Yaki Yaki San

Iga-yaki Earthenware grill: Made from the Special Ancient Clay from Iga, Japan

Collaboration of Earth, Water, and Fire

This grill is best enjoyed at table top as a communal style meal, so we suggest you have a table top portable butane burner to go with it.

• This uniquely designed Iga-yaki earthenware grill promotes the Far Infrared Rays (FIR– the same effect as how the glowing charcoal cook ingredients without direct flame) when the grill is heated with the flame of the stove. With this effect, the heat built in the grill reaches to the core of each ingredient fast and cooks like the charcoal grill.
• Because the earthenware grill is made of the naturally porous clay from Iga, Japan, the grill tends to retain the same heat level even right after ingredients are placed on the grill.
• The grill body is designed to work as a hearth, which also helps the heat to build slowly and prevents the grill from becoming too hot.
• By filling the outer reservoir with the water, it works as a drip pan, where the excess fat from the cooking can drain through the gaps of the slightly inclined grate. This system not only helps the healthier cooking, but also keeps the grease from draining directly over the flame.
  
• With the combination of FIR, heat-retention ability, and the work of outer reservoir, this earthenware grill can cook the ingredients to the desirable doneness while keeping the smoke release minimum.

1. Set the grill body (bottom part) over the gas stove top. Fill the outer reservoir with water about 80%. Set the top grill on the grill body.
2. Heat the grill for about 5 minutes over high heat. Turn the heat down to medium. The grill is ready to cook ingredients. Brush the grill top with oil to prevent certain ingredients from sticking if necessary.
3. When the water level of the reservoir becomes too low, fill with more water.

*In order to keep the grill top from burning with the residual marinade, etc., we suggest you wipe it with the wet paper towel as necessary.

True “Terroir” of Iga

Iga region, where this ceramic grill is made, used to be the bed of Lake Biwa about 4 million years ago. The clay from this region is naturally highly heat-resistant and has been used for open-flame cooking for many hundreds of years. This clay consists of a high level of pre-historic fossilized microorganisms that leave the clay porous when fired. The porous body gives the grill remarkable heat-retention ability. The grill gradually builds the heat when it’s heated, then it cools down very slowly after the heat is turned off. This, along with the glaze that promotes the far infrared rays (FIR – the same effect as how the glowing charcoal cook ingredients without direct flame) when it’s heated, allow the grill to produce a gentle, steady heat that penetrates to the core of each ingredient. The effect is ingredients are cooked evenly with all the flavors sealed inside.

Authentic Iga-yaki pottery by Nagatani-en

Iga-yaki (Iga-style) pottery is one of Japan’s most highly-regarded traditional ceramics and is said to have originated in Iga, Mie-Prefecture in the late 7th Century. This ceramic grill is made by Nagatani-en, a leading producer of authentic Iga-yaki pottery since 1832. At Nagatani-en, each product is made by hand. Nagatani-en’s Iga-yaki products have been loved by both professionals and home cooks in Japan.

All the donabe and Iga-yaki products made by Nagatani-en are hand-crafted with care, so every piece is unique and no two pieces are identical. There are slight variations within the color/ shade, shape/ curve, and patterns, among pieces, and that makes each piece so special. Also under different lighting and angle, the actual color shade and nuance may also appear slightly different from the photos in the product page.

• Size: 12.6” diameter x 4.1” high (32 cm diameter x 10.5 cm high)
• Weight: 9.3 lbs (4.2 kg)

Material: Clay
Producer: Nagatani-en
Origin: Iga, Japan
Included in the package: Grill base (ring), grill top, and English instruction sheet.

Usage and Care

• Ideal for gas stove top use. This product is not suitable for electric or induction cooktop.
• Hand wash only.

Domestic Orders

• Usually ships out in-stock items within 3 business days of order.
• We use FedEx, USPS Priority Mail, or USPS First Class Mail to ship our products, depending on the size and weight of the package.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.
• Free shipping with purchase of $375 or more! (Within Continental US only. Total purchase amount to qualify excludes free shipping offer items.)

International Orders

• Usually ship out in-stock within 5 business days of order.
• We use USPS Priority Mail International for international shipping.
• We do not accept any returns for international orders. Any additional charges (including but not limited to import tax, custom fees, VAT, brokerage charge) that might incur after the order lands in the destination country must be borne by the recipient.
• Read about the shipping information and terms in our Customer Service Page.