There are plenty of manufacturers of marine grills that pass off cheap-quality grills that don’t even work all that well on land as the best pontoon boat grills. Then what happens is these units simply cannot tolerate the high winds of the ocean. At the same time, water and moisture cause the grill to rust sooner than expected. It’s a shame you had to pay extra for that!
So if you plan to grill the next time you’re thinking of spending time on your pontoon boat, then make sure to buy one of our recommendations on this list. The different types of models shortlisted here are certainly the right ones for every marine and grill enthusiast.
Review of the Best Pontoon Boat Grills
1. Arnall’s Pontoon Grill Bracket Set
You have to buy this sturdy, high-quality stainless steel grill along with the brackets of course. And the brackets, just by the way, are pretty easy to attach. No doubt, this one’s highly recommended for mounting on a pontoon boat.
If you have a Coleman grill, then expect this grill bracket set to fit perfectly with it. Along with that, the performance against windy conditions is also quite praiseworthy.
Key Features
2. Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat
During installation, make sure to flip the included brackets. It’s a part of the easy-to-understand instructions that Cuisinart provides along with its great, high-quality pontoon grill. Because if you don’t flip those brackets, the heavy grill is most likely to lean towards the water.
As for performance, it’s a fantastic grill that cooks and heats up food perfectly well. In fact, the grill fits a larger quantity of food than expected. And no problems when it comes to all your delicious food staying on top of the grill when the boat’s moving.
Key Features
3. Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill
If you and your loved ones spend your summers cooking out in your pontoon boat, then this Magma grill is specially made for you. Firstly, just a one-time purchase is bound to last for as long as 15 years. Now isn’t that great service and getting your money’s worth!
The grill can actually cook food when the heat is at its lowest setting. Perfect for grilling chicken and pork chops slowly without running the risk of overcooking them, right? You can even grill juicy, delicious barbecue pork chops!
Key Features
4. Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill
This tabletop and mountable grill heats up perfectly well. The legs that are a part of the design do seem a bit thin. But that shouldn’t be a problem considering that you’re most likely to use the grill on your pontoon boat.
You can remove the grease tray quite easily for cleaning. More importantly, Kuuma Stow and Go cooks hamburgers, chicken, hotdogs, etc. without any major complaints.
Key Features
5. Magma Products Connoisseur Series Gas Grills
First off, the grill is extremely easy in terms of installation. Secondly, this one’s not like most other grills out there that grill nothing more than just brats or hotdogs because of the weak flame. Magma grills are perfect for cooking ribeyes too, even when the winds are traveling at 7 to 10 miles per hour.
And what’s also amazing is the fact that the grill comes off the pedestal and legs fold out. So feel free to carry it with you to the nearest campground as well.
Key Features
6. Springfield Marine 1940052 Deluxe Barbeque Grill
How do you like the idea of 8 hotdogs and 6 brats cooking at one and the same time on your pontoon boat grill? Just fit this one at the back of your boat, and that’s about it.
The flame tends to go out sometimes. But you can make that more infrequent by not closing the lid completely for venting.
Key Features
Key Features When Buying A Grill for Pontoon Boats
Housing
Stainless steel is the most common material used for constructing marine grills. The marine application involves being in a saltwater setting, for which stainless steel seems like the most suitable choice. To be more specific, this should be 316 stainless steel. It has a high resistance to corrosion and also high tensile strength.
Then there’s 304 stainless steel, which offers standard corrosion resistance, strength, and formability. The majority of pontoon grills are made using this type of steel. It’s polished for a mirror finish that makes cleaning much easier.
Housing should also include a double lining. The double liner here protects the grill from potential gas leaks and becoming discolored. Plus, it adds safety by keeping the outer shell cool to touch.
Fuel
Another very important factor is the type of fuel you use for operating your grill. The most common option is propane or gas. Then there’s charcoal too. Charcoal grills are cheaper and offer that perfect smokey flavor. But propane is more convenient, cleaner, and easier to store.
So it all depends on your personal preferences, along with your cooking style.
Shape and Size
The first option here is a domed pontoon boat grill. It works better when it comes to reflecting wind and heat. As for rectangular-shaped grills, these feature a larger cooking surface. So decide what matters more and then buy.
Moving on to the size of the grill. Do you want something big enough that can cook more pork steaks, fish, hotdogs, burgers, etc.? If yes, then you might appreciate the 22 inches rectangular pontoon grill. But if the size is not an important consideration, then maybe a 15-inch or 17-inch kettle/dome grill seems perfect.
Whatever the shape and size, remember that a bigger grill means the use of more fuel for maintaining the temperature.
Type of Mount
Some of these grills demand a pontoon rail mounting system. While others come with a shore stand, which means they stand alone. But then a few of these you cannot use on your boat’s deck. At the same time, not every grill that requires mounting to the pontoon railing is equipped with the necessary mounting hardware. So be mindful of such factors when buying.
Heating
What makes the experience flawless and more enjoyable is even, consistent cooking. It can either make or break the whole experience, right? Because who doesn’t like their food to cook properly!
So make sure the grill is outfitted with features that deliver uniform heating, especially when the wind speed and conditions are not in its favor.
Push-Button Ignitions
It is a common feature indeed, though not essential. Nevertheless, a push-button ignition does make the operation much safer and easier.
Safety Tips for Grilling On Your Pontoon Boat
It’s only common sense to keep in mind the following instructions when grilling on a boat.
Frequently Asked Questions
No doubt, pontoon boats are a great place to unwind, relax, and even entertain. The large open deck of this particular boat offers a lot of space for family, friends, and loved ones to spend time together. As for if you can place a grill on the boat, the answer is yes. It is legal to put a grill on pontoon boats. But avoid grilling when your boat’s underway as that is dangerous.
It is indeed safe to grill on your boat, but only when it’s anchored or tied up. Don’t grill when the boat is underway. Also, make sure to supervise the grill during operation. And once done, turn it off immediately.
Deck boats like pontoon boats, because of their design, are more suitable for clearer and calmer settings of the ocean. Alternatively, bowriders work better when it comes to operating at higher speeds to handle rough waters.
A new pontoon boat, more often than not, lasts from anywhere between 10 and 20 years prior to any repair or replacement of the different parts.
Apart from a marine grill of course, the list of the most highly recommended accessories includes a diving board, under-deck lighting, boat shoes, rod holders, cooler box, fire pit, water trampoline, etc. Essentials include emergency light, ski ladders, ski tow bars, boat cover, and corner bumpers.
As for gadgets, you can carry an emergency spotlight and remote grill thermometer.
Summing It Up…
So that’s about it as far as choosing the best grill for your pontoon boat is concerned. Different types, shapes, sizes, materials, and even fuel options are discussed. So you can buy one that fits your boat as well as your personal preferences.
Don’t make an impulsive decision here. Consider all the important factors. And make it a point to stick to the list of recommendations. Because you don’t want to end up buying a low-quality or inefficient marine grill just because it’s cheaply priced. Or just because it’s falsely marketed as a pontoon grill.
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