Friar
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Last Sunday was my first experience grilling on my pontoon and had six people on board. Thought I would share my experience plus I have some questions for "Matthew", if he sees this post.
First, I purchased a "Kuuma" grill from West Marine for about $130 last December and my recommendation to anyone would be "Do Not" buy this grill. I should have done more research and it was a mistake to rely on the generally positive reviews of this product online. It cooks okay, but that is about it. There are a number of other problems with it such as the rail mounting system was very difficult and it is a struggle to put it into its carrying bag, but the worst aspect is cleaning it. The radiant plate is attached with 4 small screws (instead of snapping into place) so this is a hassle to remove and clean. Then the grease pan on the bottom is attached by screws that extend up into the bottom of the grill so that when you try to clean the grill bottom you have 6 sharp points in the way to tear paper towels, sponges, or your fingers.
Second, cooking out and eating on the pontoon is great. Having said that, I think I should have given more consideration to grill placement and the number of people I would have on board. I posted pictures earlier of my grill mounted on a forward starboard rail. Turns out I felt "crowded" the whole time because of people moving about for food, coolers, toys, bags, etc. Plus I think I will bring along a second garbage can for those times when I am cooking.
Third (and this includes my questions for Matthew), the last several days I have researched and looked at "Magma" grills and decided this is what I should have bought to start with. They appear to be made of much better material and solid, plus they do not have the cleaning problems I described above (the radiant plate snaps in and out, the bottom is smooth, and the grill itself is in 3 pieces allowing it to fit into a sink for cleaning.) Matthew, you posted pictures of your grill on a pedestal mount located on the port side corner of the rear deck outside the playpen area. This is where I think I now want to place my new grill. The underside of that area of my deck is covered with an aluminum sheet attached to edge of the rubrail and a support beam - I would need bolts probably 3 or 4 inches looking to pass thru the deck, the void area, and the aluminum sheet. Can you tell how the base plate is attached to the deck, specifically are the screws secured with lock nuts just through the deck or the deck and the aluminum plate (if you have one)? And how is the grill location working out functionally?
Realize this is a pretty long post, but everything I do seems to be trial and error and I am getting tired of all the errors! :angry: Hopefully someone can learn from my mistakes.
Thanks. (PS - Kuuma grill for sale, $1.00 plus shipping - will throw in some useless accessories for free)
First, I purchased a "Kuuma" grill from West Marine for about $130 last December and my recommendation to anyone would be "Do Not" buy this grill. I should have done more research and it was a mistake to rely on the generally positive reviews of this product online. It cooks okay, but that is about it. There are a number of other problems with it such as the rail mounting system was very difficult and it is a struggle to put it into its carrying bag, but the worst aspect is cleaning it. The radiant plate is attached with 4 small screws (instead of snapping into place) so this is a hassle to remove and clean. Then the grease pan on the bottom is attached by screws that extend up into the bottom of the grill so that when you try to clean the grill bottom you have 6 sharp points in the way to tear paper towels, sponges, or your fingers.
Second, cooking out and eating on the pontoon is great. Having said that, I think I should have given more consideration to grill placement and the number of people I would have on board. I posted pictures earlier of my grill mounted on a forward starboard rail. Turns out I felt "crowded" the whole time because of people moving about for food, coolers, toys, bags, etc. Plus I think I will bring along a second garbage can for those times when I am cooking.
Third (and this includes my questions for Matthew), the last several days I have researched and looked at "Magma" grills and decided this is what I should have bought to start with. They appear to be made of much better material and solid, plus they do not have the cleaning problems I described above (the radiant plate snaps in and out, the bottom is smooth, and the grill itself is in 3 pieces allowing it to fit into a sink for cleaning.) Matthew, you posted pictures of your grill on a pedestal mount located on the port side corner of the rear deck outside the playpen area. This is where I think I now want to place my new grill. The underside of that area of my deck is covered with an aluminum sheet attached to edge of the rubrail and a support beam - I would need bolts probably 3 or 4 inches looking to pass thru the deck, the void area, and the aluminum sheet. Can you tell how the base plate is attached to the deck, specifically are the screws secured with lock nuts just through the deck or the deck and the aluminum plate (if you have one)? And how is the grill location working out functionally?
Realize this is a pretty long post, but everything I do seems to be trial and error and I am getting tired of all the errors! :angry: Hopefully someone can learn from my mistakes.
Thanks. (PS - Kuuma grill for sale, $1.00 plus shipping - will throw in some useless accessories for free)
