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Barbecue on a boat, surely this is madness; actually, it is not; it is amazing and a great way to enjoy the fish you just caught. With the correct gear and procedures, you can grill on your boat in a safe way! However, it can be challenging to determine what grills are best for a boat day, especially when safety and convenience come into the picture.
The best boat grill for most people is the Weber Q 1000 BBQ. It’s affordable, safe, and easy to use, and it uses propane, which burns smokeless and clean.
The only instances in which I wouldn’t recommend the Weber Q 1000 BBQ are:
- You are willing to pay more for a grill. In that case, I’d recommend the Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill (available on Amazon).
- You want a grill with a mount included. Then, go with the Bunker Up Fishin Portable Propane BBQ (available on Amazon).
With so many grills to choose from, finding the best boat grill for your vessel may seem like an impossible task, but I’m here to help. I’ll tell you about some of the best boat grills and tell you about how to safely use and maintain them so that your water-borne cooking is all smooth sailing!
You can basically use any grill that you want but the hard part is mounting it to the boat, unless the grill is equipped with a boat mount you might have to make your own.
Here is my complete Must-have catamaran sailing gear list!
Best Boat Grill Under $100: Weber Q 1000 BBQ
One of the best grills on the market under $100 is the Weber Q 1000 BBQ. This propane grill has all the features you need for a great time on your boat.
It’s relatively small and portable enough to take anywhere you go, which makes it ideal for easy transportation to and from your boat. In addition, it comes with an adjustable-height cooking surface, lid holder, and fold-down side tables.
The Weber Q 1000 BBQ also includes a side burner. So, you can cook up your sides on the side! That feature makes it ideal for family meals since you keep everything separate when you want to.
Best Boat Grill Under $200: Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill
This grill is more expensive than the Weber, but it might still be worth it, depending on your needs.
The Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill is an affordable grill for a boat with many features. This grill is excellent for cooking fish and shrimp as well as burgers.
It is easy to clean and store. The adjustable control valve makes it possible to regulate gas flow, and the stainless steel cooking grid includes six zones.
These zones contain three different size grates. You can adjust the heat settings based on what you are cooking. With this feature, you can cook one thing on one side of the grill and use the other for a different dish, making it easy to cook up a big meal!
Another great feature of this grill is the push-button igniter. The push-start button allows you to light your grill quickly, which means you won’t have to mess around with lighters or matches.
Best Boat Grill With Mount: Bunker Up Fishin Portable Propane BBQ
If you want a nice, simple setup with a mount included, go for the Bunker Up Fishin Portable Propane BBQ (available on Amazon.com). This sleek, moderate-sized propane grill is ideal for any boat since it comes with a mount, but it also has legs so you can prop it up anywhere.
The mount fits into a rod holder, making installation much more straightforward than other, more technical mounts.
It has a thermostat, push-button ignition, and a warming rack to keep your food warm, even after a long dip into the water.
I love this grill for its safety, too. Its legs give plenty of clearance to keep burns from happening, and the mount rotates to float over the water, keeping you safe from any potential sparks or smoke.
The only con to this grill is that it’s a bit more expensive than the other options I’ve recommended, but it’s worth the extra few bucks.
Can You Put a Grill on a Boat?
You can put a grill on your boat as long as you use a marine or boat-safe version and keep it away from flammable materials. Marine BBQ grills are usually smaller than backyard grills, and you may need to mount them to prevent overheating and fires.
Grilling out on the water is an excellent way for family and friends to relax together in beautiful surroundings. In addition, you need not worry about smoke alarms going off or a messy house!
Boat grills are also called marine BBQs or boat barbecues. These grills are just for use on the water, and they can cook for many people without any issues.
These grills have at least one open side. So, you can place food onto it or attach various cooking appliances like an oven or stovetop burner, if needed.
Boat-safe grills have non-slip surfaces to keep everything stable while in use, and they often have crossbars that allow you to secure them to your ship.
Boat grills are great for creating a fun and festive environment while you’re out on the water. You can use marine barbeques for cooking anything!
Still, it is crucial to mount a grill correctly on a boat. That’s because the boat’s motion can tip the grill over, ruining your food and potentially starting a fire on your vessel!
If you’re looking for a recommendation, everyone I asked loves the Magma Boat Grill Mount (from Amazon.com). This mount is a stand that securely attaches to your marine grill. It is perfect for preventing safety hazards, and it is designed with durable materials to avoid breaking or rusting.
It is very similar to what I had when sailing the Bahamas a few years back.
What Kinds of Grills Can You Use on a Boat?
Boat grills come in three main types– charcoal, gas, and electric. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages.
The kinds of grills you can use on a boat are charcoal, gas, or electric grills. Gas is the best option since propane tanks are portable and burn clean. Charcoal can be dangerous if the wind is able to blow sparks onto the boat.
You can also install a gas stove in a boat for quick cooking. At the same time, an electric stove requires either a nearby 120-volt outlet or its generator to run ( or a legit li-ion battery setup).
