Imagine just setting out to sea on your boat, enjoying the sunset and the cool breeze. It’s perfect, right? But things can get even more perfect if you are also grilling your favorite meat on the side.

We all know that going out to sea may sometimes mean staying there for hours, or even the whole day. Yes, you can bring snacks, so you don’t get hungry, but why not treat yourself to something more? Perhaps, a delicious steak or even a hamburger.

With the advancement of technology, it’s a great thing that we now have grills designed to be placed on boats. But, with the many choices on the market, it’s hard to pick the best one. So, we’re here to help.

Below, we listed the seven best boat grills on the market today. We also discussed the pros and cons of each, so try to weigh which boat grill would be the perfect fit for you.

Comparison Table

Our #1 Choice
Magma Products, Newport II Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill, A10-918-2GS, Multi, One Size

1. Magma Newport II

This grill comes with a marine-grade stainless steel construction designed to cope with sea conditions; it comes with TRU infrared technology for fast cooking​ – Read Review.
9.8
Close Runner Up
NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill | Small, Mini, Lightweight Tabletop BBQ | Great Father's Day Gift | Perfect for Camping, Tailgating, Outdoor Cooking, RV, Boats, Travel (Grill)

2. NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill

This grill is one of the most aesthetically pleasing; it features stainless steel construction with black powder coating that gives it a modern and elegant look​ – Read Review.
9.7
Purpose Built
Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat with Arnall's Stainless Grill Bracket Set SILVER

3. Cuisinart Grill Modified Boat Grill

This grill is a result of a partnership between Cuisinart and Extreme Marine Products; it is customized to work well with Arnall’s stainless steel grill bracket, one of the most high-quality brackets on the market​ – Read Review.
9.5
Best Build
Kuuma Premium Stainless Steel Mountable Gas Grill w/Regulator by Camco -Compact Portable Size Perfect for Boats, Tailgating and More - Stow N Go 125' (58140)

4. Kuuma Premium Stow N’ Go

This grill features a streamlined design; despite not having many features, it is of excellent quality ​ – Read Review.
9.3
Circular Shape
Magma Products, Original Size Marine Kettle Gas Grill, A10-205

5. Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill

This grill is the only circular gill on this list; the lid offers great features, including the fact that it can serve as a barrier against the wind – Read Review.
9
Largest Cooking Space
Masterbuilt 205 Stainless Steel Gas Grill, Tabletop (Old Version)

6. Smoke Hollow 205 Pontoon Boat Grill

This grill offers 305 square inches of the total cooking area; it’s the only grill on this list that has a warming rack – Read Review.
8.9
Tru-infrared
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill

7. Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Grill2Go X200

This grill comes with a cast-aluminum construction; it also features a TRU-infrared technology but doesn’t come with a mounting option​ – Read Review.
8.7

Magma Newport II

  • Primary Cooking Area: 162 square inches
  • Dimensions: 22.5 x 11.63 x 11.63 inches
  • Weight: 19.9 pounds
  • Material: Stainless steel
  • BTUs: 11,200 BTU

More features: Come with tempered glass viewing window; beautiful rounded edge design for safety; dynamic combustion system; 100% 8-9 marine grade mirror polished stainless steel construction; with integrated fold-away legs; locking front access grease tray; electronic ignition; and infrared radiant screens

First on our list is the Magma Newport II Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill is already a redesigned grill to ensure top-quality overall performance.

It features a 100% 18-9 marine grade mirror stainless steel construction, making it perfect for boating. This way, it looks exquisite and will stay rust-free for long. On top of that, the rounded-edges give it a much modern and refined look that keeps you safe from accidentally cutting yourself.

Another noticeable feature is the hardened glass viewing window that is also improved. It has a clean silver finish, too, and allows you to watch your meat from the outside without the need to open the lid.

This is a compact grill that offers 162 square inches of cooking area. This is already enough to grill burgers, steaks, chicken breasts, and other meat for yourself and a friend who is with you on that boat.

