The Best Boat Grills for Freshly Caught Seafood
Summer isn't complete without going out onto the lake, catching fish, and grilling your catch right on your boat. Add some beer, sandwiches, and music, and the memories are priceless. Boat grills come in all types, from charcoal and propane to electric grills. But to narrow down your options, this buying guide highlights the best boat grills of 2024 for your freshly caught seafood. Our top pick is the Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill for its quality and material, and our other recommendations might just suit your needs as well. To learn more about boat grills, read our buying guide below!
Our Top Picks For Boat Grills
The Best Boat Grills of 2024
Best Overall
The kettle gas grill from Magma is a popular choice amongst boat owners. It features high-quality stainless steel construction with a circular design and bulbous lid with an exterior that’s finished in 18-9 mirror polish. Plus, it also incorporates a useful combination of easy-to-clean grease catch pan and a wind baffle.
This grill is one of the quickest to heat up because of its radiant and convection cooking. The lid is hinged with a cool-touch handle for easy operation and you can also use it as a windshield in gusty conditions. Due to its amazing quality, convenient features, and sleek design, it’s no wonder that we’ve chosen this boat grill as the best on our list.
Pros
- Mirror-polished stainless steel construction
- Dual heating methods
- Includes a grease catch pan
Cons
- Mounting bracket sold separately
- Lighting the burner is awkward
Best Propane Option
The Grill2Go boat grill by Char-Broil is a good option for grilling enthusiasts. This grill is made with high-quality aluminum, weighs only 20 pounds, and is available in a classic black color. It features a high-impact framework with legs and handles. Not only that, but the 200-square-inch grilling grate gives you enough room to work properly. The grill comes with a cast TRU-infrared cooking system that provides you with even cooking each time.
Pros
- High-impact frame
- Cast aluminum firebox with lid
- No flare-up TRU cooking mechanism
Cons
- Temperatures can be too high
- Expensive when compared to others
Most Budget-Friendly
The Cuisinart portable gas grill is another popular choice among boating fans. This grill weighs just over two pounds and features a 145-square-inch grilling area where you can cook up to eight burgers at a time.
It comes with a 5,500 BTU burner that gives an even heat flow throughout the grate, allowing you to cook big batches of food evenly. The grill also has an integrated lid lock that keeps the lid secure while in use. Other than that, it comes with a carrying handle for easy transport.
Pros
- Portable option for smaller boats
- Enameled grate for even cooking
- A budget-friendly option
Cons
- Requires a separate gas supply
- The handles are quite heavy
Best Charcoal Boat Grill
Weighing 145 pounds, the boat grill by Masterbuilt is a famous option for grill lovers. It uses charcoal as its fuel and provides you with the ultimate barbecue fun. The grill has a digital panel for temperature and fan control. It can load up to 16 pounds of charcoal briquettes and up to 10 pounds of lump charcoal.
Using paper to ignite the grill, you can achieve a high temperature within minutes. You can also find a temperature gauge and meat probe to get the perfect cook every time while the digital panel makes it easy to operate. It has two racks, providing a total of 560 square inches of cooking space. And, for those who value versatility, this grill can also be used as a smoker if grilling starts to get a little boring.
Pros
- Porcelain-coated racks
- The meat probe and thermometer gauge included
- Easy-to-use digital panel
- Two-in-one grill and smoker design
Cons
- Requires power support
- Charcoal can be messy
Most Durable
With a 10,000 BTU stainless steel burner, the Royal Gourmet GT1001 is a good choice for barbecue lovers. It features a 280-square-inch cooking area, with a separate 75-square-inches for its chrome-coated warming rack. When assembled, the grill measures 27.17 x 17.32 x 14.17 inches and is 19.6 pounds in weight, making it suitable to carry around anywhere.
This boat grill features an easy-to-use piezo ignition system. Meanwhile, the built-in thermometer, folding legs, and compact design make this grill an amazing option for outdoor adventures. Lastly, the stainless steel drip tray gives you access to easily clean and maintain your grill properly.
Pros
- 305-square-inch total cooking area
- Easy push-button style
- Easy to carry and store
Cons
- Can be tough to clean
- Expensive when compared to other options
The Ultimate Buying Guide to the Best Boat Grills
Fishing is a great summer pastime, and it’s even more fun when you can actually eat your catch while you’re out on the lake or river. As we all know, fishing requires a lot of items and equipment, from fish bait to help you catch fish to fish scalers to help you prep your fish. The last step is the best one of all—finally cooking your fish. Boat grills are the perfect way to enjoy your fresh catch, and you can even bring pre-prepared meat on board like barbecues. There are plenty of boat grill options out there, so here is a convenient buying guide to help you find a suitable one.
