Boat-B-Q experience?

P

PaulNBriannaLynn

New member
We are shopping for a boat bbq and looking for some advice. I gave away our last one when we sold the last boat, because it wasn't cutting it. We had a big Magna Newport I believe. It was a really nice looking unit, but the performance wasn't really there. It was very sensitive to wind and would blow itself out with the slightest gust, and also had a big gap in the back near the hinge that let the breeze in. So most of the time we were stuck eating hot dogs over and over again, and only 1/4 of the grill space was hot enough to cook anything.

There must be something better, right? Should I look at the kettle style bbq that are very popular? Ive read they are too hot for cooking? What are people using and also satisfied with? Id like to be able to sear a steak, but also be able to cook more slowly.

I think I'd prefer gas over charcoal, even though I use charcoal only at home. It just seems too messy for the boat. Thanks!
 
I have one of the round magna grills and it works just fine. It is prone to being blown out by the wind sometimes but I just keep a eye on it. I use one of the mounts that goes into a rod holder. This allows me to move it form one side of the boat tot the other depending on the wind. I can mount it in one of three places right now and maybe four this summer. It does cook hot at times but I just flip the burgers or steaks more often. The new ones have a lid that is hinged tot he grill. The older ones like mine have a wire that the lid hangs from. I don't like that part but I live with it.

If I was going to try something else it would be a cobb grill.
 
I found the round Magma most unsatisfactory. It was fickle with wind, several parts broke (replacements VERY expensive) and it was a pain to stow with the mounting rod attached. It's in my scrap pile now. I just got back from my first trip with a coleman fold-and go. Its small, light weight, stows easily, is cheap (about $70) and it cooks great. You need a platform for it but it doesn't take up much space.
Pictures in my album: Mods.

Carpy
 
I also have the magna round kettle. Don't like it at all. Only has two settings, off and blast furnace. Really hard to cook with. If you want mine come and get it.
 
Yes this is the kinda feedback I'm looking for! I think I need to modify a portable weber or coleman type gas grill that is proven to work well. I could bolt the magma type rod holder base to one of these things and have the best of everything. I was never happy with my Magma. At home I have a big green egg bbq and a high end range. I cant have the options of blast furnace or off, as the only two settings.
 
Hope I'm not hijacking the thread. But I have a side question. Has anyone used a pizza stone on their BBQ? Supposed to transform the BBQ to more of an oven.

Martin.
 
When we bought our Stingray I had the dealer install a pedestal mount bbq on the swim platform(a Kuuma). Since the Stingray has no side rails, I thought this was my only option. In retrospect I now wish I had known about the rod holder mount. I would have installed some flush mounted rod holders in the gunwales.

I too found it very hard to keep lit in any wind. Sometimes a half hour just to heat hotdogs!! After being very unhappy with it for the last 2 seasons - I discovered that it stayed lit better with the lid up!?? :?
That was the last time I used it(Sept.) so I don't know if it was a fluke or if I am on to something. I have read that you are not supposed to use them on high heat with the lid closed.

regards, Rob
 
Heres a tip for the magma bbqs. Place a sheet of tin foil over the grill, light the gas and turn it on hi, place lid on, wait 5 mins at most. Open lid take off foil turn heat down and cook. Not only does it heat very quickly but it burns off anything that was on the grill. Because the surface of the grill is so hot it stays lit. dont think about it just try it :wink:
 
We had a Magma round grill, we used a round pizza stone to try to even out the heat and reduce the "blast furnace" effect. The pizza stone cracked. We tried covering the vents, finally we just said no. We do 95% of our cooking on a Coleman fold and go, compact, efficient and so good in the wind I got rid of the folding wind screen I built. We have acquired a Coleman camp oven to try a little baking. It works at home but we have yet to try it on the water. We have a one burner butane stove in the cabin and almost never use it.
 
I've got the magma round charcoal grill with wired lid. It's worked great for 20 years, wind, no wind. Mounts to a rod holder. We use it less and less as we are eating more simply when we are on the boat.

A 10 lb bag of pre soaked charcoal lasts us a week using the grill maybe 4 times. Our little factory installed butane one burner cook top does all the rest of any cooking we may decide to do.

I know a lot of boat folks live for the culinary pleasures of eating fancy on the water. We use to be there. Now we are too lazy.
 
We bought the standard round Magma grill a few years ago and love it. It has never blown out in the wind and we can turn the heat down to a reasonable level. I wonder if the newer ones have more adjustment. I have heard the blast furnace or off comment before and wonder if the problem was solved recently.

Regards,

Nick
"Valkyrie"
 
I seem to remember Tim Flanagan posting about a modification to the regulator valve for the Magma which reduced it's Napalm -like effect

M
 
I got the smallest Magma, Trailmate. It has been very good. Resistant to wind. The other night in Helena Montana it did a steak while 25 knot winds were blowing and temps in high teens. My chef (Carolyn) was cool but the BBQ was hot. Great steak! I had a Cobb prior and liked it but being briquettes took half an hour to be ready. This little Magma has the same 7500btu as the bigger Magma so does well. Just right size for a couple. George
 
Maybe I'm in the minority, but I love my round Magma grill with "wired" lid. Just gotta learn to use it. I also bought those charcoal brickette looking volcanic rocks and cover the bottom as much as possible, they heat up and hold the heat. The lid attaches to the edge with it's inside large washer (many people never knew that), good for lighting the flame in a wind and also for checking/turning the food. I heat the grill up on medium for 3-5 minutes, clean the grill, then turn down to low generally. Still cooks pretty fast but is manageable and have had trouble with the wind only one time that I can remember, about 20-25 mph -- but when it's that nasty outside, we cook inside now.

I've owned the same model grill on the last 3 boats, about 20+ yrs.
 
Steve,

The lava rock in the bottom is a really good idea. That would help prevent flare ups and spread the heat out more evenly. I may have to buy some of those whatever grill I decide to pick up.
 
Here's another option for mounting a BBQ. Mine is the Magma Trailmate. But my invention will take any small to medium BBQ. Check out the pics in Nomad Mods.

Martin.
 
Patti and Barry
I bought that Coleman Red fold down grill and it works great. Got mine on sale discounted because it was the display model. Works great at home, can't wait to bring it along on the boat.
 
I suppose I should update this thread since I started it! After being really dissapointed with the magma grill last time around and shopping for something better.... we bought a weber Q100 baby-Q and have been using it on the boat alot lately.

It isnt mounted to anything. I stow it under the dinette, and bungee it to the cooler in the cockpit or the lazarette hatch on the gunwale when Im grilling. It works flawlessly, will not blow out even in a strong wind and the flame is completely adjustable. It also has cast iron grill that leave nice char marks. I couldnt be happier with the performance of this well made little bbq.
 
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