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Top 6 Best Pontoon Boat Grills for Memorable BBQs on the Water in 2024

By Chris Johns •  Updated: 08/25/24 •  17 min read
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Best Pontoon Boat Grills

There’s nothing quite like the combination of boating and barbecue to create lasting summer memories. As a pontoon boat enthusiast and grilling aficionado, I’ve spent countless hours testing and evaluating the best grills for on-water cooking. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or a weekend fishing trip with friends, having the right pontoon boat grill can take your aquatic adventures to the next level.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll share my top picks for the best pontoon boat grills of 2024. I’ve considered factors like durability, heat distribution, ease of use, and overall value to help you find the perfect grill for your needs. Let’s dive in and explore the top options that will have you grilling up a storm on your next pontoon boat outing!

The Top 6 Best Pontoon Boat Grills for 2024

After extensive testing and research, here are my top picks for the best pontoon boat grills available this year:

  1. Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill
  2. Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill
  3. Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill
  4. Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill
  5. Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill
  6. Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill

Let’s take a closer look at each of these outstanding pontoon boat grills:

Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill, Adventurer Series, Cabo

The Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill is a top-of-the-line option for pontoon boat owners who demand quality and performance. This grill is specifically designed for marine use, featuring high-grade stainless steel construction that resists corrosion and stands up to harsh maritime conditions.

With 162 square inches of cooking space, it’s perfect for grilling up burgers, hot dogs, and even steaks for your crew. The compact design allows for easy storage when not in use, while the sturdy construction ensures stability during cooking, even in choppy waters.

Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill, Adventurer Series, Cabo

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Highlights

Specifications

The Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill excels in heat distribution, ensuring even cooking across the entire grilling surface. Its unique radiant plate technology helps to vaporize drippings, adding flavor to your food while reducing flare-ups. The grill also features a reliable piezo ignition system for easy starts, even in windy conditions.

Customer Reviews for Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill

  1. “Excellent Marine Gas Grill, Perfect for Outdoor Cooking – The marine gas grill is durable, easy to clean, and heats up quickly. It provides even cooking and is perfect for grilling on the go.”
  2. “Works well great size – I like the quality being that it’s all stainless steel. It’s different than the one I had before but it fits and it’s a great size when you have a small space I’ve had magma products before and this is great quality.”
  3. “Perfect for land and sea – We were going on a road trip and also needed to replace our Magma grill for our sailboat. This new grill performed fantastic on land and will be mounted to our aft rail soon. Love the foldable legs and how quickly it heats up.”

For pontoon boat owners looking for a reliable, high-performance grill that can withstand the elements, the Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill is an excellent choice. Its combination of durability, cooking performance, and compact design makes it a standout option for on-water grilling adventures.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill

The Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill is a compact and versatile option that’s perfect for pontoon boat owners who want flexibility in their grilling setup. This portable grill offers 145 square inches of cooking space, which is suitable for preparing meals for small groups or couples.

One of the key advantages of this grill is its lightweight design, weighing just 13.5 pounds. This makes it easy to transport from your home to your boat and back again. The folding legs and briefcase-style carrying handle add to its portability, allowing you to set it up quickly on any flat surface.

Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill, Red 17.6 x 18.6 x 11.8-Inch

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Highlights

Specifications

The Cuisinart CGG-180T features a powerful 5,500 BTU burner that can quickly reach high temperatures, allowing you to start grilling in no time. The porcelain-enameled grate provides excellent heat distribution and is easy to clean, which is a significant advantage when grilling on a boat.

Customer Reviews for Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill

  1. “Easy to use, loved it for the past 2 years! – This is a kick butt little grill. It’s super stable with the wide legs, light weight and the grill space is perfect for a small family. My favorite part is the ease of starting it, one little push button to ignite!”
  2. “Great little BBQ! – I received it in excellent condition and love the red. Not too heavy for me and fits perfectly in the case i got for it from Amazon. Also fits in my deck box so i can keep it outside.”
  3. “Awesome unit! – The prices and unit are awesome, love it! I’m getting excellent range anywhere in my house, never lose connection to the smoker 60’ away and through several walls. Probes are made to last, seem accurate.”

For pontoon boat owners who value versatility and ease of use, the Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet Portable Tabletop Propane Gas Grill is an excellent choice. Its compact size, quick heating capabilities, and portability make it a great option for both on-water and onshore grilling experiences.

Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill

The Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill is a premium option for pontoon boat owners who demand top-quality performance and durability. This grill features a unique kettle design that’s both attractive and functional, offering excellent heat retention and distribution for consistent cooking results.

Constructed from 100% 18-9 mirror polished stainless steel, this grill is built to withstand the harsh marine environment. It offers 189 square inches of cooking space, which is generous for a boat grill and can easily handle meals for larger groups.

