I need a recommendation for a gas BBQ

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Rich Stidger

Rich Stidger

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Feb 10, 2004
4,233
Hunter 40.5 Warwick, RI
I am planning to buy a BBQ at the annual Defender Warehouse sale in a couple of days. I currently have a Magna round standard size that is their 'stove-type' unit- it uses a metal heat deflection plate, not the bricks. I use it on my stern rail and I have always had a problem with it blowing out in any wind over about 10mph. I usually try to block the wind with cockpit cushions and that technique is sometimes successful. The grill seems to be more likely to blow out if the gas bottle is less than half-full. Does anyone have either a solution for this flame-out or can you recommend a different BBQ that does not blow out in a breeze?
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,204
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
Semi Tongue-In-Cheek Reply

Funny. I refused to have a BBQ on my boat until my wife put her foot down and brought a Magma large size. It works OK and will stay lit once it gets hot. I use the lid to shield it from wind. I have the large rectangular one at home which I have mounted on a deck rail. Surprisingly, it has a tough time staying lit in even a light breeze. The vent holes in the bottom are a problem. I covered them with foil and it's much better, but if it doesn't get even better this season, I'm going to be buying my wife a new grill. So... I haven't a satisfactory recommendation. However, I'm part owner of a pontoon boat. They guys wanted a BBQ. i couldn't see spending the three hundred bucks for one. So, see the link for this baby. Just this morning, we finished modifying it for rail mounting. The black sides you see in the photo are now polished cast aluminum. The looks to be a great grill, and I hope it works better than the 'marine' versions. I'll bet I wind up adapting one to the boat if it works well. And, for a fifth the cost. Rick D.
 
C

Chuck

Mods

Would like to see some pics of the grill and mods when you are done.
 
Malcolm Young

Malcolm Young

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Feb 18, 2004
184
Catalina 36mkII Kincardine - Lake Huron
Magma 2

A friend has the origiinal Magma kettle and suffers from the same problem as you. I have a Magma 2 kettle BBQ and it works quite well. It advertises that it virtually elliminates blowouts and I have not had one in the two years since I bought it - although I do not usually BBQ in gale force winds! The top is hinged and has a front handle instead of a top handle which makes it easier to use.
 
Maine Sail

Maine Sail

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Feb 6, 1998
11,759
Canadian Sailcraft 36T Casco Bay, ME
If anyone finds..

A grill that can stay lit in winds over 5 knots please let me know about it. I've spent close to $600.00 on grills in the last ten years from Force 10's to Magma's and they all suck even the "new improved" Magma. It seems the only improvements to the Magma were that you can't loose the lid but hell who needs a lid when you can't cook because every time you check the steaks the grill is out...
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
I have one of these

Force 10 Stow N Go I had a magma on my old boat and it always blew out. It was also too small for more than 2 people. I got the force 10 from WM for $119. Although others have complained about blowouts, mine never has. It is tricky to light because of lack of an ignitor but minor compared to the good build quality. Also has fold out legs if you want to use it on shore. Tim R.
 
Malcolm Young

Malcolm Young

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Feb 18, 2004
184
Catalina 36mkII Kincardine - Lake Huron
Staying lit

In 20 knots the grill will stay lit - I do keep the lid shut when cooking however - partly because of a fear of passing seagulls and partly to aid in cooking. This probably reduces the probability of blow out. One thing that I will say against it is that the piezio electric lighter packed it in and I have to light it with a BBQ butane lighter through a hole.
 
MrBill_FLL

MrBill_FLL

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May 4, 2005
4,062
Macgregor 26d Ft Lauderdale, Fl
keep it lit

I have a round magma s/s with the small propane bottles. I had the same problem keeping it lit.... until.. I moved the swing arm holding the bottle on down wind side of the grill... slid the cover over the regulator / bottle connection, and keep it to leeward. close lid, get long bic lighter... turn it on full, light from bottom, (or top), small boom. ignition. as long as I keep the gas up high I can open the grill, close it, and I can lower a bit. the key seems to be keeping steady stream of gas pressure. level helps too. think I might get the force 10 next time... for better storage and usable space.
 
Honeyman

Honeyman

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Jan 2, 2005
779
Hunter 35.5 Legend Lake Travis-Austin,TX
Hate to say it...

but I always have great success with the old style charcoal model, round Magma. Once lit, it NEVER goes out. I always know how HOT its going to cook, unlike EVERY gas grill I've ever used that cooks TOO HOT. The debris is all bio-degradable(sp). Plus, I've actually been able to get a little smoked flavor in my steaks and salmon by throwing some wet mesquite chips on the coals. I'll stand back and let everyone "flame" me...if they can "keep it lit"!!!
 
A

Andy

Magma improved valve and venturi

I have never had that much trouble keeping the old Magma lit, and even less trouble with the new improved valve and venturi tube. New valve has red and blue colors, new venturi tube has a "swollen" part on the tube. I did have a real hard time getting "Matchlight" charcoal lit on a charter boat. Third or fourth day out with the back being open, the sea air got to the charcoal and we had no lighter fluid. I wasted a lot of good rum getting that sucker started-but the hamburgers had a "special" flavor! Note to charter customers-provision lighter fluid even if you provision with matchlight charcoal....the rum..the rum..but why the rum! You will need it at the end of the
 
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