The cooking area is heated by an 11,200 BTU powerful infrared burner, which cooks the meat fast. Added to that, it also ensures that the heat is distributed evenly throughout the cooking area so that there are no cold and hot spots on your meat.

What’s also good about this is that it comes with a dynamic combustion system, which stays lit even if you’re out on the ocean where the wind is strong. It then has an anti-flare system that minimizes flares, preventing your food from getting burned.

Right above the lid of the grill, there’s a built-in thermometer for temperature monitoring. The lid then comes with a locking feature to not be accidentally open when the boat is rocking.

Another feature to note is the foldable legs. So in case you’re not going to use it on a boat and just decide to grill in your backyard, you can still use this as a tabletop grill.

Pros

  • Large cooking area
  • Powerful infrared burner for fast and even cooking
  • Heavy-duty construction that will last for years
  • Elegant and modern design
  • Advanced anti-flare system
  • Compact and portable

Cons

  • Gets messy easily
  • A bit pricey
  • A bit heavy

NOMADIQ Portable Gas Grill

  • Primary Cooking Area: 226 square inches
  • Dimensions: 25.6 x 16 x 7.5 inches
  • Weight: 12.3 pounds
  • Material: Stainless steel with powder-coated finish
  • BTUs: 10,000 BTU

More features: Ceramic-coated non-stick cooking grates; dual burners; electric push-to-start ignition switches; includes two drip trays, gas hose/regulator, carrying strap, and a manual

First on our list is the NOMADIQ Portable Propane Gas Grill. This is a compact and very lightweight grill, which makes it a perfect companion on boat rides. The grill features overall heavy steel construction with a powder-coated finish so it can last for years. On top of that, the black coating makes the grill nice looking.

The cooking area is a total of 226 square inches, which is larger compared to its counterparts. It is said that you can fit up to 10 hamburgers here, so if you’re going boating alone or with friends, this is already a large enough size.

Another good thing about this is that it uses ceramic-coated non-stick cooking grates so that your food won’t stick on the surface. It’s also rust-resistant and very easy to clean, too. You’ll also appreciate the 10,000 BTUs dual burner (5,000 BTUs on each side of the grill) that contributes to the fast cooking of your meal.

Another thing we love is the electric push-to-start ignition system for reliable start-ups all the time. So, even if the wind is strong, you’re confident that your grill will work.

Lastly, the grill is very easy to set-up and won’t even take you 45 seconds. The design is so simple that if it’s closed, you might think it’s a small grill. It’s very easy to carry, easy to clean, and just has overall excellent quality.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty stainless steel construction
  • Easy to set-up
  • Ceramic-coated non-stick cooking grates that are dishwasher-safe
  • Electronic ignition system
  • Comes with two drip trays, making it mess-free
  • Compact, lightweight, and portable
  • 5-year warranty

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Doesn’t come with a lid
  • Can get easily scratched if you’re not careful

Cuisinart Grill Modified Boat Grill

  • Primary Cooking Area: 145 square inches
  • Dimensions: 18 x 12 x 19 inches
  • Weight: 22 pounds
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • BTUs: 5,500 BTU

More features: Stainless steel burner and drip tray; locking lid; easy to carry handle; customized to work with Arnall’s Grill Brackets; no tools needed for secure installation; limited 3-year warranty

The Extreme Marine Products Modified Cuisinart Grill is truly something else. It’s a result of a partnership between two excellent manufacturers (one of boat parts and one of the grills). Because of this, you can ensure that it will work well regardless if you’re at sea or land.

Like other Cuisinart grills, you can ensure great product quality with this grill. The stainless steel overall construction makes it very durable and will surely last you for years.

It features a 145 square inches cooking area that is large enough for you to prepare eight burgers at once. It may be quite small, but this would be enough to serve 2-3 people on a boat. It then comes with a 5,500 BTU stainless steel burner that heats the grate fast, and because the grate is also made of porcelain, you can ensure even distribution.

