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This was covered recently with several responses. I have a Magma and think it was the winner. But not a landslide victory.
This was covered recently with several responses. I have a Magma and think it was the winner. But not a landslide victory.
Magma
Check out the Magma "Party Size". It works quite well for me. Has a lot more room on the grill. Downside? It uses a bit more fuel and requires a larger storage area. PS
Check out the Magma "Party Size". It works quite well for me. Has a lot more room on the grill. Downside? It uses a bit more fuel and requires a larger storage area. PS
neither?
I've owned both, and have been dissapointed by both. Neither system performs well in a breeze. As liveaboards, we use our grills two or three times per week year 'round, often enough to burn them out every couple of years, and I keep going back and forth. I've recently switched from the cylinder-type Force 10 to the new flying-saucer-type Force 10, with which I'm having limited success. The reason I have been favoring the Force 10's these past few years is that they use less fuel. 95% of the time we fire up the grill it's just for the two of us, and since wonderblond doesn't eat all that much, the smaller Force 10's make a lot of sense. We hook ours up to a 2.5 gal. tank, and only have to refill it three or four times per year.
I've owned both, and have been dissapointed by both. Neither system performs well in a breeze. As liveaboards, we use our grills two or three times per week year 'round, often enough to burn them out every couple of years, and I keep going back and forth. I've recently switched from the cylinder-type Force 10 to the new flying-saucer-type Force 10, with which I'm having limited success. The reason I have been favoring the Force 10's these past few years is that they use less fuel. 95% of the time we fire up the grill it's just for the two of us, and since wonderblond doesn't eat all that much, the smaller Force 10's make a lot of sense. We hook ours up to a 2.5 gal. tank, and only have to refill it three or four times per year.
Magma II
I've got the regular size magma propane. I can't comment directly on the Force 10 but have had both charcoal and gas magmas. The big drawback (as previously noted) is getting them started. However, once hot mine stays lit in just about any wind. The thing cooks really well and fast. I've got a frying pan that fits over the grill nicely and is great for cooking things (like bacon) that might otherwise stink up the cabin. Jim "Prospect"
I've got the regular size magma propane. I can't comment directly on the Force 10 but have had both charcoal and gas magmas. The big drawback (as previously noted) is getting them started. However, once hot mine stays lit in just about any wind. The thing cooks really well and fast. I've got a frying pan that fits over the grill nicely and is great for cooking things (like bacon) that might otherwise stink up the cabin. Jim "Prospect"
Force 10 here.
We have had a Force 10 (large size) for several years. When we first got it, it worked great. After several years we started to have probelms with it not getting hot enough and difficult to keep it lit. We sent it to Force 10 in B.C, Canada and they did some magic on it including updating the mounting system. It now works like it did when it was new. Large enough to put lots of food on and small enough to stow fairly easily. I do not like the way the bottles attach to the Magma grills. The charcol units are fine.
We have had a Force 10 (large size) for several years. When we first got it, it worked great. After several years we started to have probelms with it not getting hot enough and difficult to keep it lit. We sent it to Force 10 in B.C, Canada and they did some magic on it including updating the mounting system. It now works like it did when it was new. Large enough to put lots of food on and small enough to stow fairly easily. I do not like the way the bottles attach to the Magma grills. The charcol units are fine.
Don't like my Force 10
I have the flying saucer type Force 10 which I don't like much. Won't stay lit in a breze especially as you tack around on a mooring on a breezy day. Doesn't get very hot either. Nice and small though. I guess in the end the question is, would you buy the same brand and type again? My answer is a resounding NO Bob Knott s/v Serenity H380
I have the flying saucer type Force 10 which I don't like much. Won't stay lit in a breze especially as you tack around on a mooring on a breezy day. Doesn't get very hot either. Nice and small though. I guess in the end the question is, would you buy the same brand and type again? My answer is a resounding NO Bob Knott s/v Serenity H380
Try Dickenson
We have a Dickenson, which I find to be sturdier than either the Magna or Force 10. Also, the lid on the round Magna can be awkward.
We have a Dickenson, which I find to be sturdier than either the Magna or Force 10. Also, the lid on the round Magna can be awkward.
Had Both Magma and Force 10
We first owned the non-party size Magma and had it mouted on the stern rail. When it got too windy, we moved it to the pedestal guard and cooked in the cockpit. The real bummer was that we could never get the flame low enough, and if we didn't closely babysit the thing it burned our food. We used it almost every evening for about four years and it quite literally burned itself up. We bought a Force 10 "log" and it's flame also cannot be adjusted low enough. We did not use it in the Bahamas on the rail unless the wind quit, which was almost never. It fit nicely in the aft cockpit locker. A nice thing about the Force 10 is that we got "feet" for it and we could take it to the beach and set it on the sand. Great feature. Bottom line, we don't like either one of them, but we'll probably stick with the Force 10. We found that if we crammed wads of aluminum foil in the holes in the ends of the Force 10, we could hold the wind back. I find it easier to open and close the cover on the Force 10 (when it is on the rail) without catching any body parts on fire too.
