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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Magma Grill advice

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BLEE
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/09/2006 : 20:23:44

I am considering buying a new grill to replace my Force 10. I just bought the boat last Sep and the Force 10 grill came with it. I have not been impressed with its cooking capability as though I have thoroughly cleaned it, it only cooks on one side and very slowly. As a result, I am considering buying a new magma grill. There lies my question.....is the standard Magma grill sufficient and capable to cook 3-4 small steaks or hamburgers, or is a larger grill needed. If a larger grill is needed, what is the trade-off to consider on space. I would appreciate any of you experienced Magma Griller's adice.

thanks
Bob

Knotty Dream

Edited by - on

raulpou
Navigator

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144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2006 : 22:00:52

I just purchased a Magma Grill and it was the one with the built in igniter and the hinged top cover. I found the latter to be very important since I did not want to loose the top being careless. AS for the quality of the grill, I believe it cooks very well. What is also nice about the Magma Grill is that there is a lot available for it. For example: covers, rail mounts, extensions...

I think it was a very good investment. Hope this helps!

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/09/2006 : 22:41:57

Warning about the propane version of the Magma Grill. It has three settings on the fuel regulator: low, medium, and high. In terms of actual cooking of meat (especially chicken or hamburger), these settings should be interpreted as: Burned, Incinerated, and Cremated. Even on the lowest flame setting, skin-on chicken or regular hamburger will be engulfed in a raging inferno of burning fat drippings within five minutes. I recommend keeping a spray bottle of water handy to dampen the flames periodically. My Magma grill, even on the lowest flame setting, will turn chicken into pure charcoal if not carefully monitored and the gas turned off whenever the flames get out of hand.

Edited by - lcharlot on 07/09/2006 22:42:25

Jonathan Cuff
Navigator

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Cayman Island
173 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 07:52:22

We just have the standard size Magma charcoal BBQ, and that's enough room to cook 4 1/4 pounders which suits us fine!

I prefer the charcoal to gas as the quick lighting coals get things going quickly anyway. It took us a year to use the BBQ after we bought it, but as soon as we did, we now use it almost every time we're out. We're really pleased with it.

Cheers Jonathan

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 08:30:27

We have the Magma propane grill - party size - with the auto-igniter and hinged top. Love it (more importantly, the admiral loves it)and use it every time we're on the hook. It's mounted off the stern rail and never in the way. There's going to be plenty of times that you'll be glad you went with the bigger size.

We have not had the unpleasant experiences with the regulator that Larry has had. Ours has a smooth flow from low through high flame and burning the meat hasn't been an issue.

Steve

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 08:36:51

I bought a standard Magma grill on ebay and used it a few times. I found it a bit tempramental--it sometimes cooked too hot, and the wind tended to blow it out. Then a friend of mine bought the Magma Newport. I liked it so well I bought one too. It's rectangular with a hinged lid--much more user-friendly than the kettle style.

I'm going to try it out for the first time tomorrow, when we're race committee. I always like to have the aroma of a roast leg 'o lamb wafting down the finish line as we take down sail numbers.

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 09:11:16

I have the standard old Magma propane grill. The cover is not hinged, but it does have a wire attached which keeps it from falling overboard.
I have had no problems with the regulator, it is continuously controlled, not three speed
When sailing I put the factory cover on it, but remove the lower tube and regulator, store it in a baggie in one of the drawers in the cabin.
the wrench handle which attaches it to your rail will come off, so I have a spare in the srawer too (how obsessive/compulsive of me)
I light mine with one of those extended fireplace lighters.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 09:19:44

The charcoal Magma kettle is the favored grill at our lake. I have one but am too embarrassed to put it on my rail. It really is the ultimate editorial comment on your sailing priorities.

