Kinka Okunoto Konro & Hibachi Grill Starter Set - 31cm (Small)
Kinka Okunoto Konro & Hibachi Grill Starter Set - 31cm (Small)
The Kinka Okunoto is the benchmark konro in our range, hand-cut from a single block of Noto diatomite — one of the best natural insulators there is. Its 5cm walls hold the heat in, so binchotan burns hotter: the reason chefs say everything tastes better off a konro.
The 31cm suits two to six people: the fire chamber is about 22 x 14cm, room for five or six skewers at a time, and at 7.5kg it carries easily to a balcony table. A session takes about 600g of binchotan — the set's 2kg is about three sessions — 30–45 minutes to light, then three to four hours of steady heat; leftovers can be extinguished and reused.
Made in Japan, it is the grill used by professional chefs and on Australian cooking shows. Also available as a 54cm starter set, or as the grill only.
What's Included
- 1 x Kinka Okunoto Konro & Hibachi Grill - 31cm (Small)
- 2 x Reusable Grill Mesh (27 x 21cm)
- 1 x Premium Tosa Binchotan Quarter Cut (2kg)
- 2 x Echo Stainless Steel Skewer Packs (10 skewers total)
Key Features
- Complete Grilling Package: Includes the grill, two cooking meshes, binchotan charcoal and yakitori skewers.
- Authentic Okunoto Diatomite Grill: Features the hand-cut 31cm Kinka grill, offering the highest heat retention in our konro range.
- Binchotan Included: Comes with 2kg of Japanese white charcoal to get you started — refills and regional varieties are available in our binchotan collection.
Which konro should I buy? The differences at a glance
| Kinka 31 | Kinka 54 | Mikawa 38 | Green Life | |
| Heat | Highest | Highest | High | Lower |
| Body | Solid diatomite | Solid diatomite | Moulded diatomite | Steel |
| Chamber (cm) | 22 x 14 | 43 x 15 | 2 x 13 x 13 | 25 x 11 |
| Divider | No | No | Yes | No |
| Skewers | 5–6 | 12 | 9 | 9 |
| People | 2–6 | 4–8 | 4–6 | 4–6 |
| Charcoal | 600g | 1.2kg | 800g | 700g |
| Weight | 7.5kg | 11kg | 6.7kg | 4kg |
| Lifespan | 10+ yrs | 10+ yrs | Years | Won't crack |
| Price | $$$ | $$$ | $$ | $ |
Deciding between 31cm and 54cm? Read our sizing guide.
What binchotan and tools does the 31cm Kinka need?
The 31cm Kinka takes about 600g of binchotan a session — fill its fire chamber no more than two-thirds deep. The set's 2kg bag of Tosa binchotan is about three sessions, and leftovers can be extinguished and lit again. For refills, see the full binchotan range by region and cut.
Then, in the order you will use them:
- Wooden base board — sits under the grill to protect the table.
- Natural firelighters — six to eight cubes at the bottom of the chimney.
- Charcoal chimney — light the binchotan in it, away from the grill; allow 30–45 minutes.
- Chimney mesh (included) — use the set's second mesh for the chimney: lay it over the top to stop popping charcoal and sparks flying out.
- Long charcoal tongs — move the glowing charcoal into the grill at arm's length; the wooden handles stay cool in the hand.
- Extinguishing pot — puts the fire out and saves the leftover charcoal; the 2-in-1 chimney doubles as one.
For the full method, with video, read How to Safely Light Binchotan Charcoal.
How is the 31cm Kinka starter set shipped?
- Packed for a brittle block. Diatomite does not flex, so the box has to take the knock: the grill is double-boxed with thick padding, and the charcoal, meshes and skewers travel in the same parcel. See how we pack your parcel.
- Insured in transit. If the box arrives damaged, photograph it before unpacking further and email us straight away — we replace it.
- Sent from Sydney within 1–2 business days by Australia Post; Express Post is available at checkout.
- Free shipping over $99 in NSW or $149 elsewhere in Australia — the set qualifies on its own. Rates and delivery times are in our shipping & delivery policy.
Important Notes
- Outdoor use only, in a well-ventilated space.
- Fine cracks are normal. Diatomite expands and contracts with heat, so hairline cracks appear within the first few uses and do not affect performance — see our guide to cracks and the lifecycle of a konro.
- No change-of-mind returns. Diatomite grills are delicate, so please choose carefully.
About Kinka
Kinka is a Noto maker of diatomite konro, cutting and finishing each grill by hand from solid blocks quarried in the Okunoto region. Its cut-from-block grills are the type Japanese restaurants use.
Specifications
| Brand | Kinka |
| Model | BQ8F |
| Set Includes | 1 x Grill, 2 x Meshes, 2kg Binchotan, 10 x Skewers |
| Dimensions | Approx. 31 x 23 x 21 cm |
| Fire Chamber (L x W x D) | Approx. 22 x 14 x 11 cm |
| Wall Thickness | Approx. 5 cm |
| Charcoal per Session | Approx. 600 g |
| Weight | Approx. 7.5 kg (grill only) |
| Serving Size | Approx. 2–6 people |
| Material | Body: Diatomite Frame: Steel Mesh: Stainless Steel |
| Country of Origin | Grill: Made in Japan Charcoal: Made in Japan Mesh: Made in China |
