Boat Grill Recommendation?

[carolts]

So my big project this spring has not been BBQ related...sold my small catboat and purchased a 30' one...a Nonsuch 30 Ultra. Think of it as a tiny house on the water. And because every house needs a grill...

I'm leaning toward a the Magma kettle that can also be used as a single-burner stove but I've never used any marine grill. I know marine grills are similar to their land-based cousins except with more stainless to help them last in the salt air.

Anybody have any experience here? Max Good, what are your thoughts?

[martybartram]

Congratulations on the boat! Curious if you are leaning towards gas or charcoal?

[carolts]

Many marinas won't allow open flame except for a gas grill, so charcoal is out. Also, it's a bit of a storage and disposal problem. So gas it is.

[martybartram]

That's what I figured. My parents had a charcoal grill that swung out and over the hull so it sat over the water. They only used it at sea.

[broilking4]

First have fun with your new Nonsuch. great boat. Will be even greater with a grill hanging off the stern rail. We lived aboard and cruised over 20 years on 3 different boats From 27 foot to 48 foot. Always had a grill aboard. The pics are a Force 10 charcoal grill that I purchased in 1981 and it still lives. I haven't used much in the last 10 years but it still is usable and sits on a little table next to my other grills on the patio. I just bought a Keystone trailer and plan to now use it with that as we land cruise. That 35 year old grill will see action again on land after having cruised on 3 different boats up and down the East coast and thru the caribbean. Sadly Force 10 no longer makes this charcoal grill only gassers. You may want to check them out if still made as solid as this one. Good luck with your search and have a blast grilling on board at anchor. ENJOY!!!!

[Max Good]

@carolts
Sorry I don't have much experience with boat grills. As you point out, manufacturers use stainless steel for obvious reasons. Another popular feature is the ability to attached a small grill to a railing and some models have a swivel arm to move the grill into the boat while keeping it at waist height.

[Spinaker]

I would make a custom boat grill out of a spirit or something similar. Take the body and remount it to a new steel frame that hooks to the boat deck. Of course, this requires welding and metal cutting. Which I understand not everyone has access too. I am thinking about doing the same thing for our lake cruiser. But probably wont get around to it.........hahaha

[carolts]

I'd never fit anybody in the cockpit if I did that!! Also, not taken up welding as yet...

[Spinaker]

hahahaha, you should, its a fun hobby. Just like bbq, it takes practice. carolts

[carolts]

Found a used Magma Marine Kettle 2 that can double as a single-burner stove. I have to buy a new rail mount for it, but total outlay should be around $100. Not sure when we'll get around to using it, but I had to have a boat grill. This is probably the only group of people I know that understands that last statement.

[carolts]

The used grill arrived today. Now I understand why they are so expensive new...the thing weighs a ton for its size and is ALL stainless, right down to the cast stainless mounting bracket. I ordered a dock stand so I can use it on land, as this could likely replace my portable grill (although the other one is infrared and does a great sear). With a single burner there's no way to do 2-zone, but I think a small pizza stone could get me indirect baking kinda sorta. Anyway, I've got several years ahead of me before we would do any extended cruising, so plenty of time to sort this out.

Once I have some experience with it, I'll add my "review" to the grills section.

[broilking4]

I think you made a good choice. I did a little research after posting above and found Force 10 does not seem to be the same quality as the my 35 year old one. Magma seemed hands down the best for your use on the water. That being said your thread got me thinking about using my Force 10 charcoal grill with my new [to me] land cruiser. The comments reminded me what a PIA charcoal could be especially on a boat and I can see the same camping on land. I admit it would be much easier carrying charcoal and keeping it dry in the back of the truck or in a storage space in the trailer but still a PIA. That said I ordered and received yesterday a Coleman Road Trip LXE portable 2 burner gas grill for use when camping. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet but will tell you my thoughts of it when I do that today and try it out. I may still take the Force !0 and a small bag of Kingsford along just for old times sake and I want to "rough it" LOL
Fair winds to you Carol enjoy your time on the new boat as much as we did when cruising.

[troymeister]

Magma Kettle hands down. I had a 30' sailboat on Lake Michigan for 8 years and the Magma for 7. Great grill!!