There’s nothing better than having a nice barbeque after a long day at the sea. A good portable grill for boats will give you the ability to grill different kinds of foods to make your entire boating experience even better.
If you want to learn about the best portable grills for boats, then keep reading.
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Table could not be displayed.Can You Grill on a Boat?
Yes, of course you can. It is perfectly legal to have a grill on a boat.
However, there does come a problem when safety measures are not met by grill owners and it’s only natural that a combination of fire, water, and electronics can always be a dangerous one.
Here are some safety measures you can take to make the grilling safer.
- Make sure the grill is placed somewhere safe and away from electronics or away from the edge of the deck.
- NEVER grill while you are underway. This can cause the grill to tip over, it can cause the waves to enter the grill, and it can create a great deal of mess.
- Never leave the grill unattended.
- It’s not recommended to use gasoline as a fire accelerant.
- Make sure all the propane or gas connections are sealed tight to avoid any gas leaks.
- Turn off the grill as soon as you’re done grilling.
How to Choose a Portable Grill for Boat?
Portable grills for boats feature a specific design that makes them suitable for boats – that’s why you need to know exactly what you’re looking for. To pick the best portable grill for boat for you, consider these factors:
- Build quality and materials
- Fuel type
- Grilling power
- Ease of use
- Shape of the grill
Build Quality and Materials
One thing that you will need to keep in mind is that the portable grill will likely be exposed to sea salt or water air that can significantly damage and make the grill rust faster.
That’s why you should keep a close eye on what materials the grill is made from. Many of them are stainless steel grills, which is probably the best and most durable material that will protect your grill against rust.
Make sure you pick a portable grill that’s durable and will last you a long time without rusting.
Fuel Type
You will mostly find two types of portable grills for boat:
- Gas (or propane) portable grills
- Electric portable boat grills
- Charcoal portable grills
We recommend that you pick something that’s easy to use and you will light up easily. You need to keep in mind that you are likely to be using the grill in windy conditions, so lighting up a charcoal grill might prove to be challenging.
That’s why we recommend that you pick a gas grill if you want to light it up fast even if there is wind. These will work even if there are strong winds. If you are after a more pristine and genuine BBQ taste, then going with a charcoal portable grill for a boat is your best bet.
Electric portable boat grills are also great, but you will need to have a source of electricity, such as a portable generator.
Grilling Power
Throughout the years of purchasing portable grills, buyers were advised to look out for how many BTUs the portable grill can provide.
However, BTUs can be deceptive nowadays. The BTU number is normally the heating output of the main grill burners; however, many manufacturers also include the BTU of any potential side burners, which will normally increase the number of BTUs.
Historically, more BTU meant better grilling performance and more heating power. However, today, this could show a flaw in the design, perhaps. You will want to choose a grill that still has a good BTU rating, but also one that has a sturdy and quality design.
Ease of Use
When it comes to ease of use, arguably the biggest factor is how easy it is to start the ignition. The best and easiest form of ignition is the push-button ignition – check out which grills offer you the ability to start the fire with the push of a button.
The grill should also be easy to clean. Lightweight portable grills for boats are also recommended. Make sure you pick something that you like and you think will be very easy to use.
Shape of the Grill
The shape of the grill matters more than you might think. Round grills are made more for portability and are known for their compact design.
However, the rectangular grill will bring you much more space and will give you more grilling space. It also comes down to your personal preference. However, more grilling area is always better as you can cook more meat at the same time.
How Do You Mount a Boat Grill?
Mounting a boat grill is fairly easy once you have a mount for a portable boat grill. Some grills already come with a mount included; if not, you can get one here.
Here’s a useful video showing you how to mount a portable boat grill.
Do You Need a Warranty for Your Portable Boat Grill?
Ideally, yes. A warranty can give you some ease of mind, especially if you are buying a more expensive product. If you’re getting a more expensive item, then the part replacement can be very expensive, too.
Fortunately, many portable grills for boats will offer you a good warranty deal, which will allow you to feel safer and better when you buy a grill, even if it’s a more expensive one.
