Appliances

Best Pontoon Boat Grill – Top Grills for Pontoon Boats in 2022

It’s time to cook up a storm on your pontoon boat with a rugged, seaworthy grill. In this buying guide, we will tell you what features and considerations are important in choosing a grill for your vessel. We will also introduce you to the best pontoon boat grills so you can quickly find exactly what you need to cook up your next catch of the day.

By: Kye Cardinalis Editor

Getting ready for a pontoon boat party? You are going to need a BBQ grill that is stable, reliable, and can stand up to wind and spray. In this guide, we introduce you to some top models to consider. Check out our product overviews below, or scroll down to learn what features are important when you are choosing a pontoon boat grill.

You might also be interested in: The 10 Best Boat Coolers in 2022

Best Pontoon Boat Grill Roundup

Best Easy Mounting Boat Grill

1. Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat

Great product that features a very classic, traditional design and straightforward mounting

1. Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat

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What we like

  • Quick and easy installation.
  • The propane tank has a resistant mount.
  • Easy to move on and off your boat.

What we don’t like

  • The legs of the grill do not lock.

One option worth considering for your pontoon boat cookouts is the Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat. This product provides you with a grilling surface of 145 square inches, and has been modified so that it is compatible with Arnall’s Grill Brackets. If you have square railings measuring 1.25”, you should be able to attach this product with ease.

Pros

  • The compatibility with Arnall’s Grill Bracket set makes installation quick and easy. You do not need any tools. You should find when you are done that it is very stable.
  • The propane tank has a mount. Other products just have a wand, which is not very sturdy.
  • At just 18 pounds, this lightweight product is easy to move on and off your boat.
  • The appearance of this grill is very traditional and may appeal to those who are in search of a product with classic lines.

Cons

  • The legs of the grill do not lock. This may be annoying when you want to carry it, but it is not a huge detractor.

Best For: We recommend this pontoon boat grill if you are looking for a product that features a very classic, traditional design and straightforward mounting.

Best Wind Resistant Pontoon Grill

2. Magma Products, Connoisseur Series Propane Gas Grill

This pontoon boat grill is especially reliable in windy conditions.

2. Magma Products, Connoisseur Series Propane Gas Grill

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What we like

  • Easy to handle
  • Safety inner shell helps to protect you from constant flare-ups.
  • Made with steel.
  • Adjustable to use natural gas or propane.
  • Maintain a hot flame even with the wind gusting.
  • Easy and quick to install.

What we don’t like

  • Quality control is not perfect.

The Connoisseur Series Propane Gas Grill by Magma Products is a 9” x 12” stainless steel grill offering 108 square inches on which to prepare your food. The manufacturer has subjected it to testing to ensure that even in the wind, it is able to distribute heat evenly. You can use a regular 1-pound propane canister with it.

Pros

  • Transporting this product on and off your boat is easy thanks to the foldable legs and the lockable lid. There is also a handle that runs the length of the product that assists with carrying and mounting.
  • Built into this grill is an inner lined safety shell. This shell helps to direct grease into the tray. As a result, there are fewer flare-ups.
  • The entire product is made of stainless steel. Not only does this make it extremely stylish, but it also ensures that your grill does not develop rust.
  • Don’t want to use a 1-pound disposable propane canister? That is just fine. If you have propane or natural gas on your boat, you can adapt this grill to use either.
  • True to its promise, this grill can maintain a hot flame even with the wind gusting.
  • Installing and uninstalling the grill is really easy and quick.

Cons

  • Issues with spot welds and stains are sometimes present, so it appears that quality control is not perfect with these grills. Nonetheless, the construction is solid in general.

Best For: This pontoon boat grill is especially reliable in windy conditions.

Best Budget Boat Grill

3. Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill

It runs in a slightly lower price bracket than many competing products but is still high in quality.

3. Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill

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What we like

  • Fast and easy installation.
  • Easy to clean.
  • Stainless steel build.
  • Fast reliable heat distribution.

What we don’t like

  • Limited gas propane bottle compatibility.

Along with Cuisinart and Magma Products, Kuuma is the other big brand in pontoon boat grills. One product worth thinking about if you are on a budget is the Kuuma Stow and Go Propane Tabletop and Mountable Grill. You can choose between propane or charcoal; the charcoal model is even more budget-friendly than the propane one. With its 160-square-inch cooking surface, it offers even more space than the Cuisinart Grill Modified for Pontoon Boat.

Pros

  • The unit comes pre-assembled, and installation is fast and easy.
  • You can remove the grease tray for fast and painless cleaning.
  • The stainless steel can stand up to the elements out on the water, and the design of the product is sleek and elegant.
  • The product heats up fast and offers reliable, even heat distribution.

Cons

  • You can use this product with Coleman green bottles of propane, but it is not compatible with Bernzomatic propane bottles.

