The 9 Best Boat Grills
This wiki has been updated 21 times since it was first published in July of 2018. Just because you're on the high seas (or the local lake) doesn't mean you can't enjoy some decent hot food, thanks to these marine grills. Depending on the model, they can be attached to the rails on your boat, be pedestal mounted, or simply placed on a flat surface, so you can throw the day's catch on one of these BBQs as soon as you reel it in, giving you the freshest meal possible. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Magma Marine Kettle
2. Masterbuilt SH19030819
3. Cuisinart Grill Pontoon
Editor's Notes
December 15, 2020:
Cooking with propane at sea comes with its dangers. Whether you are using a galley stove or outside boat grill, care should be taken when it comes to connection, leak-checking, and the installation of propane tanks. Rubber gas lines can deteriorate quickly under UV sunlight, and should be replaced regularly.
The Camco Portable was added to the list as a great all-round grilling solution for any outdoor activities, including marine use. It reaches cooking heat quickly, is compact, portable, and can be moved around by its handle even when lit if you need to get it out of bad weather or strong winds. It was not a like-for-like swap with the Magma Newport 2, which was removed from the list as it was a dated model with limited availability.
We added the Masterbuilt SH19030819 which replaces a similar grill, again for availability issues. The Masterbuilt SH19030819 is well made from stainless steel, has a warming rack, and boasts 288-square-inches of cooking space. It is good value for its size and quality.
September 20, 2019:
There are few things better than spending a day on the open water, except perhaps cooking yourself up a juicy steak or tossing a fresh catch right onto the grill while you are out there. That dream can become a reality with any of the models on this list. Before waxing lyrical about our favorite units, we want to start with a quick safety note. Boat BBQs should never be operated during inclement weather, when experiencing high waves, or when the vessel is in motion. Also, while many of these units don't come with mounting hardware, we always recommend securely mounting your grill before using it.
Ask any cruiser what kind of grill they recommend, and you'll probably hear Magma come up a lot, which is why it is no surprise they claimed our top two spots. With a 162 square-inch grate, the Magma Newport 2 is large enough to cook a full meal's worth of protein and veggies for two people at one time. Plus, it features a built-in thermometer and glass viewing window that make it easy to get the perfect cook on your food. If you don't need quite as much grilling space, nor any fancy extras, you can save a few bucks and get the round Magma Marine Kettle.
If you have a vessel with square rails and don't want to deal with buying or rigging your own mounting hardware, you'll want to look at the Modified Smoke Hollow 205 and Extreme Marine Cuisinart, both of which come with Arnall's Stainless Grill Bracket Set.
Those who prefer not to mount anything to their rails out of fear of scratching them, will appreciate that the Kuuma Stow and Go, Magma Kettle 3, and Magma Marine Kettle both support pedestal mounting. Also, the Kuuma Stow and Go is designed to work with both small and large propane tanks, which many sailors may like.
The Giantex OP3243, Pit Boss Grills Pit Stop, and Cuisinart CGG-306 may not be specifically marketed for marine use, but their stainless steel construction makes them suitable for such a purpose. However, you may have to put a little more work into figuring out the best mounting solution for them.
Special Honors
Weber Go-Anywhere The Weber Go-Anywhere propane grill is a simple product that is notable for the quality of its construction. It has a porcelain-enameled steel grate for easy cleaning and better performance, three handles for ease of transportation, and can feed two or three people at once despite its compact size. weber.com
4. Kuuma Stow and Go
5. Camco Portable
6. Magma Kettle 3
7. Giantex OP3243
8. Pit Boss Grills Pit Stop
9. Cuisinart CGG-306
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.