Many people ask if grilling on a boat is legal, and the answer is always yes! There are many different models of grills available that are designed especially for boats.
It can be daunting to choose the right grill for your boat, with so many brands and options on the market. But safety should always be your top priority when making this decision. An unsuitable grill for your vessel could lead to a fire onboard, which could be very dangerous.
In this article, we will explore all of the different options available to you and provide some helpful tips to make sure you choose the best possible grill for your boat.
Types Of Boat Grills
Have fun and relax on your boat by choosing the best grill for you. Keep in mind what works well for you and your vessel when narrowing down options between charcoal, propane gas, or electric grills.
Charcoal grill
The flavor of food cooked over charcoal is generally thought to be superior. This will be the most economical option since it involves a lot of wood. Charcoal may be found in almost any store, making them extremely handy.
On the other side, if you select a charcoal grill, you must be very cautious of the risks involved with an open flame on your boat. Because of winds, there may be burning ashes flying about. To minimize the risk of flipping over, read the manufacturer’s instructions before installing it.
Please keep in mind that charcoal takes time to be ready and expect your cooking time to longer. When you finish cooking, let the ash cool before collecting it. You can wrap it in aluminum foil and throw away in the trash. Hardwood charcoal is a little harder to store, so find a dry spot to keep it until you’re ready to use again.
Pros
- Great flavor
- Inexpensive
- Can find charcoal everywhere
Cons
- Slow to get ready
- Could be dangerous
- Storage, charcoal has to be dry
Gass grill
This is one of the most popular ways to barbecue on a boat. Although the flavor may not be as good as that of a charcoal grill, these grills have shown to be quite successful in the past. These grills are a little more expensive than charcoal but nothing too extravagant.
Gass grills come in a variety of sizes to suit your specific needs. They allow you greater temperature control and speed up the cooking process. Propane tanks are inexpensive, available almost everywhere, and simple to store.
You should be on an open area while cooking with a propane grill on your boat. These grills get extremely hot rather quickly, so don’t leave them alone.
Pros
- Good flavor
- Reasonable price
- Can find propane everywhere
- Better control of temperature
- Easy to store
Cons
- None at the moment
Electric Grill
Unlike the other two choices, electric grills don’t have a flame, making them the safest choice for a boat. They can also be used in locations where charcoal or propane is not permitted, such as a marina, dock, or protected space. This grill is ideal for boaters because it doesn’t require any open flames.
There may be a few drawbacks to this setup. You can’t use the gas grill with the battery. An onboard generator or shore power is required, and there are some people who find the cost to be prohibitive.
Pros
- Very safe
- No open flame
- Can be used in more places
Cons
- Price
- Needs AC source
Storing Grill
The majority of boat grills come with grill storage bags. After using your grill and waiting for it to cool off, store it in the grill bag.
If you use propane tanks, be sure to store them in a safe location where they will not be exposed to extreme heat. You want to make sure the tanks are secured so that they do not bounce around or come into contact with each other. If you have these tanks on your boat for an extended period of time, inspect them regularly for decay or rust.
Make sure the charcoal is completely cold and extinguished if using charcoal before putting the grill away. Wrap ash and scorched pieces of charcoal in aluminum foil and throw them away in the garbage. Charcoal should be kept in a dry container in a dry location.
Grilling On A Boat Safety Tips
Heading out on the boat for a day of fun in the sun? Keep your journeys safe and delicious with these easy tips. Plus, be sure that everyone aboard knows them too so that everybody can enjoy stress-free meal times.
- By keeping a fire extinguisher within reach, you won’t have to waste valuable time searching for it during an emergency.
- Keep the grill clean – grease accumulation on the grill and a fire occurring as a result is a common cause of house fires.
- Keep watch of the grill at all times, especially if you’re boating with kids. They can be very curious creatures.
- Wear decent clothes and shoes to keep your lovely body from suffering burns caused by careless behavior.
- It’s essential that you know and comply with manufacturer safety guidelines. Read the manual and be familiar with all of your grill’s features and safety systems.
- Connections for two or more propane cylinders should be double-checked to ensure they are tight and free of leaks.
- Never grill indoors – grills are for cooking in the outdoors. They generate a lot of heat and smoke that can be harmful if inhaled.
- Do not use the grill while the boat is in motion – it’s a safety hazard.
- Place the grill in a well-ventilated area, away from any flammable materials. Also, make sure it is firmly planted on the ground to avoid it tipping over and causing a fire.
- Ensure you use the right type of lighter fluid to avoid setting your boat ablaze or causing an explosion.
- Before putting away your grill, wait for it to cool fully – this will avoid causing damage to your boat or scorching yourself or crew members.
Cleaning Grill
Not only is it essential to keep the grill clean for sterilization reasons, but a dirty grill will also break down faster and become a fire hazard. Besides, who wants to look at a dirty grill?
Remove any exes traces and clean the grease tray after each usage with soap and a washcloth. Remove any residue from the grill surface with soapy water and a cloth, then wipe away any grease.
After a weekend on the lake, I like to clean the grill and easy-off it before removing the old pressure washer and washing everything properly. After cleaning the grill, dry it with a towel and put it away for future usage.
By regularly cleaning your grill, you will make it last longer and function better.
Related Topics
Installing Grill On A Boat
There are many different ways to install a boat grill. A guardrail attachment, rod holders and pedestal attachments are all available. After determining the ideal location for your grill, consider accessibility and usefulness. Then, get the correct components and install it following the manufacturer’s instructions. Some well-known grills come with legs that may be used on a tabletop.
Grilling On A Small Boat
Use a pedestal mount on the swimming platform of your small boat to ensure safety while grilling. This will also put the grill in an open space, away from any potential hazards. Make sure to select the right size grill; you don’t have much room to work with!
Boat Grill History
Magma Products was founded in 1976 by Jim and Jerry Mashburn, identical twin brothers who loved to barbecue. They were two young California boaters who enjoyed sailing as well as barbequing. Unsuccessful attempts to install grills on their boat due to the poor quality of the materials used.
The porcelain metal grills from the 1970s were subpar and did not last long. After a short time, the grill attached to Jim and Jerry’s boat rusted beyond repair. The twins knew that stainless steel would be more durable in such an environment and set out to make their own salt-resistant grill using this material.