Best Marine Grills for Boats – Reviews & Buing Guide

Nothing beats a barbecue with friends while enjoying your trip on the water. These are the most memorable moments in life. Also, having a grill on a boat makes life so much easier. No need to go on land to have a great dinner. You can now grill right from your boat.

There are important factors you should consider when choosing a grill, such as how often you’ll do the grilling, the budget, the method of cooking, and the boat size too.

What’s the point of using a big grill on your boat if you don’t have enough place to store it?

So how do you find the right grill? Well, here is a list of the best marine grills for boats and a buying guide so you can make the right choice. Check out the top picks!

Post Updated: 11 January 2023

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TOP RATED

1# Cuisinart CGG-608 Chef’s Style

Average Rank: 4.6 out of 5

When it comes to buying a portable propane tabletop grill, the Cuisinart CGG-608 offers you a design that is built to last for years. Weighing 22 pounds, this portable grill is made of high-quality stainless steel with firm lids that remain locked during transit. Moreover, the legs are foldable, which makes them easy to store and move.

Also, it houses a large dripping tray that can handle excess runoff with ease. The two propane burners produce 20,000 BTU of heat, which is enough for anything that you want to grill. The unit has an easy and quick twist-start ignition switch.

The 42-inch hose connects effectively with a standard propane tank. Regarding performance, the Cuisinart CGG-608 stands out from the rest in its class. You can cook almost anything on this amazing grill. So, whether it is a whole chicken or wrapped pork, you don’t need to worry about that.

In short, the Cuisinart CGG-608 is a high-quality product that can grill a lot of food, and it’s portable. Cuisinart offers a 3-year warranty on this product. Customers who bought this grill are extremely satisfied with its performance.

Pros

  • Well built
  • Heats up and cools down fast
  • Cooks exceptionally well
  • Excellent heat distribution
  • Easy to use

Cons

  • Some users complained that the return window is short for such a high-priced item.
  • Several reviewers found that the stainless steel was not thick enough and discolored quickly.
  • A few buyers said the control knobs aren’t installed properly.

Specifications

  • Brand: Cuisinart
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Dimension: 17 x 21.5 x 26 inches
  • Weight: 53 Pound
  • Type: Propane
  • Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

2# Cuisinart CGG – 180 T

Average Rank: 4.1 out of 5

The Cuisinart Petite Grill comes with a bracket attached and fits boat rails perfectly. With this grill, you can feed a regiment without a problem. As compact as it looks, There is enough space to grill steaks, chicken, hamburgers, and hot dogs, to name a few. This grill has legs allowing you to use it as a table barbecue, too.

You are not only restricted to using it on your boat, but you can also bring it on your camping trip. The propane tank is placed horizontally on the back of the grill, which is extremely practical.

It features an electronic igniter, but some Amazon users stated that it becomes inconsistent sometimes. So you should always have some matches or lighters within your reach. This grill is all set up, the only thing you have to do is to fix it on your boat, and you are good to go!

Pros
  • Superb service
  • Durable
  • Compact
  • Fits well on Pontoon boats
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • Expensive compared to other grills on the list

Specifications

  • Brand: Cuisinart
  • Material: Alloy Steel
  • Dimension: 12 x 18 x 13 inches
  • Weight: 13.50 Pounds
  • Type: Propane
  • Warranty: 3-year limited warranty

3# Smoke Hollow Propane Gas Grill

Average Rank: 3.8 out of 5

The Smoke Hollow 205 is a grill that you can use anywhere. It’s compact and foldable, making it easy to carry. Whether for boating, camping, or picnics, it ticks all the boxes! This grill is made of stainless steel, hence is easy to clean.

The Smoke Hollow has 305 square inches of cooking surface. The hit is evenly distributed and allows you to cook your food perfectly! One-pound propane bottle is what you need to power this grill. You can add a larger tank if you want, but you will have to buy an adapter separately to connect the propane to your grill.

As for the quality, it’s not the best, but it gets the job done, and it’s affordable. Some Amazon reviewers stated that they had to press several times on the ignition button to light up the grill but once lighted up, it worked fine.

