On board Grill, go or no go?

robvs

New Member
Aug 10, 2010
8
south florida
Boat Info
boatless
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boatless
Hi guys!

On the market for a boat (sundancer) and I like the idea of having a grill incorporated on the boat. Being an avid BBQ'er I know it can get a little messy ... here's the question:

Is it really a good idea to have an incorporated grill on the boat, is it better to have a movable one or not one at all?

I'm sure that a lot of CSR'ers have an opinion on this as boating and BBQ'ing sounds like a great idea!

Thanks for the insight,

Robert
 
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Pretty much a matter of preference in my book. I personally use a Magma Kettle Grill and love it. But would equally love the convenience of a built in unit. However I prefer to cook with gas and the only built-ins I've seen are electric.

Just be smart about its use, proximity to fuel, etc. Keep in mind many docks do not allow grilling dockside, but tend to provide grills off the docks for use.
 
Yes grill. Movable.

Grilling out is one of the real treats on a boat. You really have to experience it though. Movable...they wear out, and get fancy new models and you futz and play with them and want new stuff. The movable ones are a lot easier to throw away and replace...also nicely double for tailgate duty in a pinch.
 
Great question. My 330 came with the built in grill (electric) which has the advantage that it can be used at the dock because there is no open flame. That said, it abuts the bottom of the arch, and there is a fabric covered stereo speaker just above. I can't see grilling knowing that the greasy fumes will be discoloring the arch and the fabric, so mine remains virgin. I have a magma that I can mount off the back.
 
Either way, get one!

I just installed mine about a month ago. Don't know how I got along 3 seasons without it.

The only down side to a built in unit is that you might get stuck looking for parts or a complete replacement that will fit in the factory position a few years down the road.
 
Use my Magma Kettle every time I'm out and love it. Always easy to use and easy for parts and cleanup.
 
I have a built in grill. It is electric and smokeless. No grease splatter or smoke to stain anything. It uses a drip pan that has about 1/4" of water in it. Works great!
 
Yes. I have a Magma Newport that I've mounted on a pedastal that is removable and stowable.
Aug6-1610GulfIslandsSetIV61.jpg

Aug6-1610GulfIslandsSetIV9.jpg

Four Suns has found a more powerful unit called the Solaire that is a true infrared. I like the ideas of that but didn't know about it then but $300 including the pedastal was enough dough to throw at this project at the time and I'm very happy with it.
 
I love my Magma Kettle. It is hard to put into words how good anything cooked on that grill is on the water... Bottle line, you can't go wrong with either one...
 
I have a Magma gas grill I bought about 20 years ago when I had my little 26 footer. Used it about a half dozen times. Messy thing. I've never used it on the Sea Ray. Can't stand the mess. Also not thrilled with the unsafe aspect of having propane aboard and not in a proper propane locker. We bought another Weber gas grill and kept it at the marina. That worked for a few more years until my wife decided that it was too much effort to bring food and cook. Now we just go out for dinner and I have the Magma in the basement and a unused Weber Genesis in the garage. Oh well.

Best regards,
Frank
 
I have a built in grill. It is electric and smokeless. No grease splatter or smoke to stain anything. It uses a drip pan that has about 1/4" of water in it. Works great!

What do you mean it has 1/4 " of water in it???

Iv'e got both the built in electric Kenyon grill and a Magma kettle grill, with a table mount for the picnic table, and a rod holder mount for off the boat. We use the built in for anything that can either be put into sealed tin foil wrap, or which is mainly fat-free stuff. We do use it often, sometimes even just to reheat some leftovers that are in the fridge from the night before, or to toast in the AM. We use the Magma for juicy steaks, open cans of baked beans, almost everything and anything you can think of, it's great. Does it get real dirty, yes! But, I take it completely apart and clean it with comet, brillo, lots of soap in the kitchen sink. It takes time, but the thing looks spotless and it's clean. I find if grease accumulates, it stinks up the boat.

Given the choice to buy a new boat with or without the Kenyon electric, my personal preference is get it. On the other hand, if the choice is betwen a bow thruster or a grill, take the bow thruster, especially in the 35 ft range. Ideally, get both and you'll be that much better off!!!!
 
What do you mean it has 1/4 " of water in it???

Iv'e got both the built in electric Kenyon grill and a Magma kettle grill, with a table mount for the picnic table, and a rod holder mount for off the boat. We use the built in for anything that can either be put into sealed tin foil wrap, or which is mainly fat-free stuff. We do use it often, sometimes even just to reheat some leftovers that are in the fridge from the night before, or to toast in the AM. We use the Magma for juicy steaks, open cans of baked beans, almost everything and anything you can think of, it's great. Does it get real dirty, yes! But, I take it completely apart and clean it with comet, brillo, lots of soap in the kitchen sink. It takes time, but the thing looks spotless and it's clean. I find if grease accumulates, it stinks up the boat.

