Japanese Konro Grill User Guide

This guide covers every Japanese konro grill in our range. It is organised in two parts: shared instructions that apply to all charcoal grills (safety, lighting binchotan, and finishing up), followed by instructions specific to each grill model.

Customers may request a printed copy of this user guide by emailing hello@mycookware.com.au.

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1. Before you start: safety essentials

These rules apply to every konro grill, regardless of model.

• Outdoors only. Use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Stable, heat-resistant surface. Place the grill on its wooden base board, and place both on a stable, heat-resistant surface. The bottom of the grill gets very hot during use and can mark or damage surfaces underneath — never use it on carpet, a tarp, a mat, or any flammable material.
• Do not move the grill while it is in use.
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.
• Use tongs and heat-resistant gloves or oven mitts. Every part of the grill becomes hot during use.
• Never use water to extinguish hot charcoal. See After grilling for the safe way to finish up.
• Charcoal quantity: one layer covering the bottom of the grill is the standard load. A second layer is fine, but do not overfill the grill — overloading causes overheating.
• Be careful not to drop the grill. Diatomite and clay grills are brittle.

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2. Lighting the binchotan

Binchotan is dense and takes longer to light than ordinary charcoal — allow about 45 minutes. Light it outside the grill using a charcoal chimney, then transfer the lit coals into the grill. The entire process must be done outdoors.

1. Place a grill mesh on the konro, then stand the chimney on top of the mesh. The chimney can also sit directly on concrete or bricks (it may leave marks). Make sure everything is stable.
2. Arrange the binchotan vertically inside the chimney. Break larger pieces to size if needed.
3. Place about six firelighter cubes at the bottom of the chimney — we recommend a natural product such as Samba natural wooden firelighters — and light them.
4. After 15 minutes, replace the firelighters. After another 15 minutes, turn the charcoal upside down. Replace the firelighters again if needed.
5. Place a grill mesh on top of the chimney to catch sparks and popping pieces.
6. Once the coals glow evenly, transfer them to the grill with tongs.

If you are using a charcoal starter pan instead, note it holds a small quantity of charcoal and cannot take a mesh on top, so keep a safe distance. For best results, heat it on a full-size outdoor gas burner or gas barbecue (not a small portable stove) for 15 minutes, then turn the charcoal over for another 15 minutes. An electric charcoal starter, or standing the chimney on a gas barbecue, also works well.

For more detail, see our comprehensive guide on lighting binchotan.

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3. Handling and storing binchotan

• Binchotan absorbs moisture. Damp charcoal can pop and throw off small pieces when lit — keep your distance and take extra care during lighting.
• If you hear cracking sounds from the charcoal, it has absorbed moisture and needs drying. Damp binchotan can be dried in the sun.
• Store charcoal in a cool, dry place, out of reach of children.

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4. After grilling: extinguishing and storage

1. Never pour water into or onto the grill. Water destroys diatomite and clay, and hot charcoal reacts violently with water.
2. Either let the coals burn out completely before discarding, or transfer them into a charcoal extinguishing pot such as the 2-in-1 chimney and extinguisher: place the coals inside, cover with the lid, and the lack of oxygen extinguishes them. Extinguished binchotan can be reused next time.
3. Let the grill cool completely before cleaning or storing.
4. Cleaning and storage differ by model — see your grill's section below.

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5. Kinka Okunoto Konro Grill (31cm and 54cm)

The Kinka Okunoto Konro is cut from natural diatomite (diatom mud) from the Noto Peninsula using traditional Okunoto techniques. It is designed for binchotan, and its core temperature can reach up to 1200 degrees, giving the high, consistent radiant heat that defines Japanese charcoal grilling.

Cracks are normal. Minor surface cracks typically appear within the first 1–5 uses — occasionally after the first — as the diatomite expands and contracts with heat. This is not a defect, and the grill remains safe to use. Only when, after years of service, cracks compromise the grill's structure has it reached the end of its life.

• Keep it dry. Humidity and water damage diatomite and cause cracking. Store indoors in a dry place. If the grill accidentally gets wet, let it dry completely before use or storage.
• Heat control: slide the air window open for more airflow and hotter coals (useful at the start), or shut it to reduce the heat.
• Cleaning: after the grill has cooled completely, wipe it with a damp cloth or paper towel. Never wash it with water.

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6. Mikawa Konro Grill (38cm and 27cm Portable)

The Mikawa Konro pairs a thick moulded diatomite interior with a steel outer case. A grill this size may use around 0.5kg of binchotan per barbecue. Some cosmetic imperfections, such as small chips inside the diatomite interior, are normal in manufacturing and do not affect how the grill performs.

• 38cm rectangular model: two bricks with holes sit inside. Lay them flat in each square, then place the charcoal on top. The space beneath the bricks connects to the adjustment valve, which controls airflow and heat during cooking.
• 27cm Portable (round) model: there are no bricks — place the charcoal directly on the charcoal grate. All other instructions apply.
• Keep it dry. As with all diatomite grills, humidity and water cause cracking. Store indoors in a dry place, and if the grill gets wet, dry it completely before use.
• Cleaning: the diatomite interior will discolour with use — this is normal. Never wash it with water. After the grill has cooled completely, wipe the exterior with a damp cloth.

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7. Ise Mizu Donabe Konro Grill

The Ise Mizu Donabe Konro uses a water jacket — an outer clay pot filled with water — as natural insulation. The set includes the clay main body, a diatomite trivet, a round mesh, and a wooden base.

Setting up:

1. Place the main body on the wooden base.
2. Pour water into the main body to a depth of about 2cm.
3. Place the diatomite trivet on top.
4. Light the binchotan in a chimney as described in Lighting the binchotan. The Japanese manual may suggest lighting the charcoal on the trivet over a stove top — this is not permitted in Australia and must never be done indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
5. Transfer the lit charcoal onto the trivet and cover with the round metal mesh.

The trivet and cracks: the diatomite trivet will eventually crack with regular use — this is normal, and you can keep using it as long as it holds together. Replacement trivets are available; expect to replace it every 1–2 years depending on use. This applies to the trivet only — if the clay grill body itself ever cracks, stop using the grill and contact us.

• Cleaning the body: the clay main body can be washed with water once it has fully cooled.
• Cleaning the trivet: never wash the trivet with water — diatomite absorbs water and will break apart. Brush it clean after it cools. Discolouration is normal.
• Storage: store indoors in a dry place. Moisture damages the diatomite trivet.

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8. Green Life Stainless Steel Konro Grill

The Green Life Konro is made of stainless steel, so it will not chip or crack, and unlike diatomite grills it can be fully washed. Its double air-layer construction limits how much heat transfers downwards to the table — but the grill itself still becomes very hot during use, so all the standard heat precautions apply.

Assembly and use:

1. The set includes four handles: two for the main body and two for the inner charcoal container. Fit the handles to both sides of each piece.
2. Place the metal plate inside the grill body.
3. Place the charcoal in the inner container and light it as described in Lighting the binchotan.
4. Lower the lit charcoal container into the grill, on top of the metal plate.
5. Place the grill mesh on top. The flip-up handles can hold the mesh at a raised level for gentler heat, and let you add charcoal without removing the mesh. Use the air vents to adjust the heat.

• Emptying ash: once everything has cooled, lift out the inner charcoal container to dispose of ash and spent charcoal in one step.
• Cleaning: all parts can be washed after cooling. Dry each piece completely after washing.
• Storage: store indoors — do not leave the grill or any of its parts outside.

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