 
Pros
  • Compact, easy to carry around
  • Affordable
  • Great cooking surface
  • Easy to clean
Cons
  • No side handles
  • Not the best material
  • Propane cylinders not included

Specifications

  • Brand: Masterbuilt
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • Dimension: 15.75 x 26.85 x 11.81 inches
  • Weight: 20.3 pounds
  • Type: Propane
  • Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

4# Char-Broil Grill2Go TRU-Infrared Propane Gas Grill

Average Rank: 3.9 out of 5

The Char-Broil is a portable Grill that features an infrared cooking system, enabling you to make your food tasty and juicy. This grill is also compact and can be carried easily. Its frame is high and has handles on the sides that make it convenient to move it from one place to another.

Its two latches on the front allow you to secure the grill, which makes it safer and easier to move around. The Char-Broil is lightweight and has a generous cooking surface “200-inch square”, hence capable of cooking meals for a large group of people.

The good thing about the Char-Broil is that it is completely windproof. You can cook without worrying about your grill burning out in windy conditions. Its body is made of cast aluminum.

This material is durable and withstands fantastically rust as well as distributes heat evenly. Plus, it comes with a well-padded bag to hold all your stuff. There is no doubt you will enjoy this grill for many years to come!

 
Pros
  • Powerful
  • Distribute heat evenly
  • Portable, easy to carry around
  • Affordable
  • Easy to use
Cons
  • Can not be mounted on the trail of the boat

Specifications

  • Brand: Char-Broil
  • Material: Aluminum
  • Dimension: 23.7 x 15 x 13.6 inches
  • Weight: 20 pounds
  • Type: Propane
  • Warranty: Most parts: 1-year limited warranty- Lid 5 years warranty

TOP PICK

5# Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill

Average Rank: 4.3 out of 5

The Magma Marine Kettle is a great grill that comes in two different sizes. 15 and 17 diameters, giving you more options for your boat.

The Hinged lid is solid and well attached. It will remain stable and won’t blow off even if you grill on a windy day. The side-mounted handle allows you to remove the cover without burning your finger — no need to use hot pads anymore.

The Magma lasts a long time if you take care of it, but it tends to rust out when exposed to saltwater due to its low-cost stainless steel construction. So it is imperative to clean it after the grilling if you want it to stay on the rail of your boat for many years to come!

The only inconvenience with the Mama Marine is that the mounting system is not included. You will need to buy it separately so it can work properly on your boat.

This grill features a slow setting, which is excellent for cooking vegetables and roasting. Some Amazon users stated that the cooking on the Magma is faster than on a traditional home grill due to its round design and smart burner.

 
Pros
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Well built
  • Lots of space
Cons
  • Need to adjust the controller to get the right cooking.
  • Does not include any mounting system

Specifications

  • Brand: MAGMA
  • Material: Stainless steel 
  • Dimension: 15.6 x 15.3 x 6.5 inches
  • Weight: 11.5 pounds
  • Type: Propane
  • Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

6# Magma A10-603 Adventurer Series Gas Grill

Average Rank: 3.9 out of 5

This is another great grill of the Magma brand. It is designed for using propane fuel canisters, and it’s built with stainless steel, which is durable. Thanks to its foldable legs, it is easy to store and use anywhere. This grill is very simple to mount and demount, making the cleaning task so practical.

There are some accessories that you can buy to customize it, such as a small plate to cut the food and a bag to store your grill and other parts. The cooking surface is relatively small compared to other grills (162 square inches), but you’ll be able to cook for at least two people at a time, which is ok.

There is a latch on the front that allows you to secure the lid whenever you need it. It features other great parts, such as a plastic handle to lift the lid without burning your hand, a radiant plate for cooking food evenly, and a swiveling control valve regulator, so you have the option to use the RV gas or small bottles.

 
Pros 
Cons

Specifications


7# Charcoal: Magma Products Marine Kettle

Average Rank: 4.5 out of 5

If you get tired of not having enough place to cook your food on your grill, then the Magma Kettle will please you! It has 200 square inches of cooking surface, allowing you to cook lots of food for your guests. This Charcoal Grill will save you time; It cooks faster than many other grills on the market.