Given the choice to buy a new boat with or without the Kenyon electric, my personal preference is get it. On the other hand, if the choice is betwen a bow thruster or a grill, take the bow thruster, especially in the 35 ft range. Ideally, get both and you'll be that much better off!!!!


Thanks for all the feedback, good info & pics!!

After reading the thread I've been investigating the Magma grill and in one particular review it stated that even thou it was a great product one problem it had is the propane marine tanks, that they could not be refilled and were really expensive. Apparently he found a way to refill them by himself but was not very safe to do (this is plain crazy!). So what's the deal with the propane and the grills?

Another issue is that I've read conflicting opinions on the thread regarding if the in build grill is messy or not & the greasy fumes (I've honestly haven't thought about the fumes until now) ... I don't know where I stand with this ...

Robert
 
Thanks for all the feedback, good info & pics!!

After reading the thread I've been investigating the Magma grill and in one particular review it stated that even thou it was a great product one problem it had is the propane marine tanks, that they could not be refilled and were really expensive. Apparently he found a way to refill them by himself but was not very safe to do (this is plain crazy!). So what's the deal with the propane and the grills?

Another issue is that I've read conflicting opinions on the thread regarding if the in build grill is messy or not & the greasy fumes (I've honestly haven't thought about the fumes until now) ... I don't know where I stand with this ...

Robert

I would definitely recommend a removeable grill such as the Magma Kettle.

In addition to the grease and fume issue, I would imangine you would need to clean up a built in grill 100% after each use or you will risk attracting ants and other insects.

I am not sure about the "marine propane tank"- all the kettles I have seen including my own run on the small green disposable camping size propane tanks. They sell them at West Marine right next to the grills for a few bucks each.

Edit: In looking back through the pictures of this thread it looks like Todd possibly has a tank in his transom locker. Could this be the type of marine tank you were hearing about? Maybe Todd could comment on whether you can use the disposable green can with the Newport or not. That grill is a good bit larger than the Kettle
 
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The little bottles of propane aren't very expensive. I picked up a 2 pack of them at Walmart for less than $6... You can easily get 5-6 meals out of each one...
 
OK, Propane tanks are not an issue. It seems that a good solution would be the solution proposed by ziekman:

"Iv'e got both the built in electric Kenyon grill and a Magma kettle grill, with a table mount for the picnic table, and a rod holder mount for off the boat.

Now the next concerns:

  • Where does a Magma Newport Grill fit for storage? I'm sweet on a '33 Sundancer
  • How long does it take the grill to cool off for storage?
Robert
 
OK, Propane tanks are not an issue. It seems that a good solution would be the solution proposed by ziekman:

"Iv'e got both the built in electric Kenyon grill and a Magma kettle grill, with a table mount for the picnic table, and a rod holder mount for off the boat.

Now the next concerns:

  • Where does a Magma Newport Grill fit for storage? I'm sweet on a '33 Sundancer
  • How long does it take the grill to cool off for storage?
Robert


It would probably yield a better response if you tell us the Specific Model Number and year range you are looking at. 33' Sundancer could be thought of as a couple different models especially if you mean Hull Length or Overall and recently models changed again for 2010.

My Kettle is normally cool enough to touch in 15-25 minutes. I had a newport before and seem to recall the cool off time was similiar.
 
I looked at both the Magma Grill and The Weber-Q. The Weber has a nice "Cast Iron" Grill and for a small unit it fits a lot. Easy clean-up with a Aluminum trays covers. Hey, its a Weber not much to rust. JG.
 
That worked for a few more years until my wife decided that it was too much effort to bring food and cook. Now we just go out for dinner and I have the Magma in the basement and a unused Weber Genesis in the garage. Oh well.

What?!?! That's a sacrilege...boating and grilling go together like peanut butter and jelly! Whether it's on land or on the water, 90% of my meals are prepared on the grill. Last night was grilled portobello burgers.....mmmmmmmm.
 
I just bought the newest Magma Kettle 2 17" party size, the one that is a grill, stovetop & oven, newly designed, hinged lid. Nice! Got it for $195 here:
http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xc...bination_Stove__Gas_Grill_Party_Size171_.html
They also have the mounts. I ordered a custom Sunbrella cover too that matches my canvas from sailboatowners.com for $45. lt should arrive this week. Installed the grill but haven't got to use it yet. I'm dying to see if it will bake biscuits!
 
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We've gotten tired of the mess after many years of having a small grill on board. (I still have it....a fold up that fits in an 18"x18" canvas bag. It reflects heat uniformly by virtue of its reflective stainless sides and uses only 6 bricketts. Takes you 9 minutes to cook great steaks, and 45 minutes of scrubbing to clean the sucker.) We eat breakfast and maybe lunch on the boat. In the evening, it's off to town.
 

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