The Cuisinart grill also comes with a locking lid, convenient for when you need that shield against the wind. Sadly, it doesn’t come with a built-in thermometer from the outside for easy temperature monitoring. But it does have temperature controls, so you can adjust the heat accordingly.

Now, let’s go to the bracket part of this grill.

The grill features an Arnall’s stainless steel grill bracket, which is known to be one of the most secure brackets on the market. It is said to be rust-resistant and very sturdy.

Set-up and installation is usually the hard part. So, since this is a customized grill, you have several choices on the bracket depending on your boat railing. You need to be sure of this before buying to ensure that you get the right fit for your boat.

To install, you need to attach the grill first on the bracket. Then attach the bracket to the railing. Some people link the bracket on the railing first before putting the grill. But whichever process you choose, get some help to install and remove the grill as it can get heavy. And also, it’s best if there’s someone with you to help hold the grill, so it doesn’t fall.

Pros

  • Overall high-quality construction
  • Porcelain-enameled grate for even heat distribution
  • Full temperature control
  • Locking lid
  • Easy start
  • Lightweight and portable
  • No tools needed in the installation

Cons

  • Can’t be installed by yourself
  • The cooking area can be small

Kuuma Premium Stow N’ Go

  • Primary Cooking Area: 125 square inches
  • Dimensions: 20 x 11.25 x 11 inches
  • Weight: 8 pounds
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • BTUs: 9,000 BTU

More features: 300 series marine-grade stainless steel; can be mounted to any Kuuma rail, rod, or pedestal mount; foldable legs

Next on our list is the Kuuma Premium Stow N’ Go Grill. Made with 300 series marine-grade stainless steel, this grill is designed to be placed on boats. It’s 100% high polished, easy to clean, and will surely last for years without getting rusty.

The grill already comes fully assembled. So, no need to figure out where to put certain parts. Just place it on your rod holder. It’s also designed to be compatible with any Kuuma rail, rod, or pedestal mount, so if you already have that, you’re good to go.

It has a cooking area of 125 square inches, which is quite small. However, this size is enough to cook up to 8 burgers. So, it’s already perfect if you’re out to sea alone or with at least two friends.

There’s only one burner that delivers 9,000 BTU of heat across the cooking surface. This allows you to cook meat fast, and you even get that charred meat taste.

So, it’s a very simple grill with not so many features, but it does its job. It performs well even in windy weather compared to its counterparts. But one particular downside is that the lid can get pretty hot, so you should be careful with that.

Pros

  • Compatible with any standard rod holder
  • Fully assembled
  • High-quality stainless steel construction
  • Lightweight and compact
  • Even heat distribution
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • The lid can get really hot
  • Doesn’t always fire up on the first click
  • You might need to take out four screws to clean under the flash plate

Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill

  • Primary Cooking Area: 132.7 square inches
  • Dimensions: 15.6 x 15.3 x 6.5 inches
  • Weight: 9.2 pounds
  • Material: Stainless Steel
  • BTUs: 10,700 BTU

More features: 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel; grease catch pan; wind baffle; hinged-lid; swiveling, windproof turbo venturi and control valve; use both radiant and convection cooking; and radiant-heat plate

Another product from Magma is the Magma Marine Kettle Gas Grill. As the name implies, it’s made for boating purposes, so every feature you’ll see is convenient for going into the sea.

The grill features overall stainless steel construction. It uses 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel to give the boat an elegant modern look, that at the same time, does well when in contact with saltwater. So, it doesn’t get easily rusted or corroded.

It will require a bit of installation, but it’s quick and easy. It won’t take you an hour to have everything installed and set-up on your boat.

The grilling plate is about 13 inches in diameter. So, that’s about 132.7 square inches of cooking area, enough space to prepare meals for four people. The plate has what we call radiant-heat feature, which ensures even heat distribution. Along with that, the burner distributes 10,700 BTU of heat across the whole cooking surface. Combine the two, and you’ll be cooking meat fast.