It is made of polished stainless steel, which is why it is so durable and easy to clean. The lid is well attached to the grill; no need to worry about it getting close in windy conditions. This awesome grill is super well designed; it withstands saltwater marine environments and will last for a decade.

It can be adjusted to the height you want, allowing you to cook comfortably. Its variable draft door makes it easy to control the temperature as you can open it or close it completely while cooking. It features heat resistant plastic handle on the front of the grill, which allows you to lift or pull down the lid without burning your hands.

There is a wide selection of accessories and mounting options to choose from, but they are not included, so you will have to buy them separately. The Magma Marine Kettle is very easy to clean since the pieces are easy to remove.

Pros
Cons

Specifications


8# Kuuma Premium Stow Charcoal Grill

Average Rank: 4.1 out of 5

The Kuuma Stow is a grill that you can easily carry anywhere thanks to its compact size and foldable legs. This grill can be mounted on your boat’s trail. Know that the bracket is not included, so you will have to buy it separately.

With the Kuuma, you can use standard fuel bottles and even larger tanks if need to. It is made of Stainless steel and includes a removable grease tray, allowing you to clean it easily.

The cooking Surface area is 160 square inches, which gives you enough places to grill your hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, and more. If you want a great grill that you can store easily and cook from everywhere, then this is definitely the right choice for you!

 
Pros
Cons

Specifications


9# Camco Kuuma Portable Gas Grill 

Average Rank: 3.8 out of 5

The Camco Kuuma is a fantastic grill for boats. The construction is of stainless steel, which is easy to clean and it’s durable. The cooking surface is not really big (175 square inches), but it will allow you to cook enough tasty food for your friends and family.

The Camco Kuuma and the Magma look much alike, but there are some differences between them. For instance, Magma is less expensive. The Camco’s mount plate features bolts while the Magma is welded. The handle on the Camco is metal and on the Magma is plastic.

The Camco has one grill, and the Magma has three grills, making it easier to clean. This grill has legs, which is perfect for camping trips. It comes with a rail mount so you can keep it secure on your boat. The Camco looks great and cooks very well too. Its quality is as good as the others listed in the article and surprisingly is less expensive.

Pros
Cons

Specifications


10# Solaire Anywhere Portable Infrared Propane Gas Grill

Average Rank: 3.5 out of 5

The Solaire Anywhere is a conveniently portable grill that can be mounted on boat trails or can be used for any outdoor trip. This infrared grill cook fast and makes your food juicy and tasty thanks to its infrared burner. The Solaire Anywhere is made of 316 stainless steel, which is known for withstanding saltwater corrosion.

The cooking surface is 140 square inches, which is enough to grill some nice pieces of steaks, hot dogs, and vegetables. There are two latches on the front to secure the lid so you can carry it comfortably.

It features a V-Shaped Grate enhancing flavor while reducing flare-ups. It has an electronic push-button ignition, which you will greatly appreciate as it makes it easy to light up the grill. Additionally, it comes with an adapter hose, allowing you to barbecue with propane tanks.

Pros
Cons

Specifications


11# Master Built Portable Propane Grill

Average Rank: 4.3 out of 5

This grill is lightweight and has a secure handle on the lid, making it easy to carry. In addition, the lid locks down, and the legs are foldable for easy storage. It’s the perfect portable grill to take on your boat and use when you pull up to any onshore destination.

Inside the grill is a U-shaped burner to ensure excellent heat distribution during cooking. You can choose a range of temperature between 500 and 700 degrees. The grade is detachable, making the cleaning easier than ever. This is a propane grill, but know that the propane bottle is not included. Thus you’ll have to buy it separately.

Pros

Cons


Specifications


Guide to Buy a Marine Grill

Boat grill
Material

The material is crucial since this is what will determine the longevity of your grill. Marine-grade stainless steel material is what you need to look for. There are two types of stainless steel, 304 and 316 grades. The 304 offers some corrosion resistance and is cheaper than the 316 grade. The 316 is more expensive but withstands more corrosion and lasts longer. Both 304 and 316 are easy to clean, and both withstand corrosion, but the 316 is the winner in every category!