Choosing a Great Boat Grill
A boat grill helps create an ambient atmosphere while on the water. These are some factors that you should check to make sure the grill you purchase meets your needs:
Cooking area
While the overall dimensions of the boat grill do matter, the primary cooking area it offers should be your number one concern. This means the grilling surface of the appliance with direct heat under it.
The cooking area on most boat grills ranges from 125-square-inches to 266-square-inches. While there is no limit to the amount of food you can cook on a grill, having a big cooking surface produces bigger batches that are more suitable for feeding a party.
Number of burners
Where many full-sized BBQ grills boast six to seven burners, the number of burners on a boat grill is restricted to one or two at max. This is mainly because of their compact size.
If faced with a choice between a single and double burner boat grill, we advise you to choose the double burner. It gives you control over both ends of the grill, allowing you to cook steaks and veggies at the same time.
Weight
The weight of the boat grill is an important consideration for a few reasons. For one, you will be the one lifting and carrying it to the boat. For another, if your grill is not meant to stay there for the entire season, you’ll need to dismount it every time you disembark. So make sure that the boat grill you purchase is easy enough for you to lift.
It is also important to ensure that your boat is capable of supporting the extra weight. Remember that a boat can sink under too much load. A heavy grill can easily set off the balance of a small boat, causing it to turn over.
Safety Considerations for Using a Boat Grill
Take a look at these precautions to safely use your boat grill every time:
- Put it out once the cooking is done to eliminate fire hazards.
- Never engage the grill while the boat is moving.
- Refrain from using gasoline, grain alcohol, or any other non-approved accelerant to get your charcoal grill started.
- Don’t use the grill for any other purpose than cooking.
- Make sure that the marina rules allow open flame on the premises before starting your grill.
Care and Maintenance
So you have installed a shiny new grill on your boat, but did you know that even the best boat grill requires regular care and maintenance to preserve its shiny new look? Here’s what you can do to prevent your grill from becoming victim to the elements:
Keep the exterior clean
Since your boat will be spending most or all of its time in the water, your boat grill is also at risk of water damage. It is important to protect your grill from moisture and one way of doing so is to wipe its exterior clean.
Being on a boat means your grill is also prone to water splashes and, if you forget to wipe it, the tiniest drop can cause corrosion. Be sure to clean its exterior after every use. If you have a protective cover, be sure to use it to keep the grill covered and protected from harsh sea environments.
Clean the interior to remove buildup
Cleaning the inside of the grill is also important for maintaining a sanitary cooking environment. When you cook food inside it, grease and small food particles accumulate. If not removed, they are likely to attract bugs and other insects, creating an unsanitary environment.
If the grill is removable, you can easily uninstall it for cleaning purposes. But if it is fixed, you’ll need to clean the drip tray as well as the grates separately. Use a wire brush to remove the tough buildup. Follow this up with soapy water to eliminate the remaining greasy film.
Make sure it is installed securely
While there are some free-standing boat grills available on the market, most boat grills are installed on the rail of your boat. You can attach them when needed for cooking and detach them once the job is done.
If yours is detachable, make sure to mount it securely to the rails. A boat ride is a bumpy trip — you don’t want your grill to topple over on either side of the railing.
Keep your rail clean
If you have installed the boat grill rail along the outside edge of your boat, there is a solid chance that grease and food splatters will land on the rail and the surrounding area.
These stains are not just unsightly; the greasy ones on the ground can pose a slipping hazard. You should clean the rail and the surrounding areas regularly to eliminate the risk as well as to increase your boat’s aesthetic appeal.
People Also Asked
Is it illegal to grill on a boat?
No, it is not illegal to grill on a boat. However, you should exercise extreme caution and care while using one. Use it in an open space and be cautious of the wind making burning ashes fly around. We suggest investing in an electric grill as it is the safest option to use on a boat.
Is it safe to use a propane grill on a boat?
Yes, a propane grill is also a suitable choice to use on a boat. In fact, it is a go-to for most people because propane not only costs less but is readily available too. A propane grill is easier to start and clean than a charcoal grill. Plus, there is no risk of burning embers or soot flying around that you have to be careful about.
Can I grill on a pontoon boat?
Yes, you can grill on a pontoon boat. The wide-open space of a pontoon's deck can easily accommodate the grill and the supplies needed for cooking. In fact, a BBQ is one of the greatest events any pontoon owner can host.