For better convenience, the 15-inches lid can act as your barrier against the wind. It comes with a cool-touch handle, so you don’t get burned. It’s also hinged so that even if the wind is strong, it won’t slam close accidentally.

You’ll be happy to know that the grill does come with an easy to clean grease catch pan for no-mess cooking. It’s also advisable to place a heavy-duty aluminum foil down if you’re cooking marinated meat to prevent extra mess.

Pros

  • High-quality overall stainless steel construction
  • Easy to install
  • Well-designed lid
  • Radiant heat plate provides even heat distribution
  • Spacious cooking area
  • Easy access grease management system

Cons

  • Doesn’t include a bracket
  • Lid can get very hot

Smoke Hollow 205 Pontoon Boat Grill

  • Primary Cooking Area: 205 square inches
  • Dimensions: 15.75 x 26.85 x 11.81 inches
  • Weight: 20.3 pounds
  • BTUs: 10,000 BTU
  • Material: Stainless steel

More features: Primary stainless steel cooking area and chrome-plated warming rack; stainless steel U burner; foldable stainless steel legs; stainless steel drip tray; comes with a temperature gauge on the lid; and a push-button for an easy start

Next on our list is the Smoke Hollow 205 Pontoon Boat Grill. If you’re looking for good quality and versatile product that will not cost you much, this grill is a great choice.

It features an overall construction of commercial-grade stainless steel, which makes it durable despite being lightweight. It then comes with a handle so that it’s easy to carry while getting set-up on a boat.

This grill’s primary cooking area is 205 square inches, which is already large enough for you to prepare meals for a few people. On top of that, it comes with a 105 square inches warming rack, which gives you more space if you’d want to grill vegetables from lower heat.

The stainless steel material used for the cooking area doesn’t make it very easy to clean, which can be a problem. But, it does heat up fast, which also quickly cooks the meat.

The grill also features a stainless steel U-shaped burner that gives off 10,000 BTUs of heat across the cooking space. Since it’s U-shaped, it’s expected that some areas can be hotter than other parts. Though this sounds bad, it does create two heating zones for more flexibility in cooking.

You’ll also see that the grill comes with a built-in thermometer for easy temperature monitoring. Other features you’ll notice are the easy-to-use push start button and the locking lid so that air can’t interrupt the temperature inside the grill.

Pros

  • Quality stainless steel construction
  • Includes a warming rack
  • Locking hood
  • Temperature gauge
  • Compact and portable
  • Budget-friendly

Cons

  • Igniter fails at times
  • Uneven heat distribution
  • Stainless steel primary cooking area makes it hard to clean

Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Grill2Go X200

  • Primary Cooking Area: 200 square inches
  • Dimensions: 23.7 x 15 x 13.6 inches
  • Weight: 20 pounds
  • Material: Die-Cast Aluminum
  • BTUs: 9,500 BTU

More features: Stainless steel tubular burner; push-button piezoelectric ignition; cast-aluminum construction; stainless steel cooking grate; lock closed lid

Last but not least is the Char-Broil Tru-Infrared Grill2Go X200. So this is another high-quality boat grill, but instead of the other grills made of stainless steel, this comes in a cast-aluminum shell. So, durability is unquestionable for this product.

Another great thing is that it comes with a TRU infrared technology that cooks meat fast and evenly. The cooking area is only about 200 square inches, enough to serve a few friends.

There’s a push-button ignition system that provides an easy start and a temperature gauge on the lid to monitor the grill’s temperature. But other than that, there’s really no way to control the temperature better.

What’s nice about this product is that it will last for years, you can take it anywhere, and it will cook meat fast. But, it can’t be easily installed in your boat. Standard adapter kits won’t work, so you might need to do some customization. Or you can just use it as a tabletop grill.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty cast-aluminum construction
  • Energy efficient
  • TRU Infrared cooking system for fast cooking and even heat distribution
  • No exposed flames
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Challenging to mount

Buying Guide

Tabletop or Mounted

Since you’re out in the sea, conditions can be very unpredictable. Waves can be big, and winds can get strong. So, you need to ensure that your grill is secured on your boat.