Magma Products, Party Size Marine Kettle Gas Grill, A10-215

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Highlights

Specifications

One of the standout features of the Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill is its hinged lid with a stay-cool handle. This design allows for easy access to your food while keeping your hands safe from the heat. The grill also features a windproof turbo venturi and control valve, which helps maintain consistent heat even in windy conditions – a common challenge when grilling on a boat.

Customer Reviews for Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill

  1. “Love to fish in your boat – Clamps on the rail of your boat works great for the barbecue boat fisherman”
  2. “Perfect fit to the BBQ – Perfect fit up to the matching Kuuma BBQ”
  3. “Very sturdy – Will not work on our boat” (Note: This review seems to be about a mounting accessory rather than the grill itself)

The Magma Products Marine Kettle Gas Grill is an excellent choice for pontoon boat owners who want a high-quality, durable grill that can handle the demands of marine use. Its combination of sturdy construction, efficient design, and generous cooking space makes it a top contender for serious on-water grillers.

Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill

The Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill is a versatile and compact option designed specifically for use on boats. This grill offers a good balance of cooking space and portability, making it an excellent choice for pontoon boat owners who want a dedicated marine grill without sacrificing too much deck space.

With 189 square inches of cooking surface, this grill provides ample room for preparing meals for small to medium-sized groups. The lid of the grill doubles as a 130 square inch griddle, adding versatility to your cooking options – perfect for breakfast items or searing delicate foods.

Springfield Marine 1940052 Deluxe Barbeque Grill

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Highlights

Specifications

The Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill is designed to be easily mounted on your pontoon boat, providing a secure and stable cooking surface even in choppy waters. When not in use, it can be easily removed and stored, making it a convenient option for boat owners with limited space.

Customer Reviews for Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill

  1. “Perfect in the Pontoon! – We purchased this for our pontoon and LOVE it. It mounts directly on the post that the back table near the captain’s chair uses. It was easy to assemble (coming from a guy who hates to assemble things) is easy to setup on the boat, and stores directly underneath one of the chairs.”
  2. “Use a long match to light. – First time is used it I did not notice the burner did not light all the way, only part of it lit. So as you can imagine it did not work very well. I decided to give it a second chance and realized you need to run a flame all the way around the burner to make sure it lights all around. It worked great, I use it on my boat and it is stable using the pedestal mount.”
  3. “Pontoon grill – We have a pontoon boat with storage on the end of the seating that houses this grill like it was made for it. The concern about the flame going out does happen but we found if we do not close the cover fully for venting, this happens much less often.”

While the Springfield Marine Deluxe Barbeque Grill has some mixed reviews, it remains a popular choice for pontoon boat owners due to its compact size and versatility. The dual-purpose lid/griddle is a standout feature, allowing you to expand your cooking options while on the water.

Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill

The Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill is a premium option for pontoon boat owners who want a high-performance grill with ample cooking space. This grill offers 216 square inches of cooking area, making it one of the larger options in our lineup and perfect for entertaining larger groups on your pontoon boat.

One of the standout features of this grill is its Stow N’Go design, which allows for easy storage and transport. This is particularly useful for boat owners who may need to remove the grill when not in use or transport it between different locations.

Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill | Features Built-In Thermometer & Push-Button Igniter | Includes Fold Away Legs & Removable Warming Rack | Use as Camping Stove and More (58155)

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Highlights

Specifications

The Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill features a built-in thermometer, allowing you to monitor and control the cooking temperature easily. This is particularly useful when grilling different types of food that require varying heat levels. The push-button igniter ensures easy starts, even in windy conditions.

Customer Reviews for Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill

  1. “Love it – This grill gets the job done. It lights right up in the wind and cooks good and hot. It does get hotter on one side than the other but it’s actually a plus when you need to cook something a little slower while everything else needs more.”
  2. “Great grill! – I read the reviews about the regulator being set wrong so I was a little apprehensive when I ordered one. I received the grill and sure enough I had to turn the adjustment screw all the way in to get it set right. Once I did that, it cooks great!”
  3. “Super happy with our pontoon BBQ – We did a ton of research before buying this BBQ and glad we did! This bad boy heats and cooks quick! Easy to store in the bag (purchased separately) and is very sturdy.”

For pontoon boat owners looking for a large, versatile grill with easy storage options, the Camco Kuuma Stow N’Go 216 Elite Propane Grill is an excellent choice. Its combination of ample cooking space, convenient features, and portability make it a top contender for serious on-water grillers.

Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 Portable TRU-Infrared Liquid Propane Gas Grill

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is a rugged and portable option that’s perfect for pontoon boat owners who want a durable, high-performance grill. This grill features Char-Broil’s TRU-Infrared cooking system, which provides even heat distribution and prevents flare-ups – a significant advantage when cooking on a potentially unstable surface like a boat.

With 200 square inches of cooking space, this grill offers ample room for preparing meals for small to medium-sized groups. Its cast aluminum firebox and lid are built to withstand the rigors of outdoor and marine use, making it a durable choice for pontoon boat grilling.

