When you’re planning a boat day you don’t want to be worrying about preparing and packing cold lunches for the whole family, you’d rather know you have versatile lunch options that you can cook easily on the boat in minutes with a grill onboard.
A pontoon boat grill can be a real game-changer to those long days on the boat. Cooking anything from steaks to hotdogs, to searing kebabs and wings, the options truly are endless with a boat grill.
However, with an array of grills readily available on the market, how can you know which grill will work the best on your pontoon boat? Don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work for you.
We’ve compiled a list of the top five best pontoon boat grills for your convenience. We have also written a useful buyer’s guide of things you should consider before purchasing one.
Say goodbye to cold sandwiches and hello to hot lunches on the boat once you have your brand new grill!
View our top pick below.
5 Best Pontoon Boat Grill
- Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill, Stainless Steel, Adjustable Control ValveProduct Name
- 4.6Our Rating
- 13 inchDiameter
- 9.2 PoundsItem Weight
- 15.6 x 15.3 x 6.5 inDimensions
- $Price
- Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat with Arnall's Stainless Grill Bracket Set BLACKProduct Name
- 4.7Our Rating
- Stainless steelMaterial
- 22.2 poundsItem Weight
- 18 x 12 x 19 inDimensions
- $Price
- Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable GrillProduct Name
- 4.5Our Rating
- Stainless SteelMaterial
- 8 PoundsItem Weight
- 28 x 13 x 13 inDimensions
- $Price
1. Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat with Arnall’s Stainless Grill Bracket Set
- Mounts to 1.25 OPEN square Pontoon Boat Railing / Brackets are 7 GA 304 Stainless Steel.
- Very Easy - Brackets come pre-installed in the box with the Grill
- NEW** Search ARNALLS GRILL BRACKET to see our new BALCONY VERSION!
- Cuisinart Petit Grill has 145 square inches of grilling surface
- Grill is customized to work with Arnalls Grill Brackets / No Tools needed for secure installation
The Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat is the perfect addition to diversify your lunches and cook hot food on your pontoon!
This grill is easy and convenient as the brackets come pre-installed in the box with the grill so all you need to do is attach it to the boat.
This grill is versatile! It also makes a great option for cold winter grilling for those nights that are too cold to head out on the boat. You stay warm inside while your grill is in your yard.
This grill is customized to work with Arnall’s Grill Brackets. No tools needed for secure installation!
Check Price on Amazon2. Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill, Stainless Steel, Adjustable Control Valve
- Made of 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel with a combination easy to clean grease catch pan / wind baffle
- Hinged lid wont slam shut and has a stay cool handle with air cooled supports
- Swiveling, windproof turbo venturi & control valve virtually eliminate blowouts, places the fuel valve where its safe and convenient
- Before lighting the indexed bowl and lid may be rotated to act as a windshield in gusty wind conditions
- Uses both radiant and convection cooking with burner and hi-tech radiant plate heat distribution, quickly comes to temperature
The Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill is made of 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel that has premium quality in mind.
This grill uses both radiant and convection cooking with burner and hi-tech radiant plate heat distribution, meaning that it has the capability to heat quickly and cook food evenly.
The Magma grill features a swiveling, windproof turbo venturi & control valve that virtually eliminates it from blowing out, just place the fuel valve where it’s safe and convenient.
The mounted handle eliminates the need for hot pads to remove/lift the cover, minimizing the risk of you burning your fingers.
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3. Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill (with Foldable Legs)
- Designed to use standard disposable fuel bottles or can be used with larger re-fillable tanks for fixed mount applications
- Constructed of 100% stainless steel
- Removable grease tray for easy cleaning
- No assembly required
- The slick-looking single arm mounting bracket and accessories are sold separately
The Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill is constructed of 100% stainless steel and is built for durability.
This grill is designed to use standard fuel bottles or can be used with larger refillable tanks for fixed mount applications. Add a propane tank gauge to your setup ensure your party day doesn’t end short!
The Kuuma grill comes with a removable grease tray for your convenience, making it easier to wipe down and clean.
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4. Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
- 145-SQUARE-INCH PORCELAIN ENAMELED COOKING GRATE: 145-square-inches of porcelain enameled grates give you a spacious cooking surface is able accommodate lots of food at one time while still distributing heat evenly and efficiently.
- 5,500 BTU BURNER: Features a 5,500 BTU burner, a twist to start electric ignition and precision temperature gauge to give you the ultimate temperature control.
- COMPACT ENOUGH TO TAKE ANYWHERE: The grill measures 18.5 x 16 x 11.5 inches and with stand. The grill weighs only 17 lbs., making it easy for transport and ideal for decks, patios and balconies, camping, tailgating and more.
- DURABLE FOLDING LEGS: The grill features folding legs that provide a stable and durable base for the grill while in use and can be easily folded away during transport. Grill legs do not extend.
- FAST AND EASY SETUP AND BREAKDOWN: Stand sets up and packs away in seconds, and features an integrated lid lock and pronounced briefcase-style carrying handle for easy and secure transport.
The Cuisinart CGG-180TS Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Gas Grill is a light-weight, durable grill built for convenience.
145-square-inches of porcelain-enameled grates give you a spacious cooking surface that is able to accommodate lots of food at one time while still distributing heat evenly and efficiently.
This grill boasts a 5,500 BTU burner, a twist to start electric ignition, and a precision temperature gauge to give you the ultimate temperature control.