What is the Best Portable Grill for Boat?
Here, we have the 7 best portable grills for boats that you can choose from based on the factors that we mentioned above.
1. Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable Propane Gas Grill
For those who are looking for a great portable propane grill, then the Cuisinart portable gas grill will be a great option for your boat. It’s a very compact gas grill that still has a good grilling area – about 145 square inches. This will be enough for about 8 burgers, 6-10 chicken breasts, or 4 pounds of fish.
You’ll get a 5.500BTU burner with a stainless steel build. At the same time, the grate is porcelain-enamel covered, which adds to its durability and build quality. The best thing about this grill is that it’s very portable.
Thanks to its aluminum legs, you’re getting a great deal of portability and adjustability. These legs have adjustable feet, as you can set them up in just seconds, and adjust them to any height that you need. The lid lock will keep the lid secure. At the same time, you’re getting all this quality at just about 13.5lbs.
So this portable grill is great for boats, but it’s also a great option if you want a good portable grill for other means.
2. Magma Products Propane Stainless Steel Portable Grill
If you’re looking for a grill that has the ultimate mixture of portability, build quality, and grilling performance, then you simply can’t go wrong with the Magma grill. It has foldable legs so that you can use the grill practically anywhere you go. With the lockable grid, the usage of the grill is also safe and secure.
The whole design with the snap out radiant plate makes sure the heat distribution within the grill is equal. The grill is made from stainless steel, making sure that the grill will serve you for a very long time, regardless of weather conditions, or whether the grill is affected by the sea air.
Changing the gas bottles when the propane runs out is also very easy. All you need to do is swap the bottle of propane at the side of the grill and start using the grill again. But the design and the performance of the grill is energy-efficient, so you’ll save quite a lot of money on the long-term as the grill won’t use as much propane.
This thing is a versatile grill that you can mount onto your boat and use it there; or, you can take it anywhere you might be with you, and simply unfold the legs to start using it.
3. Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill
This is a great example of a round portable grill for boats. It’s made of 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel, giving you durability and quality that you need to use for boats. And this combination of materials is perfect as you will need to constantly clean the grill. It’s made for easy cleaning and also for easy use.
This is a gas grill. You’ll be able to control the flow of the gas to the grill manually, however, the grill is also made in such a way that it’s safe for you and anybody who uses the grill. It will automatically prevent any potential damages or problems that might be made due to the gas fuel.
The gas grill is perfect for boats as there is the option for you to control the wind with the lid. This lid can be rotated and used for protecting the grill from winds. You are very likely to experience winds, especially at sea where you will use this grill. The great news is that your grill won’t be affected by wind at all if you use it correctly.
And the heat distribution within the grill is also carefully considered, thanks to the radiant and convection cooking. This way, your food will taste better.
4. Camco Olympian 5500 Portable Gas Grill
You can get this grill as either an electric grill or propane-powered grill. Whichever option you go for, you are getting a high-quality grill made of quality materials. It’s primarily made of stainless steel, which is great if you intend to use this grill as a boat grill. That’s because stainless steel will withstand the test of time best when exposed to sea air.
This grill is also very powerful, as it can produce up to 12000BTUs per hour. It’s perfect for boats, although it can also be used for RVs, camping, or anywhere else. You’ll get 180 inches of working or cooking space with the grill, which is a lot considering this is a portable grill.
And the use of the grill is also very safe. It has a quick connect hose and quick connect valve, which is properly sealed and makes sure no gas escapes from the grill at all. And starting the grill is also very easy with the electric spark starter system.
If you want, you can also purchase a storage bag with the grill. This will give you an even better portability and will allow you to take the grill with you anywhere you go.
5. Masterbuilt SH19030819 Propane Tabletop Grill
The Masterbuilt portable grill is a great portable grill option for boats that won’t cost you much but will give you plenty of quality. It will produce about 10.000BTUs per hour, which is a lot considering the size and the price of the grill. It’s powered by propane, so the starting of the grill will be quite easy.
