Are Grills Worth The Trouble?

[Little Wing MDR]

I just bought a boat that came with a Magma Kettle Grill. We cooked out last weekend and I was a bit underwhelmed.

I'm kind of leaning towards taking it off and going with canopy with davits for my dinghy.

Wondering whether it's a necessity or a perk?

What's the consensus out there?

There is a stove/ oven in the galley, so I can still cook.

[cal40john]

Seems like a personal choice. If grilling is important to you and you don't like this one, get a better grill.

If you don't care about grilling throw it away.

[ChrisJHC]

A lot of grills don’t cope well in windy environments as it draws the heat away.
That may have been a factor.

[Oeanda]

The gas fired Magma has some pretty dark reviews. We have the charcoal version. It’s great when we... want to grill something. The rest of the time it just sits there harmlessly.

[bobnlesley]

Originally Posted by ChrisJHC

A lot of grills don’t cope well in windy environments as it draws the heat away. That may have been a factor.

We had a rail mounted Magma charcoal grill which we used perhaps 3x/week in the Mediterranean, 3x/month in the Caribbean and maybe 3x/year in the Pacific Islands; the easy availability of decent barbecue meat was one factor, but wind conditions were certainly the main one.

[Fore and Aft]

Little Wing MDR I unbolted mine and left it in the marina laundry swap pile. It took a fair while for it to disappear.
Cheers

[dwedeking2]

Hated the magma grill when I had it. Hard to control temperature.

Replaced with a portable weber propane grill and love it. Also we use it in the cockpit so we avoid wind issues.

[OldManMirage]

I consider a grill almost a necessity, but then I really love to grill.

I would also agree that if you don't have anything to grill, then you don't need one.

I've only had one little mounted propane grill - it was NOT a Magma - but it worked well and I enjoyed it.

I have been considering a small stand alone grill that I could tuck into a locker for my next one. Just a thought.

[sailormed]

Sorry wrong answer but I read the title as “Are Girls Worth The Trouble”.
I have my own answer for that question 😊

[thinwater]

For me, davits = 100 , grill = 1.


The question is whether you want davits. The grill can be moved to a side rail (this boat has both).

[BillKny]

I love to cook, and I have yet to find a well Made stainless steel grill that lets me turn out food I am proud to serve. So for me, meeh.

But I have a large, well equipped galley. If I was on a much smaller boat I would probably feel differently.

[wingssail]

BBQ'ing on my Magma Kettle is almost a ritual for me. I probably do it 4 times a week and I have for years. It is a chance to chill out for a few moments by myself and contribute to the meal preparation while Judy cooks rest of it.

I put some of my favorite music on the outside speakers, take a glass of scotch, and think about whatever.

• Wind: I don't have much of a problem with this. I mounted the kettle so the lid protects it from the wind, and the big flame (see next points) helps.
• I bought a low pressure gas control so the BBQ can use my main propane tanks
• I selected the gas control made for a bigger size kettle so I can get a bigger flame (for searing steaks, etc)
• I use my solar panel as a table. During racing season, when the solar panels are off I have a small Magma table.
• We eat late and I often BBQ after the sun goes down because in the summer it is cooler then
• We use it at anchor and at the dock.
• Magma Kettles are really crappy and don't last long, so be prepared to buy a new one every few years, and it is impossible to keep them shiny
• I remove the Magma Kettle for racing and for ocean passages. (the gas line has quick disconnects)
• The Magma Kettle is small and light for easy storage and easily removable.
• When the burner disintegrates, I make a new one out of the bottom of a beer can. They last longer.
• My neighbors enjoy my music, and when they hear it they know I'm BBQ'ing.
• Biggest problem is I'm done too quick.

[HighTemp]

Originally Posted by dwedeking2

Hated the magma grill when I had it. Hard to control temperature.

Replaced with a portable weber propane grill and love it. Also we use it in the cockpit so we avoid wind issues.

THIS!

My wife insisted on a brand new Magma gas grill when we moved aboard our current boat. Within a week, I was ready to toss it overboard! In my opinion, it was a extremely expensive, poorly made, poorly designed waste of good stainless steel. The gas regulator design was horrible, again in my opinion.

I went back to a Weber Q series and have not regretted it for a minute. Much higher quality, better heat control, much larger cooking surface and far less expensive.

The only challenge would be mounting it on a rail if that is what is required, but all it takes is a bit of ingenuity. Being that we live on a Cat, nothing required other than a flat surface.

[sail sfbay]

Personal preference. Lost a grill grate racing our sailboat so took the grill off and now use an electric grill on the sailboat. I have one mounted above the dinghy davits on our sundeck powerbooat and use it all the time.

[Don C L]

I love the magma my buddy has on his boat. When we are anchored up, he barbecues, I get to eat what he cooks.