Best Pontoon Boat Grills for a boat
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Best Pontoon Boat Grill

(Last Updated On: May 24, 2022)

Best Pontoon Boat Grill

A relaxing day on the water with your family, friends, and trusty pontoon boat wouldn’t be complete without food. Water and sun tend to bring out the hunger in everyone, so bringing snacks and sandwiches from home sometimes just doesn’t hit the spot.

Enter the pontoon boat grill. That’s right, it is time to look at pontoon boat grills so you can have delicious meals without leaving the comforting sway of the water.

BUYER’S GUIDE TABLE

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PRODUCT NAME SUMMARY

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet

Overall Rating – 4/5

Even heating over a porcelain-enameled grate will have great meals cooked in no time so you can get back to enjoying life on the water.

Magma Marine Kettle A10-205, Gas Grill

Overall Rating – 3/5

This gas grill is uniform in color – sleek, shining silver. A stainless-steel shell lines the inside of the grill to help keep the outer shell cooler.

Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill

Overall Rating – 4/5

This stove can be used for all sorts of cooking. You can use the griddle or grill that are included, or even use it like a stove.

Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill

Overall Rating – 4/5

You won’t have to worry about its lid slamming shut in the wind, thanks to its tough hinged design.

Char-Broil Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Boat Grill

Overall Rating – 4/5

This is perfect for general safety and smaller boats since movement is sometimes hindered. It has a 200-square inch cooking surface area that will fit a nice meal for a family.

Coleman Camp Propane Boat Grill

Overall Rating – 3/5

On the sides are two foldable panels that can be used as side tables for meal prepping or as wind guards.

Kuuma Stow And Go 160 Propane Boat Grill

Overall Rating – 3.5/5

It was designed for fixed-mount application to your boat, and can look stunning mounted on the side of your boat.

Arnall’s Pontoon Grill Bracket Set

Overall Rating – 4.5/5

They are made with marine stainless steel mounts made for pontoon boats. If you won’t be using the grill for a trip, simply dismantle and store them somewhere out of the way.

Product Reviews

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit

This Cuisinart grill brings the best in both portability and stability. As long as you have a flat surface on your boat, the two side legs will provide a sturdy base for your cooking needs. We make use of what we can storage wise on our boats, so no worries here, the legs fold up underneath the grill.

There is about 145-square inches of grilling area for you to use. What does this mean in real terms? Well, you can cook 8 burgers, 4-pounds of fish, or approximately 6 to 8 chicken breasts. This grill gives you plenty of space to cook while still allowing you room to meal prep on the side.

Even heating over a porcelain-enameled grate will have great meals cooked in no time so you can get back to enjoying life on the water.


Pros

  • Durable stainless body
  • Uniform heat
  • Built-in thermometer

Cons

  • Small sized grease tray can be an inconvenience
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Magma Marine Kettle A10-205, Gas Grill

Sleek in appearance and great for cooking, this Magma stove and grill will be a great addition to your pontoon boat. This gas grill is uniform in color – sleek, shining silver. A stainless-steel shell lines the inside of the grill to help keep the outer shell cooler. This is for your safety, but it also prevents discoloration. It might be easiest if this grill is mounted onto your boat as it does not fold up for convenient storage. Luckily, the lustrous design of the grill makes it a beauty to have for show on the boat. Not only a keeper in the looks department, this grill heats up fast and the temperature is dispersed evenly. The lid is hinged and perfectly balanced to help prevent slamming shut.


Pros

  • Sleek appearance
  • Great for mounting
  • Even heating

Cons

  • No grease tray
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Coleman Road Trip Propane Portable Grill

This larger-sized Coleman grill is convenient and sturdy for use on your pontoon boat. It stands tall on thick, stainless steel legs. Smaller-sized boats that do not have as much flat surface areas will benefit greatly from this standing pontoon boat grill. Even though it stands and is larger, the legs, chassis, and side tables all collapse in seconds making transport and storage a breeze. There are two fully adjustable burners along with two side tables. The large surface areas make meal prep and cooking easier while on a boat. This stove can be used for all sorts of cooking. You can use the griddle or grill that are included, or even use it like a stove. If you plan on being on your boat for long periods of time, this versatility is ideal. This grill does run on propane, so make sure that you have the proper equipment before heading out on the water. Read the manual included before use to make sure that you are following all safety measures.


Pros

  • Easy to transport and store
  • Versatile
  • Fast heating

Cons

  • Can be difficult to clean up
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Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill

Featuring both convection and radiant cooking, this sturdy stainless steel gas grill will be a trusty companion on your boat. You won’t have to worry about its lid slamming shut in the wind, thanks to its tough hinged design. This grill heats up quickly because of its radiant heat distribution function so you can get cooking.


Pros

  • Strong hinged design that doesn’t slam shut
  • Heats up quickly
  • Easy to clean polished stainless steel

Cons

  • Assembly instructions aren’t really clear
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Char-Broil Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Boat Grill

This is a smaller sized portable grill, similar to the Cuisinart brand mentioned above. Char-Broil Grill2Go is portable with a lid that latches for easy, one-handed carrying. If you have a smaller sized boat party, then this grill is perfect for you. It is built tough with a high-impact frame, so dings or drops won’t be a huge issue. There is another style that comes with a case to make carrying it even easier. The outside is made from cast aluminum with two stainless steel latches for the lid. TRU-Infrared cooking technology helps prevent flares. This is perfect for general safety and smaller boats since movement is sometimes hindered. It has a 200-square inch cooking surface area that will fit a nice meal for a family.