Charcoal Grills
This type of grill can cook food over the open flame of burning charcoal. Charcoal is a bit outdated as a boat grill fuel, but it’s still a classic!
Most people avoid charcoal because it poses more health and safety risks since the briquets stay searing hot after and during grilling.
However, it gives your food a great taste, so if you’re safe, there’s no reason not to use it.
Most charcoal grills have various hooks, racks, and holders to keep everything secure while you’re on the water.
A charcoal grill may be the best choice for people who are hands-on with their food. Charcoal grills can also be cheaper than gas. They also offer more cooking control and versatility, and they allow you to cook different foods at different heat levels simultaneously.
Unfortunately, they can also be messy and need more maintenance, such as emptying ash after use, which some people find inconvenient.
Gas Grills
A gas grill burns propane to heat the cooking area.
Gas grills are best for those looking for convenience. They’re easier to start up and clean than charcoal grills.
They also don’t produce any smoke or fumes, which will help you keep a white boat looking clean.
Propane gas grilling is an excellent option for those who want to grill fast or those who do not want the hassle of charcoal. Propane gas grills are quick to light and don’t need much preparation.
Electric Grills
Electric grills use an electric heating element. They usually contain a metal wire that heats up when electricity flows through it, like an electric stovetop.
This type of grill cooks fast but with less but requires a lot of electric energy, and to be honest, it almost doesn’t count as a grill. Or what do you think?
How To Pick the Best Boat Grill for Your Needs
There are many options for boat grills, but the best boat grill for you will depend on your needs.
If you want something that will last, go for a stainless steel grill. Stainless steel is one of the best materials since it won’t break down with heavy use. However, steel rusts, so you’ll have to cover it or put it indoors when you aren’t using it to prevent corrosion.
The size of the grill is one of the most important things to consider. You want to make sure that you have enough space for your grill and for all the food you want to cook.
One popular size is a 22-inch by 30-inch (55.88 cm by 76.2 cm) grill. Grills of this size are usually a good option if you’re cooking for yourself and another person. However, if you’re cooking for a larger group, you should consider getting a bigger grill.
If you’re cooking for more people or want to use the grill often, then an electric grill would be the most efficient since you will only have to provide electricity to fuel it.
You can also consider getting a gas grill if you’re cooking for a large family. Gas grills provide a better flavor than electric ones, but you’ll have to buy gas fairly often to fuel them.
The best boat grill is going to be different for everyone. Still, the process is much easier if you know what features and attributes are essential to you.
Safety and Maintenance of Boat Grills
Keeping your boat grill in tip-top shape is as important as using it for cooking delicious meals. Maintaining your grill ensures that you can use it for many years and helps prevent fires and gas leaks.
Periodically checking for loose screws is a good idea, and doing so will help you keep your boat grill in good condition for a long time.
If you are using a gas grill, you should also check the propane tank frequently to ensure that the gas is still good and that you have connected the gas line to the grill tightly.
Gas leaks are no fun, and they could jeopardize your health and safety and that of your crew (or family).
Also, when using a grill on your boat, always make sure it is not near anything that could cause a fire or spark an explosion.
If you find any signs of rust, you should scrub the rust off so that it doesn’t continue to accumulate and spread.
Lastly, it never hurts to be cautious when cooking on a boat grill. Always ensure that you extinguish all open flames before leaving the area or moving your boat.
When you make sure your boat grill is in good condition, you can cook delicious meals for years to come. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher nearby if you have a propane grill. This way, you can put out any small fires that occur before they get out of control.
Conclusion
Boat grills are fantastic, and they can pack your day out on the water with good food and good times.
Boat grills are ideal for small spaces like your deck. They have extra safety features that can keep your fun-filled day from going up in flames. You can find boat grills fueled by charcoal, electricity, or gas, but gas is by far the most popular and safest option.
Now that you know what to look for, you can make the best decision for you and your boat.
Here are Some of My Favorite Catamaran Cruising Resources
Thank you for reading this article. I hope you found it helpful as you hopefully start your sailing adventures. Here are some resources that I use as a sailor that I hope you’ll also find helpful. These are affiliate links, so if you do decide to use any of them, I’ll earn a commission. But in all honesty, these are the exact things that I use and recommend to everyone, even my own family.
Sailboats: If you’re looking for the best boat to suit your needs, I would recommend a catamaran. If you’re interested, I can show you the differences between catamarans and other types of sailboats.
Books: For getting started, I really like Cruising catamarans made easy. It is actually a textbook from the American sailing association; it is used to get a cruising catamaran certification. There are some other great books, and I have compiled a list of books about cruising catamarans that you will find useful.
Communication: Being out on adventures, whether it be sailing or climbing mountains, good communications are essential to being safe. I recommend two things Google fi (incredibly simple cellular data all over the world) and Garmin inreach mini (for text and voice in remote areas without cell coverage)
Sailing courses: Online sailing courses are great for beginners starting out their sailing career; it’s an efficient way of learning the basics of navigation, throttle controls, and maritime safety. I suggest starting with two free courses from NauticEd.
To see all my most up-to-date recommendations, check out this resource that I made for you!