Charbroil® Grill2Go X200 Amplifire Cooking Technology 1-Burner Portable Propane Gas Stainless Steel Grill - 21401734

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Highlights

Specifications

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 features a push-button ignition for easy starts and a lid-mounted temperature gauge for precise heat control. Its compact design and sturdy construction make it ideal for use on a pontoon boat, where space may be limited and durability is essential.

Customer Reviews for Char-Broil Grill2Go X200

  1. “Great portable grill – that runs VERY HOT! – The grill is made of good quality. My only issue is that it is VERY EASY TO BURN FOOD. The temperature runs extremely HOT on this grill.”
  2. “Compact and tidy. – This isn’t the hottest grill in the world, but it is the only one we found that fits (with legs folded) in the rather shallow rear compartment of our Roadtrek 190P. Tried it out and it’s a keeper for camping trips.”
  3. “Easy to use, loved it for the past 2 years! – This is a kick butt little grill. It’s super stable with the wide legs, light weight and the grill space is perfect for a small family. My favorite part is the ease of starting it, one little push button to ignite!”

The Char-Broil Grill2Go X200 is an excellent choice for pontoon boat owners who prioritize durability and even cooking performance. Its infrared technology and robust construction make it well-suited for the challenges of on-water grilling.

How to Choose the Best Pontoon Boat Grill

When selecting a pontoon boat grill, consider these key factors:

  1. Cooking area – Ensure the grill provides enough space for your typical cooking needs. Most pontoon boat grills offer between 145-200 square inches of primary cooking space.
  2. BTU output – Higher BTU ratings generally mean more heating power, but also consider BTUs per square inch for a better efficiency comparison. Look for grills with 5,000-13,000 BTUs for optimal performance.
  3. Construction materials – Look for marine-grade stainless steel or high-quality aluminum for durability and corrosion resistance. Porcelain-coated grates offer excellent heat retention and easy cleaning.
  4. Mounting options – Consider grills that can be securely mounted to your pontoon boat railings or have stable bases for tabletop use. Ensure compatibility with your boat’s layout.
  5. Portability – If you plan to use the grill both on and off the boat, choose a model that’s lightweight and easy to transport. Look for folding legs or compact designs.
  6. Wind resistance – Opt for grills with windscreens or designs that help maintain consistent heat in breezy conditions on the water.
  7. Fuel type – Most pontoon boat grills use propane, which is convenient and readily available. Ensure your chosen grill is compatible with easily transportable propane canisters.
  8. Additional features – Consider extras like built-in thermometers, easy-clean systems, and infrared technology for even heat distribution.
  9. Warranty – A longer warranty period often indicates the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s durability. Look for grills with solid warranty coverage for marine use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Are pontoon boat grills safe to use?

A: Yes, pontoon boat grills are safe when used properly. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, ensure proper ventilation, and never leave the grill unattended while in use.

Q: Can I use a regular grill on my pontoon boat?

A: While it’s possible to use a regular grill, it’s not recommended. Pontoon boat grills are designed specifically for marine use, with features that enhance safety and stability on the water.

Q: How do I clean and maintain my pontoon boat grill?

A: Clean your grill after each use, paying special attention to grease buildup. Use marine-grade cleaning products and regularly inspect for signs of corrosion or wear.

Q: What type of fuel is best for pontoon boat grills?

A: Propane is the most common and convenient fuel for pontoon boat grills. It’s readily available and easy to transport in small, portable tanks.

Q: Can I leave my grill mounted on the pontoon boat when not in use?

A: While many grills are designed to withstand marine environments, it’s best to remove and store your grill when not in use to protect it from the elements and extend its lifespan.

Q: How much cooking space do I need on my pontoon boat grill?

A: The ideal cooking space depends on your group size. As a general rule, allow about 70-100 square inches per person for comfortable cooking.

Q: Are infrared grills better for pontoon boats?

A: Infrared grills can be excellent for pontoon boats as they provide even heat distribution and reduce flare-ups, which is beneficial in potentially unstable marine environments.

Q: How do I secure my grill to prevent it from moving while the boat is in motion?

A: Most pontoon boat grills come with mounting brackets or can be used with aftermarket mounts designed specifically for marine use. Always ensure your grill is securely fastened before operating your boat.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pontoon boat grill can significantly enhance your on-water cooking experience. Whether you opt for the versatile Magma Products A10-703 Marine Gas Grill, the compact Cuisinart CGG-180T Petit Gourmet, or the high-performance Char-Broil Grill2Go X200, there’s a perfect grill out there for every pontoon boat owner.

Remember to consider factors like size, durability, and mounting options when making your choice. With the right grill, you’ll be well-equipped to create delicious meals and lasting memories on your pontoon boat adventures.

Happy grilling on the water!

4.7/5 - (13 votes)

Chris Johns

Chris is the founder of BBQ Report® and has been an avid barbecue fan for over 20 years. His mission is to make grilling and smoking the best food possible easy for everyone. And each year, he continues to help more people with grilling, smoking, and barbecue recipe recommendations.