Gas Barbecues on Rail

[Kinsale373]

I'm thinking about one of those rail mounted gas barbeques to get the cooking smells out of the boat. Just looking on line and the choice seems to be between the circular kettle types and the rectangular units with the high end talking about Infra red grill plates. Whatever about the smoke, the prices bring a tear to the eye ! The issues discussed seem to be flaring and blowing out in gusty conditions. Has anyone any insights or experience. Any reasonable priced solutions tried and tested?

Kinsale 373

 

[Deleted member 478]

A lot of marinas don't allow you to use a bbq while berthed. Check your marina's t&c's before you splash out on something you won't be allowed to use.

 

[SailingDog]

We use a kettle type gas bbq on the back rail, smoke not a problem at anchor, haven't had an issue with it blowing out.
It also has removeable legs so can be used ashore.
Before the gas one used a disposable charcoal one, the only place for the hot used coals is over the side, or wait for them to cool down.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have been using this type for ten years or so now, used perhaps 3-4 times per week in Greece. They are only made from mild steel and the burner lasts a relatively short time, three years if you are careful and oil it up when leaving the boat for winter. We are now on our third one but they only cost £30. Cooking on charcoal is all very well but has many distinct drawbacks on board. These use lava rocks, gas heated, which takes away all the problems but the taste just as good. Ten minutes after cooking it can be put in its bag and stowed away.

 

[vyv_cox]

We have been using this type for ten years or so now, used perhaps 3-4 times per week in Greece. They are only made from mild steel and the burner lasts a relatively short time, three years if you are careful and oil it up when leaving the boat for winter. We are now on our third one but they only cost £30. Cooking on charcoal is all very well but has many distinct drawbacks on board. These use lava rocks, gas heated, which takes away all the problems but the taste just as good. Ten minutes after cooking it can be put in its bag and stowed away.

A topical note - I bought the passerelle in the background from Tranona several years ago.

 

[Kinsale373]

Mmmm, those chops look good vyv ! Yep, after seeing prices of €600 + quoted for fancier types , yours looks like a good solution. I can make up some attachments for the rail and be careful when stowing it away.
We anchor a lot on the south west coast of Ireland so usage wont be a major issue for us but worth considering , Spidermoobs, thanks
You seem happy enough with the Kettle type Sailingdog , they are more reasonable priced , illl take a closer look at them,

Thanks Guys,
Kinsale 373

 

[ryanroberts]

These are great, not stupidly expensive, easy to stow as designed to be portable and won't even heat up your foredeck. Temperature is controllable enough be used for light smoking duties too if you like American BBQ - fish & chicken easily. They have a gas version.

Cobb GB

 

[ashtead]

Buy yourself a Cobb -you can use in the cockpit,on the stern platform, on the pontoon ,on the beach etc. The issue with any rail mounted one is the wind and rain plus it’s a fixed expense prone to be hit by others .

 

[SailingDog]

Buy yourself a Cobb -you can use in the cockpit,on the stern platform, on the pontoon ,on the beach etc. The issue with any rail mounted one is the wind and rain plus it’s a fixed expense prone to be hit by others .

Hi yep the Cobb is worth a look.
The rail mount I have is a quick release specific to the bbq, dead quick and easy so the unit spends most of it's life in its storage bag under the fwd bed.

 

[LiftyK]

The Magma gas bbq, kettle type, is pretty good. I bought one probably around 30 years ago when it was very reasonably priced. It is still in excellent condition. With the great weather this past summer it was used more than in the previous five years added up.

Plus points
- plenty of cooking area
- easy to find CV470 gas cartridges
- never a problem in wind or rain
- a circular tray catches fat runoff
- the rail clamp is secure. I regularly sail with the bbq mounted on the rail
- wire strop on the lid so it doesn’t go for a swim
- the lid hooks on to the body so you can rest it there when it is hot and you are busy with your tongs
- corrosion proof and ok to go in a dishwasher
- as already mentioned previously, you can fix a floor stand on the base and take it anywhere
- should you need them, parts are available for many years. It doesn’t change every year like so many things these days
- with the lid on, smoke is minimal

Minus points
- bonkers expensive now
- i’d like the lowest gas setting to be a little lower. Nice but not necessary
- it is quite big I keep it in an old plastic shopping basket
- fear of theft if I leave it in the cockpit but so far so good

 

[Neeves]

From the land of the BBQ......

