They use of ceramic for this Hibachi Grill serves to help with issue of using the special Binchotan coal that burns really hot (used in Japanese BBQ) but there is an element of fragility with the ceramic. The grill actually arrived and was delivered and there was cracked pieces of the grill loose in the box upon unpacking this grill. I was disappointed with the sturdiness of the grill considering how expensive these grills are, and would think twice before buying another one. The perfect grill would incorporate the ceramic, but also figure out a way to make the ceramic not so fragile or brittle. I like the wire grate surface for cooking since food doesn’t stick to it as much as other grates.