Grill parties are a fun and delicious experience just about anywhere. However, grilling on pontoon boats could prove a little more challenging.
If you want to combine boating and grilling together, you’ll need a durable, portable, and powerful grill to give you that authentic flame-kissed flavor.
In this article, we’ll shed light on the best pontoon boat grill in 2021, as well as four other alternatives that are just as capable.
We’ll also cover the different factors you should consider when buying your next grill.
Let’s get started! Here’s a quick list of our top picks:
5 Best Pontoon Boat Grills on the Market
Here are the top five pontoon boat grills for the ultimate cooking experience.
1. Weber Q1200 Grill
Our first pick is the Weber Q1200 grill. Q-series grills have a reputation for being some of the most efficient and reliable grills on the market. This model’s portable design and features make it extremely convenient for your pontoon boat.
The construction is top-notch. We saw a mix of stainless steel, porcelain, and iron incorporated in this grill. We felt comfortable reaching searing temperatures, even in rough waters.
By far, the highlight of this grill is its sheer heating power. It has 8500 BTUs and heats roughly 190 square-inch of cooking space.
Preheating takes a few minutes, and the U-shaped burner is able to distribute and retain heat efficiently. We found it almost hard to maintain low-heat cooking from how quickly it harnesses the heat!
We were slightly disappointed by the weight of this model, though. At 20 Ibs, the portable design is compromised by the bulky size. It doesn’t have a latching lid, either.
Pros
- High performance
- Portable elements
- Retains heat effectively
Cons
- Bulky and heavy
2. Magma Marine Grill
The Magma Marine has equally attractive features as the Weber Q1200 but in a much lighter body.
This 9.5 lbs grill is made from stainless steel. It’s highly resistant to scratches and color changes. There’s roughly the same cooking space on this model as with the Weber model, but this grill is even more powerful! 12000 BTUs versus 8500 BTUs.
So, how does this grill handle low-heat cooking? Extremely well. There’s an accurate control valve for temperature, which prevents dry dishes and overcooked food.
Lastly, this grill has great wind resistance, “stay cool” handles, and other air-cooled parts. This is one of the best grills you can on a windy day.
Pros
- Incredible performance
- Lightweight
- Precise temperature control
- Highly resistant to wind, sand, and sunlight
Cons
- Not the best at heat distribution
3. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Our third pick is Char-Boil’s Grill2Go. This grill has 9500 BTUs over 200 square feet. It is almost the same weight as Magma’s Marine grill and only slightly inferior in terms of performance.
The only downside about this grill is that it can get a little too hot sometimes. Even the lowest setting can occasionally char the outside of the chicken before it’s properly cooked.
The construction is robust, with high-grade cast aluminum lid and firebox, and stainless steel latches. We loved the design elements and how spacious the lid is. It can comfortably cook two big steaks and some vegetables. Although, keep an eye on the vegetables so they don’t get burnt.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Balanced heat distribution
- Best for burgers
Cons
- The body gets too hot sometimes
4. Kuuma Stow N Go 125”
The Kuuma Stow N Go 125” is one of the best grills in terms of portability. It weighs only 8 lbs with a cooking area of 125 square inches.
The construction is incredible. With marine-grade stainless steel, collapsible legs, and a pedestal mount, this grill is built to last.
It’s fairly powerful, too. At 9000 BTUs, this grill gets hot fast even on the lowest setting. We felt like we needed to be cautious as with the Char-Broil grill. Heat distribution is good, but you should consistently monitor what you’re cooking to get the best results.
Overall, a portable, sturdy grill that should definitely be on your watchlist. Don’t forget that this grill is fairly small, so you won’t have cooking space for more than two or three people.
Pros
- Portable
- Robust construction
- Collapsible legs
Cons
- Get too hot sometimes
- Occasionally leaks grease
5. Magma Connoisseur Series Grill
Finally, we have another Magma grill that made it to the list: the Magma Connoisseur Series grill.
This grill has a 162 square-inch rack with 11200 BTUs heating output. Similar to the Marine model, this grill is super balanced at heating up, distributing weight, and cooking food.
The polished stainless steel looks sturdy, too. Wind resistance is incredible, and the fold-away legs meant we could set up the grill potentially anywhere.
When we first reviewed this model, we couldn’t find any cons with the grill. However, long-term users told us that they noticed leaks from the bottom seams after extended use.
We put our unit through further testing. Turns out, the silicone seal under the grill does degrade rather quickly. As the seal wears out, you may notice grease spillage. You can solve this by either reapplying a silicon seal or investing in a mounting system.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Resistant construction
- Excellent heat distribution
Cons
- A little heavy
- Silicon seal wears out
How to Choose the Perfect Pontoon Boat Grill
To ensure the most bang for your buck when in the market for a pontoon boat grill, make sure to take the following factors into consideration.
Portability vs. Durability
There are two things that should cross your mind when you consider buying a pontoon boat grill. The first is the limited space of the pontoon boat. This should tempt you to buy a grill that flaunts fold-away legs, a lightweight body, bracket mounts, and an acceptable grilling surface.
The second is the unsteady nature of the water. Boating involves a lot of sand, direct sunlight, salty waters, and windy weather. Avoid plastic grills at all costs and look for stainless steel or high-grade aluminum.
Output Power and Heat Distribution
BTU is the common term used to describe output power. It stands for British Thermal Unit and measures the total heat output of the burner.
We recommend nothing less than 8000 BTUs for a mid-sized grill. Experts say you should have a minimum of 50 BTUs per square inch.
A powerful grill doesn’t necessarily mean it’s efficient. This is why heat distribution correlates with output power. Cold spots and uneven temperatures can mess up your food.
Look for steel burners that can effectively cook multiple heat zones or heat the whole area to the same temperature.
Temperature Control
We don’t recommend charcoal grills for pontoon boats. Propane grills allow us to control the cooking temperature using valves, thermometers, or button ignition.
Lastly, look for control knobs that offer high adjustability. This level of temperature control will enable you to cook complicated meals like a pro.
In Conclusion
We consider the Weber Q1200 to be the best pontoon boat grill of 2021. If you’re willing to tolerate the extra weight, this grill pays meticulous attention to detail when it comes to construction, performance, and heat distribution.
In any case, you can’t go wrong with any of our top picks. Just choose the one that suits your needs the most and get ready for some extra memorable meals.
Happy grilling!