Size

The larger, the better. You never know how many people will be at the party. But keep in mind that if you buy a large grill, you’ll need places to store it. Obviously, if your boat is small, then you want a small grill. But today, there are small grills on the market that are convenient to transport and have generous cooking surfaces to cook plenty of food.

Charcoal

There is nothing tastier than a steak or a fish cooked over a charcoal grill, and that’s because the high temperatures and the direct heat make the food incredibly delicious. The problem with Charcoal is that it is not always easy to light up, and it takes time until it reaches the proper cooking temperature. Also, Charcoal is messy, and if it falls where it shouldn’t, it could dirt the place or become dangerous.

Propane

Propane grills are extremely popular, and many boat owners swear only by them. Why is that? Because they are easy to use, the fuel is inexpensive, they are not difficult to store, and the cleaning is a real breeze compared to charcoal grills. Although propane grills are practical, they do have their own drawback.

For example, it could be dangerous to use a propane grill above an open locker. If a gas leaks, it may cause a disaster. So if you choose propane, just take precautions! A good method is to tie a rope to the mounting pole so that if something happens, you can quickly toss it overboard. Anyway, it is highly advisable to get a portable locker especially designed to be dropped overboard in case of an emergency.

Electric

The good thing about electric grills is that they are safer than charcoal and propane grills. Also, you can use it anywhere on your boat without having a fear of dirtying your deck or igniting the boat. The downside is that they consume electricity, and if you don’t have a generator or any electricity source from outside, then it won’t work.

Mounting Options

There are a few mounting options to consider when installing a grill on a boat. The most used mounts by sailors are the deck sockets and the rod holders. For pontoon boats, a railing bracket system will suit best.

Infrared Grill

Infrared grills have become extremely popular in the last few years, and there are good reasons for this. The preheating time is quicker, it reaches high temperatures, it cooks faster, and the food is much tastier. So think about it!


How to Clean and Maintain Your Grill

Even if you choose the best stainless steel quality, it will corrode after a while because of the food, the grease, and the saltwater. If you want to extend the longevity of your grill, you’ll need to clean it and cover it with a grill cover.

You will want to clean the stainless steel surface as well as the grate before and after cooking on your boat. Note that stainless steel scratches easily, so please never use either an abrasive agent, metal brush, or steel wool to clean the shell. Use a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft rag, and you are good to go. Clean the grates with a high-quality stainless steel grill brush when it is still warm. It will be much easier.


Safety Tips

1. Always stay near your grill, and never leave it unattended while the food is cooking.
2. Keep children and pets away from the grill
3. Never grill while boating.
4. Make sure your grill is well secured to the boat trail
5. Always read the instructions that come with the grill
6. Many marinas do not permit grills, so it is advisable that you check with the marina before you start cooking.
7. Make sure you install your grill far away from electronics and machinery
8. Make sure your propane connection is well-tight and doesn’t leak.

Final Words!

With this list of marine grills, you should have no difficulty finding a great grill for your boat. If you are hesitating, then I would highly recommend the Magma Marine Kettle. It’s the top pick. It has an excellent rating on Amazon, and reviewers are extremely happy with this product. It’s durable, easy to use, clean, to mount, and it has a generous cooking surface.

More articles

What is your favorite boat grill? Feel free to share it in the comments below.

14 thoughts on “Best Marine Grills for Boats – Reviews & Buing Guide”

  1. I really love the look of your highest rated grill from this list, the Charcoal: Magma Products Marine Kettle, but unfortunately, it doesn’t come with the mounts. Do you have any recommendations of your favourite mounts, or at least what I should be looking for to buy the best mounts for this grill?

    Reply
    • Hi Josie,

      My favorite mount is the gourmet style grill mount because it’s easy to fix on the boat and it leaves the boat railing unmarred.

      You should try this out; I am sure you’ll love it!

      Let me know if you need help with anything; I’ll be more than happy to assist.

      Thank you for the comment, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day.

