Cobb and other BBQs

Blackfeather

Blackfeather

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Joined
21 Dec 2004
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2,220
Location
Now on the Thames
www.blackfeatherboatcharter.com
Does anyone have any views on the Cobb and other BBQs.

Ideally I would like something that fits on the SS rail on the transom, but those advertised in the chandleries are north of £200. Are they really worth that or is it better to get a stainless steel BBQ and try to heath robinson some sort of rail fitting?
 
I have a Cobb which SWMBO bought despite me pulling a long face at the 2007 boat show. We already had a pulpit SS BBQ that came with the boat, so we now have both.

Asked to choose (without SWMBO present), I would choose the Cobb every time.

Its perfectly safe, used on deck or even on the cockpit table, a few coals burn for hours with no external hot surfaces to worry about scorching the surrounding surfaces, its easy to transport to the beach for a BBQ. It can be used to BBQ and to roast, we have successfully cooked chickens and joints of meat, with great results.

It is even safe to use inside in my opinion providing you have a good through draught to clear fumes.

When no in use it packs away into a smaller space than the pushpit BBQ.

The only one disadvantage I can think of is that if you have kids climbing all over the place an unsupervised Cobb could be kicked over, but then an unsupervised BBQ is pretty dangerous no matter what the design.

As liveaboards we use the Cobb constantly and its right up there with the beer cooling fridge as a marvellous, essential bit of technology

So, all things considered, (through grinding teeth /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif) SWMBO was right, its a great versatile product, and if this one ever wears out we shall immediately replace it. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
We have a COBB and love it, we do not have a need to rail mount it as it is perfectly fine to sit on the cockpit table.

Best results we have ever had on a BBQ, from standart BBQ fodder like steaks etc through to roasting chickens etc. One big plus is they are the cleanest solid fuel BBQ's I have seen especially if you fuel them with Cobbs own Cobble stones.
 
I fitted a gas BBQ to the stern of our last boat, hung over the stern so any mess would fall aft.

A couple of steaks was enough to abandon it.

grease and fat all over the stern, cockpit cushions and bathing platform.

I currently have a small electric BBQ that we use in the cockpit or flybridge and so far have not been stopped by marina staff.

Tend to avoid fatty food.

I saw Duncan's cobb in action and I was impressed with the quality of his cooking /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
years ago had one of those magma gas barbecues. had a clamp fitting to clamp onto side rail so it hangs over edge. Set it up first time at lulworth cove. Put first sausage on and whole thing gave way swinging down on to side of boat depositing all the internal pieces at bottom of sea bed. Bu**er. Snorkelling gear on to retrieve then try again but with a death grip on the clamp. Was always a pain in the arse. Ended up getting a rod holder attachement which worked lot better but any wind and it was incredble hulk inducing to use.
 
We use a Magma S/S gas kettle BBQ on the stern which replace a charcoal one of the same make. The problem with charcoal is needing to carry bags of fuel and it takes time to get going whereas gas is instant. We have the gas one running off a standard cylinder though not one of those expensive cannisters.

The way to avoid greasy smokey steaks is to grill them on a griddle pan on the BBQ rather than just on the wire grid, they cook fast too with the lid on and stay very moist. We bought a square cast iron griddle pan for about £10 from Robert Dyas with removable handle that does the trick nicely.

You can use the kettle BBQs as an outdoor oven too (helps on hot days) and we have often done a full roast beef dinner in ours complete with roast potatoes, roasted shallots and carrots. If you do a roast it pays to use a proper meat thermometer because it is very fast.
 
I got a S/S barrel barbie from the local Co-op for under 15 quid. It opens out to two half cylinders that can both be used together, or one lit & the other not, or the lid can be used as a wind break with the grating as a high level cooked food warmer. It sits on short legs on the aft cabin and works a treat. I put a bit of wood or similar underneath to catch any grease drips & use plain charcoal with a handful of "easy lighting" fuel-soaked charcoal to light it quickly & easily.

Best 15 quids worth of "boating gear" I ever bought.
 
I've had about 4 of those. Can't be beaten for £15. Just need to raise it a bit higher than the legs to prevent scorching whatever is underneath. 2 bits of 4x4 did the job for me.

However I've just bort a Weber gas bbq and used it for the first time last w/e. Very pleased with it.
 
Having read recommendations both on this forum, and elsewhere, we took delivery of our Cobb just before this Easter weekend. Due to lack of space and the angle of the pushpit rail, the various rail mounted options weren't going to work for us.

As we had great weather, had three amazing evening meals, include the best duck breasts (perfectly crispy skin, meat lovely and juicy) we've ever cooked. We par-boiled (to about 3/4 cooked) potatoes, and then roasted those in the moat in the duck fat dripping into it, popped some aspargus and shitake mushroom on with the duck when it was nearly done, and hey presto, a gourmet meal! If we'd uploaded the photos to our website, I'd post the link showing them.

The Cobblestones are great too, neat and clean to store aboard, and to dispose of after use. We'll certainly be ordering more Cobblestones and looking forward to a great summer filled with tasty Cobb meals.
 
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