Marsh Allen 30052AMZ Cast Iron Hibachi Charcoal Grill Review/Quick look

The Marsh Allen Cast Iron Hibachi Grill was on sales and I paid $35 to ship to my door. It is not a very expensive grill. The online pictures looks good, and cast iron sounds great, so I pull the trigger and get one. Came home this afternoon and surprised it has arrived. It took me about 20 minutes to put it all together (yeaha...sounds slow, I was taking my time to try to get is all right....). Anyway, let's take a quick look and get a first impression for the good and bad.

Overall the grill looks good and solid

 Little workmanship problems are annoying

Good:

1. The grill is good size (10 x18in) for table top uses and that is the main purpose for us. It is for a patio table top for summer dinner or party.
2. Looking good. Really it looks very good when I put it on the table top.
3. The cast iron build is making the grill seems very solid and stable. Yes, I have added little shims to the foots to make it stand without wobbling but that is simple.
4. Able to adjust the height of the grill surface is a big plus. I am surprised not a lot of grill offer this feature. That is one of the main reasons I go with this grill.
5. Inexpensive. I would expect a lot more if the grill is priced too high. But with this price, I feel like I am getting a lot of it. 

Bad:

1. The grill size is small. It is really not for cooking a whole meal for a party.
2. Little workmanship problems here and there. Bad quality control. Annoying. Simple DIY improvement is needed.
3. As the grill is entirely made of cast iron, it could be a bad idea for leave it outdoor all the time. Moisture and rain will make it rust fast. Could mean a lot of work and the grill is not that light to move around easily especially when it is greasy and messy after used. 
4. Wood handle is a good and bad things. Without using it for long time just by the look of the material I am pretty sure it will not last long. It is made of pine or some kind of softwood/ That mean it will rot and burn by the grill fast. I am not sure how long it can hold up. Although, it can be easily replaced if you are handy.
5. Not little kid friendly. The grill could be a hazardous if you have little kids around. The coal holding pan is shallow and oils dripped on hot coal could splash fire out everywhere. Defiantly keep young children away from it when use. Always use protective glove when handling it. The cast iron could get super hot. Think how they brand the cattle.... 

My two cents:

With all the little bit here and there workmanship problems, I think overall the grill is Ok especially consider the price. I have no plan to make any modification. The only thing I will do is to put a little  shim to the foots to make it even on the table. My kids are old enough that they can take care themselves so the grill on table post very little dangerous. Well... I can imagine using it out in the backyard table with the family for a fun summer dinner. A sip of cold beer with some yummy grill meats with some good friends, life is not so bad sometime. hahaha keep building up that mental picture %-D


Some funny side note:
I just read an article about " Singer Ariana Grande's new tattoo "七輪" means Japanese style bbq grill, not 7 rings,"Google 七輪, or "SHICHIRIN." -> Japanese little Grill. Ariana Grande's then twitted "Also.... huge fan of tiny bbq grills." hahaha.. nice one. Who didn't like tiny bbq grills. That is the whole idea why we got this one for the party. Sorry Ariana, it's all good fun, me and the family are fans. No hard feeling you are fine.