Why does anyone need boat grill recommendations? After all, you’ll find a variety of compact grills at any big box hardware store. But boat life brings challenges–even to grilling equipment.
Boat Grill Challenges
Perhaps the first issue is that the metals used in household grills rust quickly in a salt air environment. I’ve written before about differences in galley stainless steel. Inexpensive stainless steel rusts quickly. And if cheap stainless steel in the galley degrades quickly, imagine how fast it fails hanging on a rail outside.
The second issue is staying lit in the wind. In an email from a reader, Tom:
I had an old West Marine 315 grill that was big enough to feed our six kids but the wind kept blowing the flames out. As the kids are going their own ways we don’t need that big of a grill but I do want one that won’t blow out so easy. I was looking at the Magma Newport Infrared and hoping you can shed some light.
Since we only had one of the Magma small kettle grills on Que Tal, I really couldn’t help Tom. So I turned to the greatest resource TBG has: readers. I asked for experiences and recommendations first on Facebook, and I’ve compiled those here.
In addition to the Magma grills that most of us have heard of, I also got three recommendations for lesser-known grills (one I’d seen at boat shows). This is one of the things I really like about TBG and readers sharing their experiences: spreading the word about good/useful/great products that aren’t in every catalog!
Please add your own experiences with any brands/models of grill in the comments.
Reader Recommended Boat Grills
Magma is probably the best known marine grill, widely available in the United States and elsewhere.
Magma Newport Infrared
- One reader has one and likes it for two people.
- My cookbook co-author, Jan, has the older “Newport” (not infrared) model and they love it. Although she notes that they have needed to replace various parts. They grill 4 to 5 nights a week.
- See/buy it on Amazon, West Marine and Defender)
A few readers reported they have Magma kettle style grills and have had varying luck with it staying lit in wind.
If you prefer grilling with charcoal, several readers have a strong recommendation.
Cobb Cooker
- Recommended by a UK reader; I’d never heard of one before
- Uses charcoal
- Stays cool on the outside
- “Versatile, easy to use, easy to light, easy to clean..the best tho’ is the fact that for a BBQ, you can put it direct on your gel coat or teak without a problem…can be used to roast, fry, BBQ bake with the Omnia, and even Smoke.. What could be better.. It may be small but I have cooked a 4 course meal for 6 on it…”
- See/buy it on Amazon
The next option is one I’ve seen at the boat show. It looks impressive. But it’s also quite expensive.
GalleyMate from Marine Barbecue Australia
- Claims to be “windproof” to 30+ knots; I’ve seen it in action in 20+ knots with no problems
- LaDonna and Denis, who we visited in the USVI, have one and love it. Says LaDonna: “More expensive yes! But the quality build is obvious. It heats evenly, the only caution and this goes for any grill not mounted to drop overboard—clean the drip pan with each use or when it rains it is a mess. We will soon mount ours permanently on our railing so it will drop into the sea.”
- Designed to also be used as an outdoor oven and for general cooking, as well as traditional grilling
- Several innovative mounting options
- The company website has many videos showing the unique features of the grill.
- Visit the company website — look at “international sales” to buy outside Australia as the US distributor is no longer is business).
And finally, several readers recommended a company less known for its grills than its boat ovens and heaters.
Dickinson Sea-B-Que
- Users who had one recommended it highly
- Comparable price to other marine grills.
- Available in a small and large option. Learn more at the Dickinson website.
- Spare parts easily available.
- Now sold at Amazon.
Why Invest in a Good Boat Grill?
A good marine grill is a valuable addition to any cruising boat. It can keep you from heating up the galley when cooking in hot temperatures. Certainly it’s a great option for keeping fish smells out of your living quarters. You can even bake bread on one.
Hopefully one of the grills recommended by Boat Galley readers will work for you.
Related Posts
Here’s your “Quick Start” to everything you need to know when living on a boat:
And check out our other courses and products
Tim Wenham says
My biggest frustration with any grill is finding replacement parts, when mt wife wanted to replace our grill on our dock, I demanded she buy a Magma grill, My reasoning being it seems parts are always available for their grills. We have had the grill for over 7 years with no issues. most grills I have had seem to need the burners replaced every 4 to 5 years, if you can find them. I did buy the dual rail mount and attach them directly to the grill. All standard mounts attach to the pop welded plate under the grill. I don’t trust pop welding due to its lack of strength. I also tapped into the boats propane system. For safety we only turn on the propane tank when cooking.
Scott KraFT says
We’ve used a Force 10 grill for 27 years and it has been wonderful. Unfortunately, the burner and heat defuser have come to the end of life. If anyone knows where parts can be obtained, that would be great. What I like best about the Force 10 is that the rail mount is very small and the grill is stored in a locker. It is easy to install and remove. We sail a 1964 John Alden designed sloop and to carry a grill permanently mounted on stern just doesn’t do it for us.
If I anyone knows of a grill that has a small, unobtrusive mounting platform and that the grill can be easily installed and removed, please let me know.