Benefits of Having a Grill on a Sailboat
There are a variety of benefits that come with having a grill on your sailboat.
- First and foremost, having a grill on your sailboat enables you to prepare delicious meals while sailing. You do not have to wait until you get home or to a restaurant to enjoy some meals. Instead, you can prepare the meals right on your deck and enjoy with your friends and loved ones. Again, you do not have to carry food from home and eat it cold.
- With a grill on your boat, you can catch fish and toss it right away onto the grill. This is, of course, a great way of enhancing your fishing adventure and making your fishing trips even more thrilling.
- Grilling while on a sailboat is undoubtedly a superb way of making your boating trip even more entertaining. You can celebrate various occasions and create unforgettable memories with your friends and loved ones.
Factors to Consider when Looking for the Best Sailboat Grill
If you're unfamiliar with boat grills, buying the right one for you can be a bit overwhelming. Here are a few things to consider when you're shopping for the best sailboat grill.
The Size and Type of Your Boat
The size and type of your boat are among the most important things to take into consideration. You have to know where and how you'll set up the grill. You also have to keep in mind that sailboat grills are generally small in size to ensure that they fit perfectly in most boats.
The Grilling or Cooking Area
Sailboat grills are designed to be portable and fit in many types of boats. As such, they offer less cooking area than conventional grills. But even with that, you can choose a grill with a grilling area of about 160 square inches, which is the average size of most boat grills. This should be enough to grill around eight burgers. Nonetheless, you can choose a bigger or smaller grill depending on the size of your boat. Just make sure that the grill isn't too small to accommodate the needs of your whole crew and guests as this can be quite frustrating.
BTUs
The British Thermal Units (BTUs) measure the heat output that a grill offers. The higher the number of BTU, the more heat the grill can produce and this is of great importance during your grilling activities. Of course, you do not want a grill with a very high BTU as it can char your every piece of food. Instead, go for a grill that is efficient as far as its BTU is concerned. Something between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs should be enough.
Stability
The stability of a boat grill is one of its most essential features. Make sure that the type of boat grill that you choose comes with a stand that can stabilize it. Remember, the stability of the grill is crucial to your safety and the safety of everyone else, especially when the grill is in use, so you should never ignore it.
Choose the Right Type of Fuel
Boat grills have three fuel choices: propane, charcoal, and electricity. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Propane - This is unquestionably the number one choice for many boat owners and for a good reason. In addition to being readily available, propane is quite affordable and very convenient to store and carry.
Electric - These types of grills heat quickly but you have to have access to a power source, which can be quite challenging while out there on the water.
Charcoal - While most BBQ-lovers savor the tastes of charcoal-grilled meals, charcoal grills have seriously fallen out of favor in today's world. This is because they're slow and very dangerous as far as carbon emission is concerned.
Wind Resistance
Needless to say, there are no trees, houses, or walls to block the wind when you're out there sailing. As such, wind can be a great problem and that's why you should choose a boat grill that can stand up to the wind. Make sure that the boat grill is stable and has enough wind resistance to handle the typical wind load in the area where you will be sailing.
Materials and Build Quality
Material and build quality generally go hand in hand. You have to keep in mind that boat grills can be seriously affected by corrosion, so you should go for a grill that can withstand the worst weather conditions as well as corrosion. With that in mind, you can for stainless steel grills as they're the ideal choice but can be so pricey. You should avoid aluminum grills at all costs. If you have to go for something other than a stainless steel grill, you can choose a grill made from aluminum alloys as they're somehow corrosion resistant.
As far as build quality is concerned, make sure that the grill can seal uptight when the top is closed. The hinges of the lid should work smoothly and effortlessly. That's not all; the gas valve connection should be reliable, rock-solid, and devoid of the minutest of leaks. You should also make sure that the hose pipe is tight and cannot pop off. The grill should also have a double stainless steel lining to prevent the outer shell from getting too hot.
Price
Various boat grills are available in the market for various prices. Besides having a look at the main features that are of importance to you, it's essential to consider the price range of the boat grills. The best thing to do is to look for a boat grill that offers all the features that are important to you and is still within your budget.
The Best Sailboat Grills
Now that you've known the most important factors when looking for the right boat grill for you, let's jump straight into the best sailboat grills out there.
Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill
As the industry leader, Magma is widely known for manufacturing portable boat grills that are very popular with boat owners and the A10 Marine Kettle Gas Grill is one of them. This grill is essentially made of marine-grade stainless steel to ensure that it can withstand the harshest weather conditions while still making the best and sumptuous dishes on its infrared radiant screens.
