Propane Grill on boat ?

[PAkev]

I have seen a few pontoon setups with propane (gas) grills and like the idea of being able to have the convenience of BBQing on the deck. Although this may be a common practice on pontoon boats, I have a notion that it may not be as safe on some other types of boats; particularlly with cabins and inboards where gas fumes can build up in the bilge area. The boat I would be interested using it on however is a 20ft center console with an OB motor. I think I've seen a gimbel mounted grill somewhere along the way. Other than the possibility of dribbling some fat grease down the gel coat, does it really seem to be far enough away from the things that can ruin your day by going boom .<br /><br />Thoughts appreciated.<br /><br />Kevin

 

[JB]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I agree with you about the potential hazards of propane on a boat with a bilge, Kev.<br /><br />We do all of our grilling ashore, with the right stuff. . .charcoal or wood fire coals.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Such grills are pretty common on sailboats around here. They look like little stainless steel Weber’s. lid is hinged to fold up and out of the way without worry of dropping into the water. Mount to a rail or deck top and hang over the edge of the boat. Briquette or gas. Crud and hot stuff drips into the water. Available almost anywhere boating stuff is sold.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Propane cylinders should be (and may even be required to be) installed in an enclosed, airtight container with a drain line at the bottom that bleeds overboard. Any gas that leaks from the cylinder is trapped in the airtight container. It’s heavier than air so it bleed out the line and dissipates outside the boat. The box does not need to hold pressure, just needs to be airtight.<br /><br />You should be sitting down when you see the price of a fiberglass box and a lid with rubber seal that is approved for holding a propane cylinder.

 

[DJ]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Propane and a bilge area. BAD NEWS!<br /><br />Propane, well vented-OK.<br /><br />Nough said. Be careful.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

18rabbit, I don't believe they are air tight, they usually vent off below the holding system as propane is heavier than air. I would think if installed properly that with an outboard configuration you would actually be safer than a sailboat.<br /><br />With that said, They are fairly small so they aren't for a big outing like the ones on a pontoon boat, and they tend to be in the way far more often then they are used. This comes from my experience in the sailboat charter busness during my college days. <br /><br />Gas cylinders on a boat are never a great thing.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I have seen many boaters with gas grills either mounted on stern rails,bow rails,swim platforms.I really have to disagree with the whole idea.TOO DARN DANGEROUS!!!!!I cant believe anyone would take a chance like that .To me it is an accident waiting to happen.Last season as I was backing into a slip,the boat in the adjacent slip had a grill mounted to his bow rail,the wind pushed me a bit while docking and I put my arm out to fend off his bow and burned my arm on his grill.the creepy pr!ck didnt even mention that the grill was hot.I guess that says something for the type of person that would be stupid enough to grill on their boat.Sorry if I offended anyone that is careful enough to do it the right way ,but to me the right way is to grill on land!!! Charlie

 

[bomar76]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

There has to be 300 of us using the rail mount Magma's @ Alum and oddly enough none of us have blown up.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Well you keep right on using it Bromar and I will put a few marshmallows on a stick and wait for you to give me a light.Eventually you or your 299 friends will be available to light my marshmallows.

 

[bomar76]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Whatever.....

 

[flashback]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

Personally, i wouldn't have the stuff on my boat, there are just too many variables that can happen. Although a lot of folks do use the magma and force rail mounted grills. and under normal conditions they are safe. But! what about the guy who stores a couple of extra cylinders of gas in a cockpit locker and one of those cylinders starts to leak... If I had a grill or stove I would at least use CNG. a bit more expensive but a whole lot safer...........

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I am guessing from the nature of the posts in this thread there is not a lot of people on this forum that have a galley in their boat?!? There are four primary fuel choices for a galley, electric, pressurized diesel/kerosene, pressurized alcohol, or propane. Propane is stored outside, on deck or higher, inside a box designed for its storage, to allow any leaking gas to be contained and vented out and away from the boat. I would be much more concerned with gasoline fumes collecting in the bilge than a propane box on top.<br /><br />Pointer – the boxes I have seen (and priced! $$$ Ouch! $$$) for propane cylinder storage have a rubber compression seal on the lid to keep any gas from working its way up and out. At the bottom of the box is a nipple to attach the drain line, to be routed over the edge of the boat. Any gas leaks inside the box will be confined there until the gas drifts out the drain hose. There is no valve on the drain line so the gas, being heavier than air, flows out on it’s own. It was late when I wrote the above posting...sorry, I wasn’t clear.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I am guessing from the nature of the posts in this thread there is not a lot of people on this forum that have a galley in their boat?!? There are four primary fuel choices for a galley, electric, pressurized diesel/kerosene, pressurized alcohol, or propane. Propane is stored outside, on deck or higher, inside a box designed for its storage, to allow any leaking gas to be contained and vented out and away from the boat. I would be much more concerned with gasoline fumes collecting in the bilge than a propane box on top.<br /><br />Pointer – the boxes I have seen (and priced! $$$ Ouch! $$$) for propane cylinder storage have a rubber compression seal on the lid to keep any gas from working its way up and out. At the bottom of the box is a nipple to attach the drain line, to be routed over the edge of the boat. Any gas leaks inside the box will be confined there until the gas drifts out the drain hose. There is no valve on the drain line so the gas, being heavier than air, flows out on it’s own. It was late when I wrote the above posting...sorry, I wasn’t clear.

 

[airman]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I, and virtually all of my neighbours in the marina, have propane grills on our boats. Charlie, I have to disagree with you. Like anything else on boats, propane can be dangerous if mishandled. Gasoline is certainly not a lot safer, IMHO. People with diesel boats talk about how horribly dangerous gas boats are and those with gas boats say those with propane are foolish. And there are probably lots of people with jet boats that think propellers should be banned. The best setup I've seen is our neighbour who has a cheap barbeque mounted on a post on his swim grid. Everything is overboard and he buys a new one for $30 whenever it rusts out.

 

[mole2]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

There are hundreds of people around here who use the Force or Magma grills. I use a Magma grill like this one:<br /><br /> http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/...51&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&productId=454418 <br /><br />I have the rod holder mount which hangs it out over the water when cooking.<br /><br /> http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/...-1&productId=454419&topCategory=&prod1=454418 <br /><br />The most important thing is you do not transport propane bottles in anything other than a propane locker. If your boat is not equipped with a propane locker you can purchase a portable "locker" like this one made by Magma.<br /><br /> http://www.boatersworld.com/webapp/...&productId=13087557&topCategory=&prod1=454418 <br /><br />This is a USCG requirement as well as common sense. The portable "locker" is designed to be dropped overboard in an emergency. You can attach a rope for retrieval. You NEVER store propane in a common locker, the cabin, etc...it must be properly vented.<br /><br />Properly used the grill is safe and is quite enjoyable.

 

[Mikedg]

Re: Propane Grill on boat ?

I use a propane grill on board and have for the last 15 years. Properly mounted and kept away from gas tank vents they are fine. As has been said, the key issue is propane storage. In my case, the 5lb tank is mounted on my swim platform, where any leak will disperse quickly. Brackets are available to mount the tanks on both vertical and horizontal surfaces.