Best For: You might consider this pontoon boat grill if you are shopping on a budget. It runs in a slightly lower price bracket than many competing products but is still high in quality.

Best Infrared Cooking Boat Grill

4. Magma Products Newport 2 Infra-Red, Gourmet Series Gas Grill

If you are in the market for an infrared grill to cook quickly and evenly on your pontoon boat, this product might fit the bill.

4. Magma Products Newport 2 Infra-Red, Gourmet Series Gas Grill

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What we like

  • Solid and beautiful stainless steel construction.
  • Tempered glass viewing window.
  • Hermetically sealed thermometer for temperature control.
  • Great grilling area space.
  • Works in winds up to 15 knots.

What we don’t like

  • May not fit together as you would like.

If you want an infrared grill for your pontoon boat, Magma Products offers another great option in the form of the Newport 2 Infra-Red, Gourmet Series Gas Grill. The overall configuration and appearance of this grill are similar to the Connoisseur Series Propane Gas Grill. As with that product, it is up to you whether you want to power it with a disposable propane canister or the propane or natural gas on your boat. You can mount it on either a vertical or horizontal railing with the appropriate Magma hardware.

Pros

  • This product features the same solid construction and beautiful, durable stainless steel as the Connoisseur Series Propane Gas Grill.
  • Watch your food cooking through the tempered glass viewing window on the lid.
  • A hermetically sealed thermometer makes it easy to gauge when your food is ready.
  • The 162-inch grilling area offers a generous amount of space.
  • This grill offers no shortage of heat and can work even if you are boating in winds up to 15 knots.

Cons

  • There may be some spacing and sizing issues with some of the components of this grill. They may not fit together as seamlessly as you would like.

Best For: If you are in the market for an infrared grill to cook quickly and evenly on your pontoon boat, this product might fit the bill.

Most Spacious Boating Grill

5. Magma Products, Marine Kettle 3, Combination Stove & Gas Grill, Propane Portable Oven

If you are grilling for a lot of people, this pontoon boat grill will let you prepare large batches of food at once.

5. Magma Products, Marine Kettle 3, Combination Stove & Gas Grill, Propane Portable Oven

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What we like

  • Impressive rust resisting.
  • The flame is steady even in the wind.
  • Electronic pulse ignition.

What we don’t like

  • Sometimes connection between the grill and the propane is loose.

The Magma Products Marine Kettle 3 is a grill for your pontoon boat that features a round design. You can choose between a 15’ and 17’ diameter; we suggest paying a little extra for the larger size, as that extra surface area can really come in handy. That amounts to 227 square inches, which is significantly more than any other products we have looked at.

Pros

  • This is an incredibly durable product that does an impressive job resisting rust. You can expect great longevity from your grill.
  • The flame is steady even in the wind.
  • The electronic pulse ignition system is reliable and easy to use.

Cons

  • Keep a close eye on the connection between the grill and the propane. Sometimes it can come loose, which can even cause the regulator and hardware to drop right over the side of your pontoon boat.

Best For: If you are grilling for a lot of people, this pontoon boat grill will let you prepare large batches of food at once.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a Pontoon Boat Grill?

1. The right dimensions for your needs

Around 100-160 square inches is typical for the cooking surface for a pontoon boat grill, but you can find some larger products out there if you are cooking for a big group.

2. Reliable heating

Some pontoon boat grills struggle to maintain a consistent flame when they are subjected to high winds. As wind exposure is just a regular part of boating, it is worth looking for a product that has a reputation for delivering even, consistent, reliable heat even when the breeze kicks up.

3. Weight

A lightweight pontoon boat grill will be easier to move around than a heftier product. If the legs fold and there is a handle, those features will also increase its portability.

4. Mounting options and hardware

Check to make sure the unit you are thinking of buying is compatible with your railing. Some models come with mounting hardware, while others require you to purchase compatible hardware separately.

5. Materials and construction

Stainless steel is a great material for a pontoon boat grill because it is durable and lightweight. Plus, it resists rust. Your grill for pontoon boat should feature solid components with smooth edges and quality welding.

6. Ease of installation

Find out how fast and easy you can expect the installation of a pontoon boat BBQ unit to be before you purchase it. Do you need any special tools or skills? While you are at it, make sure you are purchasing a model that will not wobble once it is installed.

7. Ease of use and cleaning

Finally, features like electronic pulse ignition, a removable grease tray, and a built-in thermometer all can make your pontoon boat grill easier to use.

The Right Grill for Pontoon Boat Will Make Your Party a Success

Now you know what to look for in a pontoon boat grill, and you have some product recommendations to consider. Click on any of the links in this post to get the best pontoon boat grill. Have fun throwing an epic party on the water with delicious, evenly cooked cuisine.

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