Boating is one of the world’s most well-known methods of travel. Though primarily used as an alternative method of transporting products overseas from where they were manufactured or as a shorter method of travelling between two nearby countries or cities, boating has become more leisure activity. Whether it’s used as an alternative to camping or just a way to spend a warm afternoon out on a calm lake, many boaters often look for a way to bring or even cook food while out on the water.
This is one of the many reasons that marine grills were created and manufactured. In modern times, these grills are a recommended item to have when going out on a lake but aren’t entirely needed. But when you plan to spend the entire day out, a couple of snacks and veggie platters won’t be enough. So, having a portable marine grill is quite handy.
If you’re considering what kind of marine grill to get, check out this article to get some of the best tips on what you should look into and consider first. There are many great portable grills in BBQ Canada that can be perfect for your next boating trip.
What to consider for your grill
Before you actually go ahead and buy that barbecue grill for your boat, make sure you know it fits a specific set of recommended guidelines. While boats are frequently quite sturdy and won’t see too much damage to the hull or deck, it’s a good idea to make sure that your grill won’t accidentally set anything on the boat on fire. So, to be safer and to have a fun experience out on the water, it’s a good idea to check that your perfect grill has at least some of these specifications.
What fuel source the grill uses
Much like with barbecue grills on land, check to see what your marine grill uses as fuel. While some boat-worthy grills use natural gas to create infrared heat for cooking, you can still find propane or charcoal fueled marine grills. Though the propane tanks and grill bowls are likely to be smaller to fit on a boat, the potential fire hazard still remains. With charcoal being just a little more dangerous than propane, with how unpredictable ocean and lake waves are, make sure you have a proper way to keep any hot coals in the grill.
The shape of the grill
When it comes to getting a barbecue grill specifically for your boat, the shape it has also played an important role. Though it doesn’t affect the overall safety of the boat and its occupants, the shape of the grill itself can affect how effectively the boat can move.
Kettle grills are rounder and often smaller than their on-land counterparts. The rounded lid makes it so that the grill is more aerodynamic than other grills. On sailboats, having many of your items and furniture being arranged or manufactured to be aerodynamic makes it far easier to get the boat to move efficiently.
Rectangular grills, on the other hand, frequently tend to be less aerodynamic. However, these kinds of grills typically give you a much larger amount of space to grill your food. If you don’t mind travelling a little slower than normal, but have more people on your boat, a rectangular grill is the best choice.
What material the grill is made of
Many marine grills are typically made out of aluminium, a metal that is somewhat resistant to the usual wear and tear that comes with water travel. However, aluminium grills are considered to be more of a budget-friendly option, meaning that they’re also more likely to wear down much faster. While a good amount of proper care should make sure that it lasts a fairly long time, your aluminium grill will likely need a replacement sooner.
If you’re looking for something much sturdier, marine grills can also be made out of high-grade stainless steel. Though they typically use 18-8 or another 300-series stainless steel – both of which are alloys that contain some combination of chromium and nickel – the metal used is very durable and will more than likely last far longer than a cheaper model. Since it is more durable, though, stainless steel marine grills are more expensive as a trade-off.
Mountable vs Portable
It’s also a good idea to get a type of grill you can mount onto the railing of your boat. Again, due to how the waters of the ocean or a lake can become choppy and rapid when you least expect it to, mounted marine grills make it so your entire grill won’t accidentally spill all of its contents onto your deck and into the water.
On the other hand, if you have some way to make sure that the grill won’t slide around when the water gets choppy, a portable grill can work just as well. Since you can easily just pick it up and move it somewhere else, portable grills are a good idea if you make frequent stops to coasts and want to take the barbecue with you.
Best grills for your boat
Magma A10-205
If you’re more interested in getting a kettle grill, this grill is one of the best choices. The A10-205 can be directly attached to the railing of your boat and the built-in handle makes sure that any high winds or fast sailing won’t have your grilling chicken legs sailing off into the sea anytime soon. Both the bowl and the lid can also be rotated – and the lid’s attached! – to prevent the coal from blowing out in a sudden gust of wind.
Cuisinart CGG-180T Portable Propane
As a portable and rectangular propane grill, this grill is a great idea if you have more people to feed while boating. With a 145-square-inch grilling area, you can easily cook eight burgers or eight steaks at the same time. The grill also comes with a stainless steel burner and a porcelain grate for great heat distribution.
Takeaway
What the best kind of grill for your boat can depend on a few factors. Kettle grills are smaller but far more aerodynamic making them great for sailboats while rectangles are larger but can cause a bit more drag. Before you make a final decision, consider what kind of boat you have and what you prioritise first.
