Boat Grills & Boat Grill Mounts
Nothing brings people together like food or spending time on the water, and boat grills allow you to combine the two! » Read More
About Boat Grills and Grilling
Grilling on a boat combines all the great things about grilling with all of the great parts of being on a boat. There are certain things to consider to keep your lake days flavorful and safe.
Boat Grills vs. Normal Grills
Boat grills are designed with boating in mind. They’re made of stainless steel and intended to stand up to the marine environment. They’re also designed to latch securely, helping to avoid damage when crossing rough water or large boat wakes. Normal grills will not stand up as well to the vibration and jostling of a moving boat. In addition to latching securely, boat grills are wind-tested for safety and cooking satisfaction. Read More
Boat Grill Fuel Types
There are a few options for which heating method to use for your boat grill: Read More
Charcoal Boat Grills
Charcoal is probably the least used method to grill on the water. Some grilling purists may prefer charcoal, but for boat use, it is best to use one of the alternatives. The hot coals involved with charcoal can cause damage to your boat should they fall on your deck. Since the coals take so long to cool, they can be a hazard to deal with after grilling.
Wind can also cause problems with keeping the coals lit and can stir up flaming debris. In addition to all of the issues when the charcoal is lit, keeping it dry before being lit can also be an issue.
Propane or Gas Boat Grills
Gas is by far the most popular method of grilling on the water. Unlike your grill at home, which may require a huge propane tank, boat grills are designed to use small one-pound bottles. This makes fuel storage a breeze and reduces the risk of scratching your deck with a heavy fuel bottle. Turning off a propane grill is as simple as switching off the knob, and they cool quickly in comparison to charcoal grills.
Gas grills are also very fuel efficient, with a one-pound bottle of fuel providing around an hour of cooking time. Replacing the fuel bottle on a gas grill only takes minutes, and requires no extra tools.
Electric Boat Grills
Electric grills are worth mentioning but are limited in their marine use. They require AC power, meaning only boats with generators or large banks of lithium batteries can power them. In addition to this, electrical components that are not designed for marine use tend to corrode and fail very quickly.
Marine Grill Mounts
After choosing the heating element for your grill, next comes how you plan on mounting it. There are a few different types of mounts that may suit your boat, but keep in mind that your grill should have two feet of clearance from any combustible material. Read More
After choosing the heating element for your grill, next comes how you plan on mounting it. There are a few different types of mounts that may suit your boat, but keep in mind that your grill should have two feet of clearance from any combustible material. You should also consider if there is anything on board that may be damaged if subjected to heat. This includes cushions, gelcoat, or any wood finishes.
There are a few mount options to pick from:
Rod Holder Grill Mounts
This style of mount is a perfect choice for cooking up your fresh catch! Rod holder mounts slide into your existing rod holders and then mount to your grill. They’re designed to compensate for the rod holder angle to hold your grill perfectly level. Some rod holder mounts come with a level lock system that allows you to swivel the mount however you choose. This allows you to mount the grill in any configuration, depending on the situation.
Magma Grills makes a double-locking fishing rod holder grill mount that not only locks on top to allow for 360-degree angle adjustments but also can be tightened into the rod holder to lock into place.
Vertical Surface Grill Mounts
Vertical surface mounts can turn any vertical surface into a cooking area! They can attach to square rails and flat rails as well as bulkheads, transoms, or cabin sides. These provide adequate offset and can allow your grill to hang over the water while you cook. Vertical surface mounts are great for pontoon boats and attach very strongly to the square rails that surround the boat.
Some vertical surface mounts are intended to be used with smaller grills. Larger grills may require two mounts used in conjunction. Keep this in mind while shopping for grill mounts.
Round Rail Grill Mounts
Round rail mounts allow for a variety of adjustments to fit your needs. They can fit standard marine handrails, ranging from 7/8” to 1”. Due to their pivoting arm, they can work on any angle handrail. These mounts are also intended for small kettle grills; larger grills may require two mounts.
Pedestal Grill Mounts
If none of the above-mentioned mounts work for your boat, but you have plenty of open deck space, a pedestal mount is the way to go. Pedestal mounts are freestanding mounts that mount directly to your deck. Some pedestal mounts are quickly detachable, allowing for the pedestal and grill to be removed from the deck when done grilling. These mounts typically have a higher load capacity and are suited to support the largest marine grills.
Onshore Grill Mounts
For the sailor or boater who needs their grill to work double duty, the onshore attachment for kettle grills is perfect. The onshore stand mount turns your boat grill into the standard beach grill or camping grill. After use, it folds down for flat storage without any tools. The onshore mount is perfect for sandbar, island hopping, and transient boaters.
Rectangular vs. Kettle Marine Grills
Boat grills typically come in two different shapes: rectangular grills and round, kettle grills. The rectangular grills are typically larger than the kettle grills. The larger cooking area allows you to cook for more people. The kettle grill is cheaper to heat, as it uses less gas, is lighter, and some claim the round grill handles the wind better. The round, kettle grill is also compatible with more mounting options than the rectangular grill; being lighter means they swivel easier.
Installing a Marine Grill
Installing a grill or a grill mount on your boat is fairly simple. Any of the mounts that involve existing railing or fishing rods will only involve tightening some nuts and bolts. Installing a vertical surface mount into fiberglass or a pedestal mount will be a bit more complicated. Read More
Boat Grill Brands
There are a few different brands of marine grills to choose from, but the most prevalent grilling name in the marine industry is Magma. Magma was started nearly 50 years ago by two brothers, Jim and Jerry Mashburn.Read More