We first owned the non-party size Magma and had it mouted on the stern rail. When it got too windy, we moved it to the pedestal guard and cooked in the cockpit. The real bummer was that we could never get the flame low enough, and if we didn't closely babysit the thing it burned our food. We used it almost every evening for about four years and it quite literally burned itself up. We bought a Force 10 "log" and it's flame also cannot be adjusted low enough. We did not use it in the Bahamas on the rail unless the wind quit, which was almost never. It fit nicely in the aft cockpit locker. A nice thing about the Force 10 is that we got "feet" for it and we could take it to the beach and set it on the sand. Great feature. Bottom line, we don't like either one of them, but we'll probably stick with the Force 10. We found that if we crammed wads of aluminum foil in the holes in the ends of the Force 10, we could hold the wind back. I find it easier to open and close the cover on the Force 10 (when it is on the rail) without catching any body parts on fire too.
Magma is Best
Have tried both brands. Magma seems to be better quality materials, design, and workmanship. Seems to last twice as long. Will never buy another Force 10. Henry
Have tried both brands. Magma seems to be better quality materials, design, and workmanship. Seems to last twice as long. Will never buy another Force 10. Henry
peter m.
just looked up the Dickenson in the Defender catalogue. yes, it looks as sturdy as it is pricey, but how does it do in the wind? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there seems to be a growing consensus here that choosing between Magma and Force10 is choosing the lesser of two evils. also seems that the market is wide open for an entrepreneurial engineer to make a killing if s/he can conjure up a unit that stays lit in a breeze.
just looked up the Dickenson in the Defender catalogue. yes, it looks as sturdy as it is pricey, but how does it do in the wind? >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> there seems to be a growing consensus here that choosing between Magma and Force10 is choosing the lesser of two evils. also seems that the market is wide open for an entrepreneurial engineer to make a killing if s/he can conjure up a unit that stays lit in a breeze.
Windy days and flame outs always get me down
We have used a Magma grill for several years, and more or less I like it. As for as the wind, I was having the same trouble with the flame blowing out that is being mentioned on this site. I went to the web site or manual (can't remember) but it said in windy conditions, be sure to have the regulator and bottle downwind of the grill. The bottle and regulator can swivel around the bottom of the grill. Apparently the wind can blow up the gas/air mixing chamber and cause the flame to go out. Make sure when you mount the grill the regulator is in the down wind position. This has not fixed all the blowouts but it has sure helped. Hope this is useful. Dean Eiland “Chateau de Vent” www.magmaproducts.com
We have used a Magma grill for several years, and more or less I like it. As for as the wind, I was having the same trouble with the flame blowing out that is being mentioned on this site. I went to the web site or manual (can't remember) but it said in windy conditions, be sure to have the regulator and bottle downwind of the grill. The bottle and regulator can swivel around the bottom of the grill. Apparently the wind can blow up the gas/air mixing chamber and cause the flame to go out. Make sure when you mount the grill the regulator is in the down wind position. This has not fixed all the blowouts but it has sure helped. Hope this is useful. Dean Eiland “Chateau de Vent” www.magmaproducts.com
Propane Magma OK, Charcoal Magma Better
On my first two boats, I used the charcoal Magma grill and LOVED it. The thing that made it work best was a charcoal product from Royal Oak called Brix --- the combination was unbeatable. Brix is a cardboard eggshell type material impregnated with paraffin and a lump of charcoal in each of the egshell cells. It stores easily on a boat and because of the paraffin is never bothered by dampness. You can break off just the right number of rows for the size/duration fire you want and the rest stays neat until the next time you grill. Only problem is I can no longer seem to find Brix in any of the stores near me in NC ... if anyone out there knows of a source, let us all know. So, I resorted to a propage Magma for my current boat. It works OK, but I miss the "real" charcoal aroma. I MISS MY BRIX!!
On my first two boats, I used the charcoal Magma grill and LOVED it. The thing that made it work best was a charcoal product from Royal Oak called Brix --- the combination was unbeatable. Brix is a cardboard eggshell type material impregnated with paraffin and a lump of charcoal in each of the egshell cells. It stores easily on a boat and because of the paraffin is never bothered by dampness. You can break off just the right number of rows for the size/duration fire you want and the rest stays neat until the next time you grill. Only problem is I can no longer seem to find Brix in any of the stores near me in NC ... if anyone out there knows of a source, let us all know. So, I resorted to a propage Magma for my current boat. It works OK, but I miss the "real" charcoal aroma. I MISS MY BRIX!!