Edited by - on

PamC
Navigator

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171 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 10:12:56

We have the regular, propane Magma. Haven't had the problem with incinerating meats, but we do tend to cook at the lower temps. Ours doesn't have a hinged lid, but the lid has a large washer on the inside under the knob that you hook onto the edge of the grill to keep handy, but free up your hands. I like that arrangement as I can position it in the best spot to block the wind. Also has a wire lanyard in case it does drop it's not lost. After spinning the neat tightening wrench off into the depths of Puget Sound I also attached a lanyard to the end of that. I think it holds 4 meat servings just fine. We also use our Pampered Chef pizza stone on it to cook pizza! It fits perfect.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 12:09:57

We bought a Sea-B-Q from WM and love the ease of removal from the rail. All that resides on the rail is an unobtrusive quick release bracket.
I'm impressed with the temp control and even heat distribution.

Edited by - on

Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 12:10:31

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by lcharlot
 these settings should be interpreted as: Burned, Incinerated, and Cremated.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I like to say thanks for the laugh, I really needed it this morning. I laughed so loud that heads were turning towards me. Back undercover

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 14:37:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 The charcoal Magma kettle is the favored grill at our lake. I have one but am too embarrassed to put it on my rail. It really is the ultimate editorial comment on your sailing priorities.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
It sure is for us...and proud of it!

Oh, and I forgot to mention the new Magma grill is way more wind resistant than the old one. It keeps on truckin in breezes that would have blown the flame out on the old one.

Steve

Edited by - Lightnup on 07/10/2006 14:39:52

raulpou
Navigator

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144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 17:46:19

Edited by - on

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 19:35:29

Yeah Frank, please explain that.
I cruise with my Magma attached. Should I be embarassed, and I'm too dumb to know it? I also cruise with a 12 volt blender too.

Edited by - on

BLEE
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 20:53:26

Thanks to all for your replies. Its nice to hear the experience of others before making the plunge on some of these investments!!!

Edited by - on

Tradewind
Admiral

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USA
531 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 21:21:04

My standard charcoal Magma turned 25 this year, still love it. I've had to replace the grill part a few years ago but that's not bad for a 25 year old grill.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2006 : 22:24:44

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by raulpou
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 The charcoal Magma kettle is the favored grill at our lake. I have one but am too embarrassed to put it on my rail. It really is the ultimate editorial comment on your sailing priorities.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You may have to explain about the embarrasment...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
That I have hang-ups about my retirement from competitive sailing is my own cross to bare.

But I did add all that teak to the interior last winter so I really should deal with it soon.

Edited by - on

indiejoe
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2006 : 15:17:52

I have the charcoal Magma kettle (ebay purchase) mounted on the railing and we love it. (and I'm not embarrassed to have it there) Of course, I use a charcoal Weber kettle at the house, so I may be biased in favor of the charcoal kettle. I've no problems whatsoever with the Magma and would recommend it to anyone.

Edited by - on

RedRedWhine
Navigator

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USA
167 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2006 : 22:20:54

I have a dumb question. I have a "Magma" gas grill and like it a lot. For those who use charcoal what do you do with the hot coals if you want to sail? When I am at the Lake and there is no wind I light my Magma and the wind starts to blow hard, never fails. Just like when I had a ski boat and wanted to ski it was always windy and chop. Now that I want to sail it is like glass and little wind. I was just wondering... thanks

Edited by - on

indiejoe
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2006 : 18:55:50

So far, I haven't had a need to immediately set sail with hot coals. When sailing, I don't light 'em up.

Edited by - indiejoe on 07/12/2006 18:56:47

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 07/15/2006 : 09:58:57

The "hot coals" issue and the mess are the main reasons that I like the gas Magma. I used charcoal for YEARS, but got tired of the wait, the mess and the cool down time, so switched to the hinged lid gas Magma. It cooks a BUNCH of food for a C25 crew, IMHO.

I would not go back to charcoal on the boat, but still use it on the Weber at home.....

I take it OFF when racing, where it lives in the dock box, but wouldn't go cruising without it!

Gary B.
s/v Encore! #685

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