      Reply
  2. I’ve done a lot of sailing, mainly in the Med and around Greece, but none of the boats I sailed were equipped with a marine grill. They look like a great idea, but I was wondering what your view of them was from a safety perspective. Are they completely safe to use on board?

    Another thing I wondered was more a question of the cosmetics of the deck and in particular the finish. I have a wooden deck at home which I BBQ on and when the coals fall onto it, as they invariably do, it leaves a nasty mark. What are the chances of this happening with a marine grill?

    Love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Hi Les,

      Yes, these grills are safe on board, but they are rules to respect to avoid any inconvenience as you would with a car on the road. As simple as that. Don’t forget that you deal with fire and gas:). So take your precautions! Well, it depends on the type of grill. For instance with electrical or an infrared grill, you won’t have to worry about dirtying your deck or what so ever as they don’t work with coals. Now of course, if you use coal grill, then chances are it will fall on your deck and leave marks.

      I hope it helped. Let me know if you need more info. I am always happy to assist.

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day.

      Reply
  3. OMG, I feel like I should jump inside that boat right from iPad as I type. I could feel the joy from within and the kind of happiness around friends on the boat grilling. 

    I love your  in-depth article on this topic. It can be use by both beginners and experienced people alike. It is very informative. And easy for people to follow. I can see most of these grilling machines can be use both on boat and land. Thank you 

    Reply
    • Hi there,

      Yes, that’s right Augusta, some of the grills can be used on land too. I am glad this article has inspired you!

      Let me know if you need help, I’ll be more than happy to assist!

      Thank you for the comment and wish you a lovely day!

      Reply
  4. Good day, I’m pleased to meet you. Well, you have provided a number of marine grills, giving a wide choice to get those that will be great for anyone’s boat. I have noted Magma Marine Kettle as your recommendation, I hope it’s one of the best. I love those that are easy to use, carry, mount and clean. This is helpful, thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Hi there,

      Yes, the Magma is our top pick grill. We love it, and I am sure you’ll love it too!

      If you have questions, please let me know. I’ll be more than happy to help!

      Thank you for the comment and I wish you a great day.

      Reply
  5. Hi, I know these are marine grills, but are they different from the ones we use on the ground? Why I ask this question is because I already have two grills that seem to work just fine for me. We have recently purchased a boat and I was wondering if I should get a grill specifically for my sailing trips or carry the ones I have. 

    Anyways, I will have to do a bit of reading on the subject. Thank u for this information too.

    Regards,

    AB

    Reply
    • Hi Aparna,

      If your grill has legs, you can put it on a table if you have one. Just take your time to read the Grill buying guide I have written. I am sure you’ll find it useful. If your grill doesn’t have legs and the only way to light it is with fire, I would recommend you anchor your boat  and make a barbeque on land.

      I hope this helped. Let me know if you need more info, I’ll be more than happy to assist.

      Thank you for the comment and I wish you a great day.

      Reply
  6. The variety of these grills makes it an interesting exercise to choose, but you did a great job of breaking it down for us with each one. I’m quite surprised by the popularity of the charcoal grills. Undoubtedly, they give the best outcome in taste! 

    Are these grills just specifically for boats, or can they be used for bush camping? I come from a place of safaris and summer camps and if these grills have dual purpose, they’d make really awesome gifts.

    Reply
    • Hi Pam,

      Sure, you can use any of them for camping, no issues at all:) Charcoal grilling gives a better taste; I guess this is one of the reasons they are so popular.

      I hope it helped. Please, let me know if you have more questions; I’ll be more than happy to assist.

       Thank you for the comment and I wish you a lovely day

      Reply
  7. We cook out in the boat a lot, so we use our grill regularly in the summers. We had another Magma grill. It died after 15 years of great service. We figured we got our money’s worth, so we purchased another one.

    Reply
    • Hi Dalton,

      Magma is a great brand; they make high-quality products. Fifteen years, that’s a long time:) Awesome, I am glad you bought a new grill for your boat.
      If you have any questions, please, let me know. I am always happy to help.
      Thank you for the comment, and I wish you a lovely day.

      Reply

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