BBQ Comments ?

[PKFK]

Lots of questions from my corner lately - thanks in advance for your inputs.

I am also looking to replace my BBQ (an older Force 10 "log-shaped" propane unit that blows out in the slightest breeze).

From what I can see, there are 3 main brands - Dickenson, Kuuma, and Magna.

I have heard good comments about this unit:

http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?group=1414

I am looking for a new BBQ on the larger end of the size spectrum - and want one that has decent resistance to the wind.

Any good / bad comments on BBQ's that you want to share would be appreciated.

Thanks !

Paul

 

[newly anonymous]

for us, fourth try was a charm

Living aboard in windy SF bay, we've had terrible luck with three different grills, none of which were able to stay lit on a typical 20-25 knot summer afternoon. The first was a Magma kettle type, the second was a Force 10 log type, the third was a conventional Dickinson Sea B Que, the one you linked in your post. While it was better than the previous two, it really didn't stand up to any sort of breeze.

Finally, we bought a new round Dickinson Sea B Que, the one with the round burner, and so far this summer it's never once blown out. Better yet, it takes far less propane to cook a meal than any of the previous three required.

Cool thing about the new grill, is that it will actually bake a pizza.

 

[Tim R.]

After struggling for years with a Magma to keep it lit I bought a Sto N Go. It is very reliable and has fold out legs so you can take it to shore if you want.

http://www.amazon.com/Portable-grill-stainless-camping-tailgating/dp/B0019FTPEM

 

[noprob2]

I have had the sea b que for years and find it to be a great unit. I also can take it ashore and with the legs it sits nicely for a shore cookout with a small gas bottle. My 340 has a 2 tank compartment so I have a seond tank which i can attach to the unit with a hose DIckenson supplied. Makes for an easy reliable set up.

 

[zeehag]

i love reading about folks and their bbq problems on board---each has to get the most expensive, least user friendly item out on the market--i love my weber smokey joe--i have seen them mounted on rails of other boats and just laughed as they are the best bbqs in the size range i have ever found. they are black and they cook well. i store mine with the tile i use under it in my lazarette...and i only paid 2 1/2 dollars for it...LOL..i used to use magma, but they blow out in slight breezes!! so do dickinson and so do force--all are soooo expensive for the lack of being able to use them...i still have the magma on the rail of my ericson 35, but i USE the weber on my formosa as much as or more than most boating folks i have seen--mine stays lit in wind....AND i use my favorite cooking fuel---REAL mesquite....

 

[PKFK]

i love reading about folks and their bbq problems on board---each has to get the most expensive, least user friendly item out on the market--i love my weber smokey joe--i have seen them mounted on rails of other boats and just laughed as they are the best bbqs in the size range i have ever found. they are black and they cook well. i store mine with the tile i use under it in my lazarette...and i only paid 2 1/2 dollars for it...LOL..i used to use magma, but they blow out in slight breezes!! so do dickinson and so do force--all are soooo expensive for the lack of being able to use them...i still have the magma on the rail of my ericson 35, but i USE the weber on my formosa as much as or more than most boating folks i have seen--mine stays lit in wind....AND i use my favorite cooking fuel---REAL mesquite....

I hear you - nothing beats the taste of stuff grilled on mesquite (And the coals *like* the breeze !) - however - we sail on an inland fresh waterway - and dumping ashes in to a quiet anchorage will not win you any friends.

So....I am more or less stuck with the propane option - since we are not on the ocean, we get less breeze - so I am hoping that one of the units suggested here will suffice. I will look at the Dickenson ones mentioned and see how it goes.

 

[PKFK]

If it works on SF bay - it must be windproof !

Living aboard in windy SF bay......

......Finally, we bought a new round Dickinson Sea B Que, the one with the round burner, and so far this summer it's never once blown out. Better yet, it takes far less propane to cook a meal than any of the previous three required.

Cool thing about the new grill, is that it will actually bake a pizza.

Thanks for the input on your experiences. The Dickinson's are "supposed" to be better in the wind - glad to hear that your real-word test bears that out. I will look around for the round version !

Thanks,

Paul

 

[zeehag]

I hear you - nothing beats the taste of stuff grilled on mesquite (And the coals *like* the breeze !) - however - we sail on an inland fresh waterway - and dumping ashes in to a quiet anchorage will not win you any friends.

So....I am more or less stuck with the propane option - since we are not on the ocean, we get less breeze - so I am hoping that one of the units suggested here will suffice. I will look at the Dickenson ones mentioned and see how it goes.

i empty my ashes into a large plastic garbage bag and put it into a waste container at fuel docks when i need to rid the boat of it--folks in houses can use the ashes to prevent snail infestations in their gardens also--i donot have a house so i leave mine in a container made for waste---every fuel dock has them --there really is NO excuse for neeedless pollution...biodegradables--go for it--other stuff gets contained.~~~~~_/)~~~~~~AND--i donot limit where or when i sail or what kind of water i sail upon..or even where in the world i might sail --LOL....

 

[larryw]

Prefer using coals, but don't like dealing with ashes. Gas grills OK, but hard to keep lit, like soggy butts, and over the years, I've found I do very little Q work on board, prefering to use the stove-top. I have a great iron skillet that'll sear a steak to perfection.

 

[Seattle Scott]

Re: for us, fourth try was a charm

I just bought one of these http://www.bbqs2go.com/pages/supremeparty.asp

I was looking for a grill with a shelf. It gets hot with the flame on low and the lid down and stayed lit on low in about 8 knots so far. Seemed to grill veggies without burning. Food can't fall out or down through the grate. The single rail clamp is not sufficient. I added a side clamp/arm taken from my old grill to the side of the new one.

 

[zeehag]

as far as i have seen,. all the bbqs even the weber have aftermarket things and doodads for the bbq--shelves for inside some for outside and whatnot--check out the sites online--may find what you need there---even ebay has stuff anymore--LOL--there are also hotdog and hamburger things --rack with handle for turning --that are available and would be good for veggies!!