what it’s designed for. This focus means you get a tool that performs exceptionally well for its intended purpose, delivering results that satisfy cravings for these specific cuisines.
Simple and Safe Operation
Operating the Iwatani Portable Gas Grill is remarkably simple and incorporates key safety features. It uses a piezoelectric ignition system and a pressure-sensitive safety device.
* How it performs/feels: Igniting the grill is as easy as turning the knob and pressing the igniter button – usually, it lights on the first click. Changing butane canisters is equally simple thanks to the magnetic connection system; you just line up the canister and it clicks into place securely. The pressure-sensitive safety device provides peace of mind, designed to automatically shut off the gas flow if internal pressure builds up unsafely.
* Why this feature is important: Ease of use encourages more frequent use. Not having to fuss with lighters or complex setups makes this grill appealing for casual, spontaneous grilling. The safety device is crucial, particularly for a product used in potentially less controlled environments like tabletops or small balconies. It helps mitigate risks associated with portable gas appliances, addressing potential complications if gas flow isn’t properly managed.
Durable Construction and Materials
The Iwatani ABURIYA2 is constructed with a combination of steel, stainless steel, and enamel-coated parts, suggesting decent durability for its class. The body is steel with a powder coating, the grill net is stainless steel, and the water tray is steel with enamel coating.
* How it performs/feels: The unit feels sturdy for its size, not flimsy. The materials used are standard for grills and designed to withstand heat. The stainless steel grate holds up well to high temperatures, though cleaning can be a challenge as mentioned in the cons. The enamel coating on the water tray makes wiping out grease and water relatively easy *from that specific part*.
* Why this feature is important: Using appropriate, heat-resistant materials ensures the longevity of the product. Knowing that key components like the grill net are stainless steel means they are less likely to rust quickly if cared for properly. While not designed for heavy-duty, commercial use, the choice of materials indicates it’s built to withstand regular home grilling sessions, providing value over time. The corrosion-resistant feature noted in the product description further reinforces this aspect of durability.
The Water Tray System
A key part of the Iwatani stove‘s design is the tray below the burner, which is intended to be filled with water.
* How it performs/feels: You fill the enamel-coated tray with water before lighting the grill. As grease and drippings fall from the food, they land in the water instead of directly on a hot surface. This helps reduce flare-ups and makes initial cleanup of *that tray* easier. However, it doesn’t prevent smoke entirely, as drippings hitting the hot burner or parts of the grill net still vaporize and smoke. You also need to monitor the water level during longer cooking sessions, as it can evaporate relatively quickly under high heat.
* Why this feature is important: The water tray serves multiple purposes. It significantly reduces dangerous flare-ups, which is particularly important in a compact or indoor-adjacent setting. By catching some of the drippings, it simplifies the cleanup of the base unit itself. While it doesn’t make the grill smokeless, it manages grease effectively, contributing to a safer and slightly cleaner cooking experience compared to grills where fat falls directly onto a hot plate or burner cover.
Ventilation is Key (Addressing the Smoke)
Despite sometimes being perceived as low-smoke due to the water tray, it’s crucial to understand that this grill *does* produce smoke, especially when cooking fatty foods.
* How it performs/feels: Whenever fat renders and drips onto the hot U-burner or parts of the grill net, smoke will be generated. The amount of smoke depends heavily on what you’re cooking and the heat level. Cooking marinated meats or fattier cuts will inevitably create noticeable smoke.
* Why this is important (and a potential drawback): This isn’t a smokeless indoor appliance. It’s a portable gas grill. The benefit is getting genuine grilled flavour and char. However, the drawback is that it absolutely requires good ventilation. Using it indoors without an extremely powerful vent hood or open windows is not advisable and could set off smoke alarms or fill your home with cooking odours. This limitation is important for potential buyers to understand; it functions best in a well-ventilated area, ideally outdoors, on a balcony, or near a wide-open window with a fan.
Skewer Stays – A Mixed Bag
The included skewer stays are a feature specifically for grilling items on skewers.
* How it performs/feels: There are notches along the top edge of the grill body designed to hold skewers. While they do keep skewers elevated, allowing them to cook, the spacing and design make it difficult to rotate the skewers easily to ensure even cooking on all sides. You often have to lift and reposition the skewers manually. Some users find them less effective than simply placing skewers directly on the grill net alongside other items.
* Why this feature is important: The intention behind the skewer stays is to provide a dedicated space for popular grilled items like yakitori. While they serve their basic purpose, the usability isn’t perfect. This highlights that while the Iwatani Portable Gas Grill is great for its primary function (grilling on the net), some auxiliary features might not be as polished as the main cooking surface.
Cleaning Challenges
While some parts are easy to clean, the grill net itself can be quite stubborn.
* How it performs/feels: The stainless steel grill net, after being subjected to high heat and drippings, often develops stubborn cooked-on residue. Standard scrubbing can be difficult, and it’s challenging to get it looking spotless again. Similarly, parts of the burner or the area just below the net can accumulate grease that isn’t caught by the water tray, requiring focused cleaning efforts.
* Why this is important (and a key disadvantage): Ease of cleaning is a significant factor in how often a portable appliance is used. The difficulty in cleaning the grill net is a notable drawback. It means more time and effort post-meal, which can detract from the convenience factor. While the removable components help, managing the cooked-on mess on the grate requires patience and potentially specialized cleaning methods.
Overall, the Iwatani Portable Gas Grill BBQ Stove ABURIYA2 CB-ABR-2, Black excels in its core function: providing quick, high-heat grilling in a compact, portable format, particularly well-suited for specific culinary styles. While features like portability and rapid heating are major benefits, potential buyers should be aware of the need for ventilation and the challenges associated with cleaning.
Community Feedback
Looking at feedback from other users online, the sentiment is generally very positive, echoing many of my own experiences. Many reviewers are thrilled with the Iwatani grill‘s portability and how quickly it heats up, achieving excellent results for smaller grilling tasks like searing meats. People appreciate its simple operation and sturdy construction. Common points raised, aligning with my observations, include the fact that it definitely produces smoke and requires good ventilation, and that cleaning the grill grate can be quite challenging. Some users also noted the limited utility of the included skewer holders and expressed a wish for accessories like a carrying case.
Concluding Thoughts
In summary, if you’ve been struggling to get that perfect grilled char and flavour from your limited living space or during casual outings, a portable gas grill is the solution you need. Not addressing this means missing out on delicious meals and convenient cooking opportunities. The Iwatani Portable Gas Grill BBQ Stove ABURIYA2 CB-ABR-2, Black stands out as a fantastic option for solving this problem. Its key strengths lie in its incredible portability, rapid heating capabilities, and effectiveness for specific, high-heat grilling styles. While you’ll need to ensure adequate ventilation due to smoke and be prepared for some effort cleaning the grill net, the results it delivers are well worth it for fans of quick, charred, grilled food. If you’re ready to bring that authentic grilling experience home or on the go, Click here to check the product out.
Last update on 2025-09-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API