Pros

  • Prevents flares
  • Portable
  • Latches close

Cons

  • Temperature control regulator can be faulty
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Coleman Camp Propane Boat Grill

Coleman is a well-known grill brand and does not fail with this propane-based grill. It is smaller than some others on this list with a 180-square inch cooking surface area. However, like many Coleman products, this one makes efficient use of space. On the sides are two foldable panels that can be used as side tables for meal prepping or as wind guards. Perfect Flow pressure control technology keeps cooking temperatures consistent, even on cool, windy days on the water. Between the side panels and temperature control technology, this grill will steadily cook all your food, no matter outside conditions. The cooking surface itself is removable so you won’t have to struggle to keep this one clean. Its Perfect Heat technology also provides efficient cooking with less fuel needed.


Pros

  • Easy to clean
  • Great for windy or calm weather
  • Consistent heating

Cons

  • Grill grate can warp when during cooking over time
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Kuuma Stow and Go 160 Propane Boat Grill

This budget friendly grill by Kuuma is quite the looker. The shape and overall appearance of the grill is quite unique. It was designed for fixed-mount application to your boat, and can look stunning mounted on the side of your boat. It will conveniently take up space that otherwise goes unused. However, if you do not want to mount this grill to your boat, that is perfectly fine. The legs are collapsible, and this can slide under boat chairs for storage. The grease tray is easy to remove, so cleaning will be a bit easier. The whole grill is made of stainless steel, which gives it the classic shine and makes it easy to wipe down. You can purchase the single arm mounting bracket separately, if you plan on mounting it to the side of your boat. The grill is lightweight, at about 8-pounds, so keep that in mind when using this on a day with choppy waters.


Pros

  • Slick-looking appearance
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy to attach to railing

Cons

  • There is no protection from wind, so flame outs can occur
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Arnall’s Pontoon Grill Bracket Set

Arnall’s pontoon grill bracket set is a necessary accessory for some boating grills. You can attach your grill to the side rails of your pontoon boat. These work with most brands of grills and it comes with a drip tray and all other necessary hardware. These require open fence railing and you may need to drill into the bottom of your grill for proper installation. They are made with marine stainless steel mounts made for pontoon boats. If you won’t be using the grill for a trip, simply dismantle and store them somewhere out of the way. Installation is easy as long as you follow the mounting instructions that are provided.


Pros

  • Heavy and sturdy
  • Easy to install
  • Works with most grills

Cons

  • Can damage the rails on your boat if not installed carefully
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Features of a Great Pontoon Boat Grill

There is a nice variety of grills that you can purchase for your boat. This is wonderful; however, it can cause some confusion when trying to make a choice. We will go over some of the features that you should expect to find in a great pontoon boat grill.

Fuel

Variety in grill types includes variety in ways to get the grill working. That’s right, you have your choices in fuel: Charcoal and gas. Coal’s biggest winning argument is that it provides a more full and robust flavor to food. However, coal can be incredibly inconvenient to store and handle. If you can handle the mess and find a dry location to keep the coals stored, this is not a bad option. Some forms of coal can burn for much longer than gas.

Gas, such as propane, is usually pretty convenient on newer boats that come equipped with a gas line. It is easier to store and less messy to use.

Heating

Consistent and even cooking is definitely a major plus when it comes to grills. This will ensure that your food is properly cooked all around. If you are buying from a store, you can ask the seller to start the grill up and test uniform heating out yourself.

Durability

Like most things, you will need to look at higher-end models if you desire higher quality items. Many boat grills are made with flimsy, cheap materials that will not last long. This is perfectly fine for those who do not grill often, but others will want something more robust. When looking at pontoon boat grills with durability in mind, look for well-known brands that offer generous warranties.

Grill Shape

There are two main shapes of grills: Domed and rectangular. Both come in some spectacular designs that will look great in your boat, but they bring different benefits to the table.Wind and heat reflection are benefits provided by a domed grill. Meanwhile, square or rectangular grills offer a larger surface area for cooking.

Necessary Accessories for a Boat Grill

Accessories can take an amazing grill to a whole new level of awesome.

Grill Mount

When grilling on a boat, a grill mount is nearly a requirement. The movement of the boat on water creates a dangerous environment for a grill that is simply sitting on a surface, especially if you have children on the boat. Grill mounts will attach the grill to your boat’s railing to keep it up and away from foot traffic.

Grill Brush

Cleaning is the evil step-sister of cooking. It has to happen in order to prevent bacteria, residue, and grim build-up.

Grill Cover

When your grill is not in use, you will need to keep it covered. This will prevent damage from rust, dirt, and grime, but will also keep insects and animals out.

Pontoon Boat Grilling Safety Tips

Let’s make sure that you are going to have a safe experience when using a grill on a pontoon boat.

  • Read the manufacturer’s guide that comes with your grill.
  • Only use the grill when it is mounted or properly anchored.
  • Always check propane connections before and after use.
  • Do not leave your grill unattended.
  • Let the grill cool completely before storing.
  • Keep your grill clean.

Conclusion

Now that you have read this guide, you will have a better idea of what grill and accessories you want to have on your pontoon boat. You are armed with knowledge about how to safely use a new grill, and ready to go. Apply the heat, don’t chicken out, and prepare to get cheesy: It is time to get grilling.