Lodge Logic Pre-Seasoned Sportsman's Charcoal Grill

I love using the Sportman's Grill. It gets hot fast and temperature control is easy with the damper and two-position grate. I keep mine seasoned with pam and keep the water out by covering it with an old cookie sheet while it cools down.

This grill is definitely for hardcore charcoal users. I can see where less experienced grillers might not be able to get good results. If you need a thermometer to cook a steak, this is not your grill. If you cam measure temperature by how long you can hold your bare hand over the coals, this grill is for you.

I only gave it four stars because I don't find it very easy to clean out. All of the loose parts have to be removed (grill, charcoal grate, damper door, and the front door) to get all the ash out. Also, I find the carrying handle is nearly useless. The grill is unbalanced so that if you try to pick it up with all of the aformentioned parts attached, it tips over and all the parts end up on the ground. Be careful.

This is a really nice hibachi - very functional, easy to clean, holds heat & great for searing. The only downside is Lodge's unfortunate decision to cast their logo smack dab in the middle or the grilling surface. This creates a rather large medallion in the middle of the work area. Lay a large steak on it and you'll have an area that is a solid sear and lacking grill marks - not to mention uneven cooking relative to the rest of the area. If you don't need the area you can always manage your work to either side. I have found myself cutting a large sirloin in half to avoid the need to use the center area as cooking temperature is not as even on the logo as it is over the rest of the cooking area. Whoever in design or marketing thought of this logo placement should be coached on practical use of cooking equipment - obviously they are not well schooled in grilling. Really spoils an otherwise great product.

I needed a small patio grill for just a couple of people. I also wanted a grill that would start up fast and use less charcoal than my full sized grill. This Heavy weight Hibachi is awesome and built to last! I seldom ever use the full sized grill now. There is plenty of room to put a couple of big steaks on here and the cast iron grid is easy to clean. It will also hold quite a few Chicken or steak sates' without burning the wooden skewers as they can hang over the edge.

We were very pleased with the quality of the grill and the speedy delivery. Free shipping was a definite plus also.

Pros:

1) Beautiful sear marks and flavour
2) Preseasoned, so it's easy care, just wipe down with an oily paper towel, and remember to cleanup the ash after use.
3) Simple effective no-frills design.
4) Can be used as an outdoor firepit.
5) Sturdily built.

6) The oval shape is much more space-efficient than the round one:

a) for finding somewhere to put it,
b) the cooking surface - you can fit 6 burger patties on this, flank steak, a full rack of ribs, good sized slab of salmon...(not all at once!) plus two or three medium potatoes wrapped in foil next to the coals. You can cook for 2-6 pple.
c) in arranging the coals for the right type of heat for what you want to cook.


Cons:
1) No lid -- For a lid, I would suggest the Cajun Classic brand cast-iron oval dutchoven flipped upside down.
2) Matching oval-shaped Lodge cast-iron Dutch oven is discontinued (could be used as lid, griddle and dutch oven).
3) It is heavy
4) It is ugly
5) Design too basic? Could be made more user friendly with height-adjust option during cooking. Currently, you have to flip the grill over to change height.
You have to really know your coals. Not very charcoal-phob friendly.
6) Limited use:

a) Cast Iron retains heat and cools slowly, so not very pratical for anything where you might have to move it before it cools.
b) Needs to be baby-ed: water + ash = lye, which will eat away at the cast iron bottom causing rust. So no open grilling in a snowstorm, during unstable weather, or leaving out overnight to cool. You have to go back out when it cools to put it under some sort of cover.

Needful accessories:
1) Oval dutch oven to be flipped upside down and used as a lid.
2) Chimney starter.
3) dutch oven lifter which can we used to lift the grill grate and adjust the height while grate is still hot.
4) alternately a pair of heat resistant gloves.
5) 2 pairs of heat resistant tongs, one for fiddling with the coals/ash and another for cooking with.
6) The nylon cover to help protect it from weather (better than nothing, but a garage or shed is best).

Conclusion:
Love it for its efficient size and shape, great sear marks and flavour. Hate it for when the sky threatens to snow/rain.


Precaution for those who live on the shore:
I live by the shore and have salt water mist roll in overnight. I MUST move it into the shed, as moisture/mist/condensation will collect even under the protective covering. Also, a well oiled and cleaned grate will rust in the salt mist if left out overnight.