BBQ and YOU

[Don n Cheri]

The Admiral says we’re thinking about a BBQ grill to mount on the aft rail, not sure how I convinced her of it, but ain’t complaining.

What do you like and what makes ya like it?

We've looked at the Magma and some others at Boaters World and don't understand the $$$$ difference.

Are there any pit falls to watch out for?

don

[beene]

Hi Don

I have the Sport Supreme Compact found here....

http://www.dowsar.com/bbq.htm

Specs...
Sport Supreme Compact - $269.99 SALE! $199.99

* Compact Size BBQ, Stove & Oven
* Stainless Steel Construction
* High Efficiency 7,000 BTU propane burner
* 144 square inches of grilling area (9" x 16")
* Electric Rotary Piezo Igniter
* Adjustable propane gas regulator
* Heat resistant phenolic resin knobs
* Freestanding Legs
* Optional mounting systems
* #67890

I find it works very well on a full low setting and does not blow out. I take it camping as it has feet to sit on when you take it off the boat stantion. I bought a 10' hose to go from the BBQ to a 10 or 20lb tank so I do not have to use the small green bottles all the time.


G

[delevi]

I have the Magma and have been quite happy with it. Not an oven per say but can also be used as a stove burner with the grill removed. Doesn't come with a latch to secure the lid while under way but a simple bungee cord does the trick. Not much use camping or any other uses off the boat since it threads on the mount. Not an isssue for me since I got it exclusively for the boat. The rail mount connection is very solid. The grill secures so it won't come out while under way. The valve for the propane cans is a bit tricky and I did lose one in the water. I think the replacement was around $35 So far, every meal I cooked on that babie was fantastic! The rail mount is sold separately and isn't cheap. Not sure about the other brands. Hope this little review helps.

Leon

[kziadie]

I too use the Magma, I have the party size kettle BBQ and love it. I would definitely stick with the party size because all these marine BBQs are somewhat small (mine will cook for 4 if you plan it right). Regardless of what you buy, make sure to have a plan to store the propane cannisters somewhere outside the cabin. Magma sells as an accessory a bag which clips on the lifeline and is big enough to hold 2 propane cannisters and 2 butane cannisters for my kenyon stove. It is weatherproof... it has not been removed from my lifelines for over a year and still looks new.

Kelly

[Frank & Meg]

make sure to have a plan to store the propane cannisters somewhere outside the cabin.

FWIW - I saw a mod somewhere where a fella had taken a length of fat PVC, drilled a bunch of holes in it, put caps on the ends and hung that from his lifelines as storage for propane. Seemed like a good (and cheap) idea to me.

[Frank C]

It might not be available any more, but this is what I use on my 26X:

Coleman Propane Stove & Grill


It has been available in Walmart for the past several years for about $75. I stand down in the cabin, facing aft, and cook with the stove facing into the cabin as it rests on the cockpit sole. Any propane leak would drain back across the cockpit and over the transom. It just fits the width of the cockpit, but needs an extender hose to mount the gas bottle.

I stow it on the aft-berth in a clear plastic box (after removing the propane bottle of course). The galley serves only as cook's counter space, and food stores are readily at hand. Probably not the best solution for a crowd, but it works well for a couple.

If you can find one (maybe eBay?) it's a great solution for the 26X.

[KayakDan]

make sure to have a plan to store the propane cannisters somewhere outside the cabin.

FWIW - I saw a mod somewhere where a fella had taken a length of fat PVC, drilled a bunch of holes in it, put caps on the ends and hung that from his lifelines as storage for propane. Seemed like a good (and cheap) idea to me.

I have a Force 10 Stow N,Go Barbecue mounted on the upper rail of the stern rail seats,and I made 2 PVC cannisters,and mounted them under the stern rail seats,attached with SS hose clamps. Each cannister holds 2-1lb cylinders.
I also have a stern anchor and rode stored in a cannister on the backside of the stern rail seats.

FWIW,I found that the stern rail seats are an excellent addition to a 26M. I can't imagine where I would store all that stuff without them!

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

i really like my FORCE 10 BBQ - SEA CHEF PROPANE BARBEQUE. smaller/lighter than a Magma for stowing. top remains attached (which i like).



i remember paying $99 for it and have seen it as low as $79. West Marine and Boater's World use it as a Private Label/House brand.

parts and accessories are available thru the manufacturer if needed.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[jeffz]

This was going to also be a topic i wanted to post, thanks for doing it.

Does anyone have any experience with the Dickinson Sea-B-Que?


I have seen comments on the Magma that they will not stay lit but have heard positive reports on the Force and Dickinson. Lets hear from the Dickinson owners!


Newbee with 26M, DF70 Suzuki on order

[kmclemore]

I have the Magma too, and I like it except that you really do need to use it where the grease can leak out overboard.

You might want to keep in mind that the Magma can also be used on land, at a picnic or such, by adding the leg kit.

[Randy McCotter]

I've got the huge force 10..... it doesn't have legs and I have it mounted to the port stern rail.... If I could rotate it another 45o then it'd be perfect. can easily cook for 4 with no problems of running out of space. The only downside is it's a little expensive. I think I paid $400.00 cdn two years ago.

[Catigale]

Ive got the Magma with an attached top and ignitor - both features are nice if you use the grill a lot - I dont like fussing with matches in the cockpit near all that fuel....

Make sure you get either the right size clamp or the adapter for your rail (which, like most Magma accessories, is pretty dear, as they say in the UK)

I cooked for 7 days straight on one propane cylinder (14 oz) but did buy meats thin cut so that they cooked fast. We used a second 14 oz cylinder for hot water cooking on the SS stove below, plus one hot water shower for the kids - three people, 7 days of meals on 28 oz of propane total. I now carry a third spare cylinder on these longer trips.

I didnt have any problems with grease coming out, but I pick meats like lean steak, chicken, and pork. No burgers with lots of fat.

- I power wash it each time I come back from a trip. Maybe we dont eat enough of that delicous Czech sausage like KM's house....

[Scott]

The only thing I dont like about the magma is the lid. You have to hang it iff the side of the grill and its a pain. I know theres a lanyard but I worry about shrimping it.

[Ivan Awfulitch]

Our Mac came with the Magma. Very nice grill, and we mount it on the aft lifeline stantion. Only 2 complaints: you need to light it with a match or lighter and the lid does not stay attached, only hangs with a cable. If I had to replace it I'd opt for the bigger grill with the hinged lid and igniter. Cooks fantastic and when we finish any visit to the boat we spray it with grill cleaner, then rinse it with the hose and it's ready for the next. I also think that a leg kit would be nice for shore grilling, but I bought a small grill for the dock for less than the leg kit.

[nedmiller]

I have the Magma with the hinged lid and love it. I did hit a tree with it...long story... and dented the lid. I bought a lid and blue cover from a guy at another sailing site and when it arrived, it was the lid that isn't hinged and the cover doesn't fit either...so if you DO drop you lid in the brink, contact me! The lid seems brand new.
Ned