BBQ Grill Suggestions

Tacoma290

Tacoma290

Active Member
Oct 5, 2006
498
Tacoma, WA
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2007
Engines
Twin 8.1 V-drives
I have a Magma marine kettle grille, and have no love for it. The lowest setting is way too hot, and half the grill surface is a 'burn zone' hot spot. At home I grill on a Weber in any weather (rain, snow, hail) and love it. But I never look forward to grilling on the boat with this thing.

Looking for a grill suggestion that is propane, mounts using the fishing rod holders (do not want to trip over another mount on the swim step), and stores away.
If I could reduce the gas flow, that might work, but does not seem possible with the 16 oz propane bottles and the Magma regulator.
Considering a Weber Q to be mounted on a Magma bait table. Also open to other suggestions.
What else should I look into?
 
Tacoma290 said:
I have a Magma marine kettle grille, and have no love for it. The lowest setting is way too hot, and half the grill surface is a 'burn zone' hot spot. At home I grill on a Weber in any weather (rain, snow, hail) and love it. But I never look forward to grilling on the boat with this thing.

Looking for a grill suggestion that is propane, mounts using the fishing rod holders (do not want to trip over another mount on the swim step), and stores away.
If I could reduce the gas flow, that might work, but does not seem possible with the 16 oz propane bottles and the Magma regulator.
Considering a Weber Q to be mounted on a Magma bait table. Also open to other suggestions.
What else should I look into?
Click to expand...

The Weber Q's are great and know many who use them. As I posted on the 340SDA forum I love my Electric Weber Q. You can also mount to rod holder with a table or use a grill-a-mount on swim platform. Downside is if you are not dockside you will need to fire up the genset but no propane storage needed.

-Kevin
 
I used to have the opposite happen, where the giant Monterrey rectangular one I have wouldn't get hot enough. Did you know that there are two regulators? One high flow for the larger rectangular units and one lower flow for the smaller and round grills? I did not until recently. Mine was probably switched with a dockmate when exchanging tanks at a tie up. I got the right regulator and now use the low flow for longer cooks and the high flow for searing steaks etc. Really helped. I also just got a www.grillamount.com to replace my rod holder setup. It works pretty damn well and allows me to store the giant Monterrey in the trunk when not needed. Now the admiral has her shade sail in the rod holders and I have my grill on the back...
Grill Mount 1.jpg
 

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I have one of the smaller rectangular Magma grills and I love it. I think I have the Cabo but I'm not sure. I've had it about a year and in that time probably cooked on it 20 times. (not bad for the midwest)

I have it on a rod holder and it goes in the umbrella pipe on the dock or in a rod holder when we're out. Fits easily in the trunk. I've heard people complain about these in the wind and also complained about hotspots, but on mine I haven't had issues with either. I cooked in 20 mph winds a few weeks ago - no issues.

I'll check the model and upload a picture when I'm back up on the boat.

Also, let me know what is "too hot". I'll set mine on low and hit it with an IR thermometer and let you know what I'm getting on low heat. Obviously that will be affected by ambient temp, but it will give you an idea.

EDIT - One thing I forget to mention is that I get almost no heat transfer under the grill. This keeps the fiberglass safe when I have it mounted in a rod holder on the boat. I'll check the temps on this as well.
 
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I’ve also got a Magna kettle propane grill that I never use because it sucks for all the same reasons you describe, plus it doesn’t stay lit in the high winds we often have around here in the afternoon.
If I ever decide to replace it, my next one will be a Weber Q.
I’ve got a propane Weber grill at home and it is fantastic.
Since I have a generator, and usually run it at meal times on the hook so we can heat things up in the microwave, I’d probably get the electric version so I can use it at docks in transient marinas.
Pretty much all of the marinas around here prohibit the use of propane at the dock.
 
With the new boat (and 110vac on demand) we went with a Kenyon electric last year for all the same complaints about the Magmas everyone has reported. In addition use of propane grills where we are is largely prohibited including our own marina. Most places provide community grills in areas of the marina deemed safe by the FD. The one we got is a table top model, but the guts are basically the same as what sea ray has been installing as a built in. It is the best boat we have ever had.
 
Temperature control!!! Gas grills suck and rule. The temperature ont the rectangular grills is easier but it still takes attention.

It’s cooking!

attention must be payed to the food on any smaller grille!

sorry good food takes attention and time.
 
IMG_0450.JPG I used a adapter and mounted a Jackson Grill on it and added a cast iron plate to cook on as well. Very pleased with it and it was half the price of the Magna I used to have and had no love for it either. Any time you can use a Weber you will never be disappointed! You can usually make marine mounts work with other brands. Good luck and happy grilling.
 
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My experience with magma rectangle grills is the left side is barely warm and the right side is burn your steak in 1 minute too hot. I bought a small Dickinson sea b que and installed it last weekend. My only complaint was the mount so I purchased a magma rod holder mount and am fitting it to the grill so I should be able to rest it next weekend. Anyway the grill is nice quality but I can’t give you my personal experience yet, however the online reviews are good with the sailing community.
 
I received a Magma Cabo for fathers day this year. So far I've very much enjoyed it. I use a rod holder mount. It is a little hot on the right, cool on the left (like mentioned above) but I find that rotating the food makes it quite manageable. I also find it perfect for an admiral that likes everything "very, very well done" vs the captain that prefers medium.

I store mine under the mid-cabin bed. My transom locker is full with backup fenders, unfortunately. I put the magma in a 40 gallon trash bag (once cool, obviously), clip it tight, and then drop it into a Magma storage bag. Works great...
 
I just spotted this video this morning on YouTube where the boater took a Weber Q grill and used the Magma extended rail mounts to mount it to his railing. I thought this was a fantastic mod with a very high-quality grill…

 
We grill a lot.

Earlier this year we bought a new Magma to replace the old one. Not because we love the Magma, but it does the job for us. The one we bought was the same as the one it replaced - cheapest model in the WM store.

I don't spend a lot on the grill, don't expect a life time of service. I think this last one lasted 3-4 years, not bad for the low end model.
 
hynespa said:
I just spotted this video this morning on YouTube where the boater took a Weber Q grill and used the Magma extended rail mounts to mount it to his railing. I thought this was a fantastic mod with a very high-quality grill…

Click to expand...
Your a genius!!
 
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