I just installed my new Magma BBQ but I'm a little nervous about lighting it above my gas tank. I have a 1982 Mac 25 with a 3.5 gas tank for my 6 hp Johnson for a kicker. Is it ok to use the grill aft, and above the tank? What about fumes? Thanks, Mac
Lighting my Magma BBQ
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Magma Bomb
I would highly advise against having the Magma BBQ above the fuel tank at any time, but especially if the tank is in the compartment where it is often kept. The danger of gasoline is minimally in the liquid form (FIRE), but the FUMES mixed with air (EXPLOSION). Any leaked gasoline will evaporate into an air fuel mixture. Old rule of thumb: "1 galon of GAS FUMES = 2 sticks of DYNAMITE". The fuel compartment is about 20 galons in size, so if the air is hot and laced with gasoline fumes...GIANT MAGMA BOMB if even a spark ignites it let alone a BBQ FLAME!!!
I would highly advise against having the Magma BBQ above the fuel tank at any time, but especially if the tank is in the compartment where it is often kept. The danger of gasoline is minimally in the liquid form (FIRE), but the FUMES mixed with air (EXPLOSION). Any leaked gasoline will evaporate into an air fuel mixture. Old rule of thumb: "1 galon of GAS FUMES = 2 sticks of DYNAMITE". The fuel compartment is about 20 galons in size, so if the air is hot and laced with gasoline fumes...GIANT MAGMA BOMB if even a spark ignites it let alone a BBQ FLAME!!!
If your fittings are tight and the tank fill cap and vent are closed
There should be no gas fumes, but these things can leak, so it is not advisable to have the gas tank anywhere near an open flame. Disconnect the tank, close it, and put it on the foredeck.
There should be no gas fumes, but these things can leak, so it is not advisable to have the gas tank anywhere near an open flame. Disconnect the tank, close it, and put it on the foredeck.
So I need to move
the gas tank everytime I want to use it? The tank sits between the seats on the cockpit floor. The grilll is about four feet above the tank. I can move the grill to the side, would that help? I can also close the vent cap by screwing it down.
the gas tank everytime I want to use it? The tank sits between the seats on the cockpit floor. The grilll is about four feet above the tank. I can move the grill to the side, would that help? I can also close the vent cap by screwing it down.
Put it off to the side,
and when you are cooking have it outboard of the rail so nothing drips on the boat. Thats the way mine is setup, also that keeps the hot grill away from the rudder and motor if you have to get at them in an emergency. Tim
and when you are cooking have it outboard of the rail so nothing drips on the boat. Thats the way mine is setup, also that keeps the hot grill away from the rudder and motor if you have to get at them in an emergency. Tim
Every one I've ever had ends up dripping
grease at some point, (cheap hamburgers, maybe) so I like to hang it well outboard also.
grease at some point, (cheap hamburgers, maybe) so I like to hang it well outboard also.
Mac, Yes, Yes, and Yes.
You may not have to move it as far as I suggested but you can move the grill, and you should close the vent. The posts after mine contained good ideas. If you had an inboard gasoline engine would you run a bilge blower before you tried to start it? Yes you would even if it was fitted with a flame arrestor. You just have to do what you have to do to be a safe operator. Some people don't and get away with it ---For a while. Sail safe Joe S
You may not have to move it as far as I suggested but you can move the grill, and you should close the vent. The posts after mine contained good ideas. If you had an inboard gasoline engine would you run a bilge blower before you tried to start it? Yes you would even if it was fitted with a flame arrestor. You just have to do what you have to do to be a safe operator. Some people don't and get away with it ---For a while. Sail safe Joe S
Yeah
Thanks for posting this question, because it is one I had too. Up until now. I would think that as long as you keep the grill (with offending gases) outboard) there would be no possibility of accumulating an explosive mixture onboard. The previous posts must have been referring to enclosed spaces which for current discussion do not exist. Any fumes from the gasoline tank would drain through the cockpit drain not accumulating in the cockpit.
Thanks for posting this question, because it is one I had too. Up until now. I would think that as long as you keep the grill (with offending gases) outboard) there would be no possibility of accumulating an explosive mixture onboard. The previous posts must have been referring to enclosed spaces which for current discussion do not exist. Any fumes from the gasoline tank would drain through the cockpit drain not accumulating in the cockpit.
Thanks everyone!
I will follow your advice. My cockpit drain has water in the hose. I have a loop in the hose down below so I could make that nasty turn. Can the gas fumes go through that??? I don't think so. I usually don't smell any fumes, but will shut the cap valve and move the grill to the side. Mac
I will follow your advice. My cockpit drain has water in the hose. I have a loop in the hose down below so I could make that nasty turn. Can the gas fumes go through that??? I don't think so. I usually don't smell any fumes, but will shut the cap valve and move the grill to the side. Mac
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