John Farnsworth
John, We have had our Dickenson for three years and I do not recall it ever being blown out by the wind or difficult to light on a windy day. However, when it is windy, the best heat collects at the leeward end of the unit. Not a problem as long as you anticipate it. Some comments have been made about having to replace parts (e.g., burners regulators). This has not been our experinece at least to date. We are not live aboards, but we do use the boast (and the BBQ) intensively. The Dickenson is more expensive, but I do not recall that it was a great deal more. It comes in two sizes, similar to the Force 10. We have the smaller unit, which has proven to be more than adequate. (The small Dickenson is slightly larger than the small Force 10) I believe that Dickenson is manufactured in Canada. Find a Canadian supplier and pay with cheap Canadian $$. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
John, We have had our Dickenson for three years and I do not recall it ever being blown out by the wind or difficult to light on a windy day. However, when it is windy, the best heat collects at the leeward end of the unit. Not a problem as long as you anticipate it. Some comments have been made about having to replace parts (e.g., burners regulators). This has not been our experinece at least to date. We are not live aboards, but we do use the boast (and the BBQ) intensively. The Dickenson is more expensive, but I do not recall that it was a great deal more. It comes in two sizes, similar to the Force 10. We have the smaller unit, which has proven to be more than adequate. (The small Dickenson is slightly larger than the small Force 10) I believe that Dickenson is manufactured in Canada. Find a Canadian supplier and pay with cheap Canadian $$. Peter Milne S/V Blue Heron
Overrated
Over the course of a number of years I've watched numerous friends w/ both barby's mentioned attached to their stern rails. Seems to me they have had all of the lighting/heat problems as listed in previous threads.........at the expense of a considerable amount of money. Us? A plain steel, small, propane bottle barby from WalMart. Cost all of $25.95 and is still going strong after 7 seasons. The varnished plywood board that it sits on in the cockpit while cooking doubly serves as a fish cleaning board. Bought a suitably sized nylon stuff sack to keep the barby in when not in use so as not to spread the bits around. Stows deep in a locker when not needed. Cheap, works great nightly, and it cooks up a storm! Walt
Over the course of a number of years I've watched numerous friends w/ both barby's mentioned attached to their stern rails. Seems to me they have had all of the lighting/heat problems as listed in previous threads.........at the expense of a considerable amount of money. Us? A plain steel, small, propane bottle barby from WalMart. Cost all of $25.95 and is still going strong after 7 seasons. The varnished plywood board that it sits on in the cockpit while cooking doubly serves as a fish cleaning board. Bought a suitably sized nylon stuff sack to keep the barby in when not in use so as not to spread the bits around. Stows deep in a locker when not needed. Cheap, works great nightly, and it cooks up a storm! Walt
Dickinson not Dickenson
Hi Floating Grillers. I was curious about the Dickenson, but couldn't find it. I referenced my handy new Sail Magazine "Sail 2001 Sailboat Buyers Guide" and found that it as Dickinson not Dickenson. The grill looks bullet proof and it can be viewed at dickinsonmarine.com We have seen some of them in the past, but never knew what they were. Now we know. Thanks HOW. We'll be looking into whether or not the small version will fit on the stern rail of an h31. If it will, it will go on our "wish" list for the summer of 2001. Looks like it will be $250+ to buy the $213 grill and a rail mount plus shipping. Thanks, Endless Summer
Hi Floating Grillers. I was curious about the Dickenson, but couldn't find it. I referenced my handy new Sail Magazine "Sail 2001 Sailboat Buyers Guide" and found that it as Dickinson not Dickenson. The grill looks bullet proof and it can be viewed at dickinsonmarine.com We have seen some of them in the past, but never knew what they were. Now we know. Thanks HOW. We'll be looking into whether or not the small version will fit on the stern rail of an h31. If it will, it will go on our "wish" list for the summer of 2001. Looks like it will be $250+ to buy the $213 grill and a rail mount plus shipping. Thanks, Endless Summer
Magma Wins Contest
My Force 10 would not stay lit in any wind above 1 knot and when it did, it was never hot enough. I now have a Magma and love it. I can now properly sear steak and fish and it will stay lit in the wind. Take notice of the shelf space of Force vs Magma in West Marine stores. The West managers are sick and tired of the complaints from Force 10 owners.
My Force 10 would not stay lit in any wind above 1 knot and when it did, it was never hot enough. I now have a Magma and love it. I can now properly sear steak and fish and it will stay lit in the wind. Take notice of the shelf space of Force vs Magma in West Marine stores. The West managers are sick and tired of the complaints from Force 10 owners.
10 Years!
I have been using the same Magma for 10 years on two boats. I've replaced the internal screen (heat diffuser) 3 times; the cooking grate twice and the regulator once. And each year I take the plastic knobs off and put it in the self clean oven to clean it. Now the only problem is that it's discolored from the high heat of the self-cleaning oven, but it continues to service me. We usually plan all of our evening meals on the grill.
I have been using the same Magma for 10 years on two boats. I've replaced the internal screen (heat diffuser) 3 times; the cooking grate twice and the regulator once. And each year I take the plastic knobs off and put it in the self clean oven to clean it. Now the only problem is that it's discolored from the high heat of the self-cleaning oven, but it continues to service me. We usually plan all of our evening meals on the grill.
Magma for us
A Magma grill (charcoal type) came with our 1980 H33 when we bought her. It's a little messy, what with coal dust and such. But, our feeling is,we've used quite a few different types of gas grills and charcoal just cooks better.
A Magma grill (charcoal type) came with our 1980 H33 when we bought her. It's a little messy, what with coal dust and such. But, our feeling is,we've used quite a few different types of gas grills and charcoal just cooks better.
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