We use a gas one very similar to Vyv's, cheap but, or and, no lava rocks - just the gas.

I made a bracket and it sits, when in use, securely clamped to the transom, the bottle hangs in a cage out board. We don't have much of a problem with BBQing in the rain (apart from its absence). If wind is a problem then try BBQing at the transom (where it is more sheltered) rather than on the bow

I'd visit wherever people buy their BBQs in the UK, here it would be a dedicated BBQ shop or a hardware store (caravan, camping shop?) and they should have a whole batch of cheaper BBQs for you to choose from. If you want to make a bracket the design might dictate which is easier to convert. Vyv simply seems to be using a monster bread board or a rather nice bit of plywood, which is fine as long as there is no chop (but you could always find a way to secure it all together.

Marine BBQs seem to be extortionate with price increases well in excess of normal increases for marine equipment. Magma stuff is really good quality but very expensive, 'bonkers' is a bit of an understatement.

Jonathan

 

[Uricanejack]

I have just acquired my second Khuma stainless BBQ about 250$. My first one lasted 15 years. It lives on a rail mount although when I bought the first one. It was used for several years just sitting in cockpit or taken ashore.

Use it all the time on the boat. Works great.
when sailing, I’ve found steaks or burgers are much easier to cook than bratwurst

 

[Irish Rover]

We have been using this type for ten years or so now, used perhaps 3-4 times per week in Greece. They are only made from mild steel and the burner lasts a relatively short time, three years if you are careful and oil it up when leaving the boat for winter. We are now on our third one but they only cost £30. Cooking on charcoal is all very well but has many distinct drawbacks on board. These use lava rocks, gas heated, which takes away all the problems but the taste just as good. Ten minutes after cooking it can be put in its bag and stowed away.

Apologies for going somewhat off subject but does anyone know why I can't see the image or whatever vyv posted. I thought it might be because I use Firefox but I've tried with Internet Explorer as well and I still didn't see anything. I'm assuming from the subsequent posts that vyv did in fact post a pic or an image.

 

[Neeves]

Apologies for going somewhat off subject but does anyone know why I can't see the image or whatever vyv posted. I thought it might be because I use Firefox but I've tried with Internet Explorer as well and I still didn't see anything. I'm assuming from the subsequent posts that vyv did in fact post a pic or an image.

Yes Vyv did post a picture but I can assure you that you do not want to see it.

Its a gorgeous picture of the transom of his yacht with a BBQ the centre of attraction. The main feature are 2 seasoned chops and if you see them you will dribble all over and ruin your keyboard. . All that was missing was a bottle of red wine

Jonathan

 

[Irish Rover]

Yes Vyv did post a picture but I can assure you that you do not want to see it.

Its a gorgeous picture of the transom of his yacht with a BBQ the centre of attraction. The main feature are 2 seasoned chops and if you see them you will dribble all over and ruin your keyboard. . All that was missing was a bottle of red wine

Jonathan

I'm not a great fan of chops but I do need a good, cheap gas BBQ and anything that's good enough for vyv is more than good enough for me so if someone can tell me make, name, source or post a link to his BBQ I'd be grateful. I'd also like to know why I cannot see the pic he posted.

 

[lustyd]

the only place for the hot used coals is over the side, or wait for them to cool down.

Don't throw hot coals over the side. They float and fizz away and the surface tension tends to make them float towards the boat.

 

[Neeves]

I'd also like to know why I cannot see the pic he posted.

A problem is that the geeks who might able to answer your question don't read posts about gas BBQs.

There are people who multitask but they are too clever for me (and many of them are female).

Is there not a place within the forum where you can ask impossible questions.....?

 

[rogerthebodger]

I have a gas Braai (BBQ) similar to this.

yacht braai – Chef South Africa

 

[SailingDog]

Don't throw hot coals over the side. They float and fizz away and the surface tension tends to make them float towards the boat.

Haven't experienced that, was in tidal waters with a current and to be fair more ash then red hot coals.

 

[harvey38]

Napoleon pro 285, made from cast aluminium, stainless burners, 10 year warranty, uses a standard propane bottle (not cannister) big enough for six people, small enough to stow but stays out all summer, I can easily cook a large spatchcock chicken, and the heat is fully adjustable. This is a web photo as I don't have one of ours on the boat but there are holes pre-drilled in the feet and so I bolt it to a board mounted on the corner of the rails at the stern.