This amazing grill is designed to give you the option of choosing between a 15-inch and 17-inch diameter, which is essential for the size of grill that you need for your sailing adventures. Its polished finish is ideal as it makes it easy to clean and to manage. This is an excellent boat grill that truly evokes the memories of a classic circular backyard grill but with a generous cooking area and bulbous lid.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Easy to clean
- Durable stainless steel construction
- Very attractive thanks to its classic profile
- Uses high-tech radiant heat distribution
- The fuel valve is conveniently and safely positioned
- The handles have air-cooled support
Cons
- Grill mounting isn't included
- The lid can get very hot
- The cooking surface is slightly small
Cuisinart CGG-180T Tabletop Gas Grill
Another great brand on this list on this list is Cuisinart, which is known for manufacturing some of the best portable boat grills such as the CGG-180T Tabletop Gas Grill. In addition to being portable, this grill is big and powerful and is made to stand the harshest of weather conditions at the sea.
Measuring 160-square inches, this grill is small and compact but offers a grilling area that's large enough to perfectly accommodate a dozen sausages, a half dozen steak, and a dozen chicken wings; all at the same time. In terms of stability, the legs of this grill are designed with rubber that can hold firmly on any type of surface. It can also firmly hug the boat's rails, which is essential in enhancing your grilling and sailing game.
This is a great boat grill, especially if you're looking for a fuel-efficient grill. The fact that it's designed with a porcelain/ceramic cooking surface gives it an edge on fuel efficiency as it doesn't burn as much propane as other grills. In essence, this is a sturdy and reliable boat grill from a dependable manufacturer.
Pros
- Very fuel-efficient
- Quite affordable
- Heats fast and evenly distribute heat
- Very stable thanks to its rubberized legs
- Easy to handle and transport
- Can be adapted or mounted on the boat's rail
- Offers a large cooking surface
Cons
- The lid can get too hot
- The igniter can easily fail
- Shallow dip tray
Kuuma Camco Stow N' Go 125 Gas Grill
This is a decent choice if you're looking for a mountable boat grill that's 100% made from stainless steel. This is an affordable propane grill that comes in various sizes ranging from 125, 160, 175, 216, and 316 square inches. This boat grill is known for its robust features, portability, and superior qualities.
As a lightweight unit that's easy to use and clean, this is a great boat grill for those looking for quality and delicious dishes. The legs can fold if you want to mount it and you don't have to worry about its safety aspects.
Pros
- Durable and made from stainless steel
- Easy to set up and use
- Easy to clean
- One of the best mountable boat grills
- It comes already assembled
- Offers a wide range of cooking surface area
Cons
- Not ideal for small boats
- The lid can get hot
Camco Stainless Steel Portable Propane Gas Grill
Every boater surely prefers a boat grill that's not only portable but can also offer a more satisfying and convenient grilling experience while sailing. The Camco Stainless Steel Portable Gas Grill suits this profile and is ideal for our boating and grilling adventures. With a 180-square inch cooking surface area, this boat grill makes it quite easy to prepare sumptuous meals for several people at the same time.
This boat grill is easy to use, easy to clean, and requires very little maintenance. Perhaps the best thing about this grill is that it's already assembled and ready to use. Its compact size makes it ideal for almost any type of boating adventure. Its heat distribution may be a letdown but its fuel efficiency is up there with the best.
Pros
- Very easy to use, clean, and maintain
- Offers ideal cooking surface
- It comes completely assembled
- It's very durable
- Comes with sturdy mounting bracket
Cons
- Uneven heat distribution
- The smoker plate can crack prematurely
Smoke Hollow 205 Stainless Steel Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
Imagine a boat grill that offers you a 205 square inch cooking surface area and a 10,000 BTU. This is a perfect boat grill that will not only impress you with its enormous cooking surface but gives you the chance to entertain a huge number of guests and loved ones. This is a highly durable boat grill that is made from stainless steel and can serve you excellently for many years to come.
This grill is one of the most functional, affordable, and portable boat grills available on the market today. It has one of the best temperature games in the industry and can make some delicious dishes for you, your friends, and your loved ones.
Pros
- Offers a huge cooking surface area
- Easy to install and use
- Perfect for pontoon boats
- It is modern and functional
- Very portable
Cons
- The lid doesn't work well as air can get in the grill
The above-described boat grills are the best in the market today and will make your sailing adventure much better, especially when you're entertaining your friends and loved ones.
