Buying Guide
Now that you have gotten an overview of the best boat grills out there, you might be really confused about which one to pick.
Don’t worry, we have prepared an in-depth guide for you. Here you will find all the things you need to focus on while buying a boat grill.
What’s Your Boat Type?
This is the first thing you need to focus on. Not all boat grills fit the same type of boat. The ideal place for a boat grill would be a boathouse, which let’s be honest none of us have.
The next best thing would be to install the grill on a pontoon boat. Pontoon boats are great for casual hangouts with friends or a small family party.
If you have a pontoon boat, having a grill is kind of mandatory! Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat is a good one to try.
Another great boat would be our good old fashioned fishing boats. A 30-feet or larger fishing boat has enough room for a decent-sized boat grill.
Boats that shouldn’t have any grills are sailboats and speed boats as they are riskier and can cause a fire hazard.
Mounted vs Tabletop:
Do you want a mounted boat grill that will be set with the boat railing? Or do you want a convenient option that can be placed anywhere to cook?
This is a personal choice. Everyone has a different opinion on it. Make sure the one you are buying has the feature you are looking for.
We think it’s smarter to go for grills that can do both even if it costs a few extra bucks. Check out Flame King RV Or Trailer Mounted BBQ for dual style.
Types of Fuels:
Choosing the right types of fuel is important as this is the heart of the grill. There are three main types of grills: gas, charcoal, and electric.
Propane/ Gas:
In our experience, gas grills are the most common and easy types of grills available. They are so popular because they have numerous advantages.
Gas grills are fast, efficient, and really affordable. You can find gas canisters anywhere you go. They are low maintenance and comparatively safer in harsh environments.
Our top pick for gas grill is NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill.
The only downside would be, you don’t get the signature charred BBQ smokiness with a gas burner.
Charcoal:
If you are only judging by taste and flavor, nothing can beat charcoal grills.
Charcoal grills are the traditional way of cooking grilled meat. It adds a delicious smokiness to the meal while keeping it tender and light. You can’t get this flavor in any other way.
For a great charred taste check out Kuuma 58110 Stow N Go Charcoal Grill.
The obvious downside is, you have to carry the charcoal with you which adds a significant amount of weight.
Charcoal grills are also hard to maintain and temperature control. If you are a newbie then this is not for you. You also can’t use charcoal grills in wet environments.
Electric:
This is a really convenient type of grill if you have electricity on board. You don’t need any additional fuels to buy and it takes zero preparations.
A popular and durable choice is George Foreman 5-Serving Multi-Plate Evolve Grill System.
The only issue is, most boats do not come with electricity. Also, it’s considerably more expensive to cook on an electric grill than a gas one.
Materials:
Boat grills need to be made with a material that can handle the harsh weather and coastal air. SO buying a durable one is necessary.
Stainless Steel:
Stainless steel is so far the most popular and durable material for boat grills. The 300 series in particular handles harsh environments really well.
Coastal air contains much more salt than normal air. Salt destroys most metals and creates rust. Rust is basically cancer for metals. Stainless steel is rust free thus perfect for a boat.
Magma Products, Marine Kettle 3 is a solid stainless steel option. It is also our top pick!
Aluminum:
Another option that some companies use is aluminum. Aluminum has a bad reputation for discoloration and rust.
However, there are some brands that make a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy that is as good as stainless steel.
Aluminum is also lighter than stainless steel. So if you buy an aluminum grill, make sure it’s corrosion-resistant otherwise, don’t buy it.
Check out Char-Broil Grill2Go TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill.
Portability:
As you want to travel everywhere with your boat grill, it needs to be light and easy to pack. So look for foldable legs with padded handles or straps for easy transportation.
Smaller grills have a smaller cooking surface and that’s something you have to accept.
We have added great options with a bigger cooking area but obviously a portable grill won’t have the same grilling space as a standard backyard one
Cuisinart Petit Gourmet Gas Grill is a good choice as it has extendable legs for easy setup.
Do not buy a big grill as you will have a hard time enjoying your trip with it.
Warranty:
Always check for warranties before you purchase a product. As good boat grills are not cheap, you want to use it for a longer time.
A warranty simply puts our minds at ease. If anything goes wrong, you can simply contact the manufacturer and they will fix it for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
01. Are boat grills different from normal grills?
Boat grills are basically a smaller, more compact version of a standard backyard grill. You can travel with it anywhere to enjoy a delicious juicy barbecue.
Boat grills come with mount brackets that you can attach to your boat railing for convenient cooking. They are designed to handle harsh weather changes and rough transport. So they are more durable than average grills.
Boat grills are also energy efficient due to their smaller size. You don’t need that much fuel to cook for 5-6 people.
Their cooking surface, obviously, is much smaller than standard grills. But compared to other portable grills, they have more functions and features.
02. Is it legal to grill on a boat?
Yes it is. But only if you follow safety rules to not create any fire hazards. The most important thing is to put your grill far away from clothes, wood, or anything that can cause a fire.
Another important thing is to properly mount your grill to the surface or railing. If you decide to put in on a table, you have to screw it properly so that it doesn’t move.
If you try to cook fish, make sure the state where you are fishing does not have any prohibitions against certain fish species.
If any coast guards find you with the exception to these rules, you will get into some serious troubles. So make sure to grill safely.
03. Can a portable grill cook for 5/6 people?
The time is gone when portable grills meant cooking only two chicken wings at a time. Most modern boat grills come with plenty of cooking surface and high heat fuel system.
You can easily cook for up to 4-5 people with standard boat grills. If you go for a bigger size, you might be able to cook for more than 6 people.
Portable boat grills come with precise temperature control, dual gas chamber, air shields and so much more. You can have a barbecue party with your friends and family and enjoy a great time together!
04. Is it safe to grill on a boat?
With modern grills that are specifically designed for boats, it is completely safe to have some delicious barbecue without any worry.
Barbecue grills are made out of sturdy and strong materials that can last years without even a scratch. You then mount the grill with strong-grip screws to the railing of the boat or a fixed table.
There is no way your grill could move while you are using it. So there is no fear of any accidents.
One thing you have to make sure is to not grill your food on any wooden surface. The good thing is, no boats have wooden furniture or decks anymore. So it is totally safe to grill on a boat.
05. What can you grill on a boat?
You can grill basically anything on a boat. From juicy chicken wings to beef ribs and pork belly, you can have fun with your menu. You’re forgetting the obvious thing, fishes.
If you plan to go fishing with your buddies, you can enjoy fresh barbecue fish on the spot with your boat grill. It’s so convenient especially if you like to fish quite often.
You can make steaks, kebabs, pork chops, hamburgers, hot dogs, seafood, shrimps and so many more!
Conclusion
A boat grill can truly add so much joy and fun to your life. Finding the best boat grill for you, however, is not so fun.
Hopefully, with our curated list and guide we have managed to help you. We have selected the best options with high functionality and portability.
Now that you have all the information you need, hurry up and pick a grill to start enjoying mouthwatering dishes anywhere you want to travel to!