For this, you would have to consider if you want a tabletop grill or a mounted one.

So, the tabletop, as the name implies, will be placed on a mini table on your boat. Or you can just put it on the flooring of the boat.

The advantage here is that you can easily change where the grill is positioned to always be against the wind. The problem, however, is that it’s not secured.

A mounted boat grill, on the other hand, is secured on your boat given that you’ve installed it correctly. But, since it’s in place, you can’t reposition it so that it’s against the wind.

So, whether you decide to go tabletop or mounted, there will be drawbacks, so think about which of the two can provide more convenience for you. All the choices above actually offer these two options, so it’s up to you which is best.

Primary Cooking Area

Next, decide on the primary cooking area. So this refers to the size of the grilling plate.

Now, it’s best to note that boat grills are designed to be portable. So manufacturers won’t really consider making boat grills with large cooking areas. In this list, we have 125 square inches as the smallest, while 226 square inches is the largest.

For this, it’s probably best to consider how many you are going out to sea usually. If it’s only you and a friend or two friends, then you don’t need that large cooking area.

If there’s a warming rack, the better because it provides more space for you to rest meat or even grill some side dishes.

Number of Burners

Next, you should also consider the number of burners. For boat grills, they only have one to two burners at most. This is because they are compact and small, so three to four burners don’t sound convenient.

What’s great about having two burners is that you get better control of the heat (if there are also two separate temperature controls). This way, you can slow cook on one side and sear on the other. It gives you great versatility.

But, if you don’t want to make things complicated, having one burner is all you need.

BTUs

BTU or the British Thermal Unit refers to the heat output released by the burner. So, the higher the BTU, the higher the heat output. This results in you cooking meat faster and getting some nice sear.

However, if you’re looking for great versatility, lower heat output would be better. This way, you don’t char all the meat you have on your boat.

Think About Cleaning and Maintenance

Last but not least, think about cleaning and maintenance.

Your boat grill must be able to cope with everything they might encounter out at sea, like rain, saltwater, and wind. If the grill you have is not designed for marine purposes, it can easily get rusty and corrode. So, it’s best to look for grills made from marine quality materials.

And just like with your home grills, you want to think about easy cleaning. Because let’s face it, we’re tired at sea. We don’t have much time to spend on cleaning, which is important for maintenance.

So, consider grills that have parts that are easy to remove and also dishwasher-safe.

Commonly Asked Questions

Is it legal to grill on a boat?

Yes! Grilling on a boat is absolutely legal. Just make sure that you stay safe, and you’re using the right gear for it. You must also ensure that the grill is secured safely so that it won’t tip or fall due to the rocking of the boat at sea. Also, if there are some regulations on what fish to cook and not to cook, just make sure to follow that.

How to prolong my grill’s life?

Just like with ordinary grills you use at home, cleaning is an important part of maintenance. So, make sure to clean the grill after every use. Remove any leftovers, clean the grease traps, and just wipe the outside clean.

It’s also wise to note that even if your grill is specified to be made from marine materials, you should still take good care of it, so it doesn’t get rusty. Take it apart at the end of the boating season to make sure that everything works well, and there are no cracks that might cause problems the next time you go out to sea.

Our Verdict

The seven grills listed above are all of excellent quality, but the best choice for us is the Magma Newport II Infrared Gourmet Series Gas Grill.

What we love about the grill is the overall high-quality stainless steel construction designed to last for when you are out to sea. The infrared feature offers fast cooking and even heat distribution for perfect cooking. The cooking area is large enough, plus you get to have a viewing window to monitor how your meat looks inside the grill easily.

So overall, it has wonderful features that are really useful. If you have the budget for it (because it can be a bit pricey), it’s a perfect choice. Consider it a great investment because you’ll surely be boating with it for years.