grills and boats

[sme5]

hello everyone i am new to the boating thing and trying not to get to deep in this to start. looking for alternatives to buying a 250 dollar grill for grilling while on the water. anyone use a small propane grill and make a mount for it. are there any problems with this alternative or any other ideas. feed back greatly appreciated.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: grills and boats

They make grills for boats, but you wouldn't catch me with one. It's a gas thing with me and lighting a grill on or near my boat just isn't gonna happen. West Marine does have grills for boaters, good luck.

 

[moosehead]

Re: grills and boats

Given the safety concerns, it is critical to have a robust mount that ideally puts the grill in a smart location and also has a decent release mechanism. Yes, the nautical grills are expensive, but ours is worth it to have safe, convenient, and tasty bbq aboard. They tend to be compact, well designed, and offer numerous mount alternatives. Ours also cools down, cleans, and stows easily.

Worth it? Yep.

 

[agallant80]

Re: grills and boats

I have one of the magma grills. It mounts on the soide of my boat (they make many mounting options for them). I would not recommend modifying an existing grill. Just do what I did and bite the bullet and buy the proper grill for a boat. You will be more happy in the long run.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: grills and boats

I never leave home with out it.

 

[lncoop]

Re: grills and boats

I also have a Magma. I forget which one exactly, but it's a stow and go style. I bought it and the mounting brackets for less than $200. I agree with everyone else that southern engineering something is asking for trouble.

 

[shrew]

Re: grills and boats

Marine grills have are made of stainless steel and are designed to prevent grease and stuff from dripping onto the boat. They are also designed with a mounting system. regular portable camping grills have none of this.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: grills and boats

Given the safety concerns, it is critical to have a robust mount that ideally puts the grill in a smart location and also has a decent release mechanism. Yes, the nautical grills are expensive, but ours is worth it to have safe, convenient, and tasty bbq aboard. They tend to be compact, well designed, and offer numerous mount alternatives. Ours also cools down, cleans, and stows easily.

Worth it? Yep.

I have the same grill (mounted in the same place too...) and it's been working great for 8 years. I would not hesitate to buy another and think the OP should strongly consider choosing another way to save money. Check Craigslist for used marine grills, they are often for sale on there.

 

[The Great Escape II]

Re: grills and boats

Probably the best NON safety purchase I made for the boat. We use it every time we are out.

 

[moosehead]

Re: grills and boats

The other cool deal with these nautical grills, is they actually cook well despite being small. Temp control, the hinged/vented lid, and solid design work well. So long as you aren't doing say ears of corn, you can grill for 6+ people on Magma's smallest grillset.

 

[calvinator]

Re: grills and boats

I have a rail mounted grill on my pontoon. HATE IT! The grill works fine, I just hate packing up all the food, condiments, utensils, and then having to cook it all and clean up. Big waste of boat time for us.

We just pack some sandwichs, kids buy some chips 'n drinks at the marina, and then we eat if/when we are hungry and everyone can eat at their own schedule.

Oh yeah, and last time we were anchored and grilling we were too close to the speedboat zone. Some wakes bounced us around and 4 hot dogs rolled off the grill ! hahaha

 

[bekosh]

Re: grills and boats

I've been using a Coleman Roadtrip Party grill for 5-6 years. Just set it up on the swim platform and it's good to go. The cooking surface is starting to get a little ratty so I may be due for a new one in another year or so.

 

[possum2082]

Re: grills and boats

hello everyone i am new to the boating thing and trying not to get to deep in this to start. looking for alternatives to buying a 250 dollar grill for grilling while on the water. anyone use a small propane grill and make a mount for it. are there any problems with this alternative or any other ideas. feed back greatly appreciated.

i just find a nice quiet cove and put my coleman 2 burner on the table at the stern. no problems yet, but i always babysit the flame.

 

[JoshOnt]

Re: grills and boats

Just buy a marine grill, making one is way too dangerous to even think about.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: grills and boats

I use one every time we're out but I'm luckier than most. I have enough room on the boat to leave all utensils, spare gas, and condiments. Buy the right grill and be happier in the long run.

BTW, the poster that indicated that he would "never have one" because of the gas bottle...propane is safer and more stable (especially stored) than the gasoline he's running his boat on.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: grills and boats

Use our Magma all the time & love it, I like being anchored off the beach & cooking burgers or something & people wading by commenting on how good it smells. Magma is the way to go, Look on craigslist, I found mine for $125.00 shipped with a canvas bag & rail mount that I have since upgraded. I wouldn't use a regular camp grill as it is not mounted and could easily be knocked over by a wake or person going by.

LK

Before the cheese:

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: grills and boats

Stopping to grill some food and lounge around has become a nice part of our days on the river. We beach the boat and grill on shore (charcoal and a cheapo Hibachi grill), though. It's much easier to beach and grill (and less messy), although if beaching wasn't an option, I think mounting a grill would be tempting. It's a hassle to pack all that food, but it is fun.

 

[nitsuj]

Re: grills and boats

I know many will scoff at the "non marines-ness" but I picked up an all stainless portable camping type grill from Lowes or Home Depot for $60 or so a few years back. I tabbed up a simple mount to put it on a pedestal on the swim platform. It's worked great for us. The nice thing about it is that it can pivot, so it can face the boat if I'm grilling on the water, or spin around and I can grill from the dock if I'm backed in somewhere. I also like that any spilled food will fall on the platform, or more likely, into the water if I get waked. Keeps the boat cleaner inside.

Word of caution, I only boat in fresh water, and I don't leave the grill on the boat when not in use, so mine still looks new. But I'm sure there are non stainless bits and pieces on the grill that would never last in a salt water environment. If you're boating on salt water, I'd buck up for the marine grill.

This is the one I got: Shop Master Forge 12000 BTU Portable Gas Grill at Lowes.com