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5. Coleman Camp Propane Grill
- Versatile outdoor grill ideal for camping, hunting, and tailgating
- Delivers 11,000 btus of heat across 180 sqaure inch of grilling surface
- Wind block panels shield burners from wind and fold down for use as side tables
- Perfect heat technology ensures efficient cooking using less fuel
- Perfect flow technology provides consistent performance even in extreme conditions
The Coleman Camp Propane Grill is a versatile outdoor grill perfect for boating, camping, hunting, and tailgating.
This grill delivers 11,000 BTUs of heat across 180 square inches of grilling surface, so you can grill an abundance of food all at the same time!
The Coleman grill boasts a 180-square-inch cooktop, meaning that it offers a large cooking surface area that is perfect for grilling meals for big groups of friends or the whole family!
Perfect flow technology provides consistent performance even in extreme conditions.
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Best Pontoon Boat Grill Buying Guide
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a grill for a pontoon boat, but it mainly comes down to being safe when using a grill aboard your pontoon.
Boat grills can be an excellent way to diversify your meals when you’re out for the day on the water, but you should always ensure that you are safe whilst using one.
Your safety at sea is the most important thing to remember when you’re thinking of purchasing a new boat accessory, especially as grills, in general, can get incredibly hot and require flammable means to light. To avoid any fire hazards, do not be tempted to buy an old grill or the cheapest one or just any old portable grill that you find.
There’s a reason why boat grills aren’t always allowed in marinas, it’s because they can be dangerous. So don’t try to cut corners when it comes to your and your family and friend’s safety.
Check out the features below before clicking buy.
Windproof & Lids
Something you should consider before buying a pontoon boat grill is how it will handle being out on the water when the wind is strong and the sea is rough.
Unlike a normal grill, boat grills have a lot more to withstand than just the rain, your grill will be at the mercy of the ever-changing sea and will need to be durable to make it worth your money!
The conditions at sea can change very quickly, so your pontoon boat grill will need to be able to withstand rough wind and unpredictable weather.
A way to ensure that your grill will be windproof is to buy one that has a proper lid that you can easily pull up and back down. Lids ensure that your grill can withstand the unpredictable weather you often get at sea.
Not only do lids help maintain the flame so that it doesn’t go out but lids can also help to cook your food evenly. After all, no one likes half-cooked hotdogs!
Also, some grills come with wind protector sides that are useful when the weather gets rough. Ensure that you check your boat grill is windproof before investing in one!
Stand
When buying a pontoon boat grill something to consider is its stand. Your pontoon grill needs to be completely safe and secure when you’re on the boat, else you could lose it when you are underway or even worse, cause an accident.
This is why, along with the regular grill stands, you can get a unique mount that is specially designed for boats so that you can attach the grill to the railing of the boat. In fact, some boat grills come with such an attachment making your life much easier.
However, you should always check that your grill comes with a stand or, if it doesn’t, look at buying one separately as they really are essential to ensure your safety whilst out boating.
Size
It is likely that you’re buying a pontoon boat grill to diversify your meals on boat days, so something to consider is the size of the grill you buy! You want a grill that has enough space to cook food for the whole family or a big group of friends with ease.
Before purchasing a pontoon boat grill, consider how many people you are likely to be catering for on a regular basis, as you’ll want to be able to efficiently cook without overloading the grill with too much food.
Although the majority of grills for boats are more compact in size, you can still find one that packs a punch and more than fulfills your grilling needs aboard your boat!
Safety Tips
Arguably the most important thing to consider before buying a pontoon grill is your safety whilst using it.
- The majority of marinas do not allow people to use an open flame. Make sure to check the law in your area, as some locations may not allow you to have a grill on your pontoon boat.
- Keep the pontoon grill away from anything flammable.
- To avoid any accidents, you always need to be near the grill, never leave it unattended.
- You need to ensure that all the valves, tubes, and hoses are safe before igniting a propane barbecue.
- Never dump ash overboard. Always make sure that you dispose of the ash when you’re back onshore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best grill for a pontoon boat?
The best grill for a pontoon boat is subject to change from individual to individual, as it will depend on what you’re looking for and what you prioritize most.
The best grill for a pontoon boat will be one that can withstand unpredictable weather on those rainy days where a hot meal is just what you need!
The best grills meant to be portable also come with a secure lid to ensure that your grill and your food is protected and helps it to cook thoroughly.
Is it illegal to cook on a pontoon boat?
No – it isn’t illegal to cook on a pontoon boat.
However, you should always be safe as some marinas don’t allow open flames so you should always check on the rules and regulations of your location to avoid getting any fines!
How do you avoid accidents while grilling on a pontoon boat?
Grilling on a boat can be perfectly safe but you should still be wary that you are at sea and take extra precautions to cook safely.
Here are some tips to consider before you think about grilling on a pontoon boat:
- Never cook whilst you are underway. It is highly dangerous to cook whilst the boat is moving, making sure that the lid is down and the grill is secure before setting off. You don’t need ash or embers drifting to flammable materials on your boat!
- Never leave a grill unattended, even if it is just for a moment. Fires can start quickly and spread even faster, so it is not worth the risk to leave your grill unattended.
- Ensure that no embers from the grill can fall anywhere onto the boat.
- Put the grill out as soon as you have finished cooking, and make sure you allow it to cool down before attempting to pack it away.