This is enabled by the quick spark system. The grill is made from stainless steel, and it has a large cover which will allow you to use this grill even when there are strong winds in the air. That’s crucial since you’ll be using this grill on your boat, which is very likely to have strong winds.
The U-shaped burner allows the heat to get distributed throughout the entire grill effectively and easily. This is important since you will want the grill to cook your food evenly and nicely. You are also getting a great level of portability with this product – primarily, it’s a tabletop grill, although you can also mount it on the mount and use it on your boat.
The total cooking area of the grill is 305 square inches. It will use a disposable 16oz. cylinder for fuel, so you’ll have to change this cylinder constantly once the fuel runs out. Overall, this product offers great value for money.
6. Kuuma Premium Stainless Steel Mountable Gas Grill
The Kuuma stainless steel portable gas grill represents a great option for everyone who’s looking for a lightweight yet durable portable grill for their boat. We think that this grill will give you a lot of value for the asking price.
With the 9000BTU per hour cooking power, you’ll be getting a great deal of cooking power which will allow you to cook your food easily. At the same time, there will be around 125 square inches of cooking area on your grill. This will give you ample space to combine and grill all your foods on the grill easily.
This grill is also made to be mounted, which is perfect if you’re looking to use it on a boat. It will mount on any Kuuma rail, pedestal mount, or rod. As we’ve already said, the portability of this grill is great because it’s relatively lightweight but it also offers more than enough cooking area for you. It represents good value for money.
7. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable Gas Grill
The Char-Broil gas grill is arguably the most portable and lightweight grill on this list. It is very compact and lightweight, which will allow you to take it anywhere with you. But above all, you’ll also be able to use it on a boat – either as a mounted grill or on its own.
It has an aluminum firebox and stainless steel latches, letting you cook your food easily and it won’t be affected by the sea air. You’re getting 200 square inches of cooking space on the stainless steel grilling grate.
For the asking price of this portable grill, you possibly can’t get a better grill. Not only is this grill great for boats, but you’ll also be able to use it at home, when camping, in your RV, or when you’re travelling. And that’s mainly due to its compact and lightweight design.
FAQ
What sort of fuel should I use for my portable grill for a boat?
This is completely up to you and how you want to use your grill. The preferred method for portable grills for boats is propane. That’s because it’s very easy to use and change, it will allow you to regulate it, you will start it easier, and it won’t run out that quickly.
It’s also very safe to use and convenient, as you can easily change it once the propane runs out. We believe that gas is the best type of fuel for your portable grill for boat.
However, you will also find charcoal portable grills for boat as well as electric grills. Charcoal grills are the preferred choice of those who are after that typical BBQ taste. However, these grills are incredibly hard to get started, especially with the wind at the sea.
Electrical grills are also available, but to use them, you’ll need a source of electricity on your boat such as a generator. So that can be another inconvenience.
How do you pick the right BTUs for your grill?
Normally, around 5500BTUs will do just well for portable grills for boats. However, if you are after a larger grill for a larger boat, then you can consider more than that.
The good news is that most grills will come with more than 5500BTUs of cooking power. But you shouldn’t only look at the BTUs and make your decision based upon that. As we’ve already mentioned, some providers will try to mask the BTUs of side burners and add it to the overall BTU count, so these numbers are not always accurate.
It is not necessary, but it can save you a lot of time, especially on a boat. It will allow you to start your grill with a simple push of a button, and you won’t be affected by all the wind around you, which can make your job harder.
Conclusion
To conclude, after extensive research on the best portable grills for boats, we have found that the Cuisinart portable grill (check on Amazon) is the best on the list of portable grills for boats. That’s because it’s made from stainless steel, is durable, and fairly lightweight, too. It will also allow you to grill your food effortlessly and easily.
If you’re looking for a budget-minded option, then we recommend you go for the Kuuma grill (check on Amazon). You will find a lot of quality for the asking price with this grill.
