Cooking on board

Thanks to all of you who have responded to my question about cooking on board. I've held off buying one of the Magma kettle grills, it sounds like those units have a number of issues. Sounds like the rectangular design is a better option. I appreciate the thoughts on where folks have mounted their grills, that is very helpful. Not many C-Dorys in my part of the country to take a look at-so it's good to hear from you folks.
Regards,
Jack Howell
 
Aurelia":2ntk30q9 said:
There are many types of butane stoves and some have more control than others but if your is one of the single burner type roughly like this...


Then it should have a low setting that works fine. We have owned three of these type and they have all simmered very well.

Greg
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Mine looks to be a clone of that one. However, the low flame setting doesn't work, and it seems to be by design rather than just being "broken." I have not taken it apart, but it feels like there is a spring/detente type thing inside it. I can manually turn the knob down to a nice low flame, but if I let go, it "springs back" slightly and the flame gets larger (more gas). My guess was that it was a safety thing so that you could not turn it down low and have it blow out but the gas keep coming.

So, if someone knew of a specific one that was not like that, I would just buy another one. Maybe it's just this one model, or this one stove; but it gives me the feeling it is by design on this one. Mine is red but otherwise seems identical to the one you linked.
 
Here's a type of bbq I haven't seen before. It looks interesting. Certainly would answer some peoples need for speed when cooking. :P Don't know much about them or where to get them in NA. A neighbour I was talking to picked one up at the Vancouver boat show in Feb. Seems to like it but hasn't used it a lot.
http://www.lotusgrill.com.au/
 
Sunbeam, the stove that came as standard equipment on my Stingray is a Princess. It is a bit pricier than the Wal Mart specials, I think it is around the $100.CA mark. Not 100% sure but I think one difference might be in the safety features. For one thing - if the flame blows out the butane shuts off automatically. It worked great for the first 2 years then last year it started acting up. I did try to do a little research on it because I would rather spend some money on it than replace it with a cheaper model. I do see where it requires something called a sun battery which may be the problem and requires replacing, but have not got that far yet.

Regards, Rob
 
If/while I'm using a butane canister stove, I'd like to keep it portable/removable. Reasons are that I sometimes use it in the cockpit or ashore (adock), and also that for a permanently installed system using gas, I think I'd prefer an "official" propane system. The Princess was handy to use, and it was easy to pop the canister out to store it in the vented locker (port lazarette), but I'm still not totally comfortable with using these as a "permanent" solution.

I do appreciate your posting though. I have actually looked at the Princess enclosure and thought about using it with a regular propane burner (with tank in vented locker and the rest of the "official" system) just because I really like the form factor of the Princess enclosure-plus-cutting board that sits flush with the counter top. I had used one (albeit with the butane canisters) on Powell on a boat similar to a C-Dory and liked the form factor.

Kind of expensive if I'm just going to gut it, so maybe a better way would be to use it as a model and have someone just make up a "tray" from stainless that is similar, and fits a known cutting board. But I always like to have something to look at for an idea, even if I end up modifying it (was always better at remodeling places than building from scratch, too).

For those wondering, it looks like this, and as-made takes the butane canisters:

400459.jpg


For now I'm happy with the portable butane stove, but I just wish it would turn down to low! It sounds like some might, but since they are all clones (essentially), I hate to have to buy two, three, four (or more!) just so that I can test them to see if they do turn down low. If I had a specific brand/model that someone knew would go down very low (like to simmer rice after turning it down from boiling), then I could just buy that specific one. Mine absolutely does not (aggravating).

Edited to add: I see they say this is "ABYC compliant." I wonder how that works? Having a pretty good idea of the ABYC propane guidelines, I'm not sure how they consider this compliant, but I guess I'd have to think about that for a few minutes.

What makes me a bit uncomfortable with this or the portable version I am using now is the fact that the canisters are a commodity that is "cranked out" based on price, from what I can see, and I'm not as comfortable with the quality control as I would be with a DOT Cylinder (such as a regular propane system would use). If it were not for that, I would have no worry about using the stove and then putting the canister out in the locker afterward (which is what I do now, but wit some concern).
 
Thus far it seems all the grilling discussion revolves around propane fuel sources. We have had a Magma charcoal grill for about 15 years and it has served us very well. In fact it is on its second C-Dory, and we have used it both tied up and on the hook. Two elements have made it work well. First, I took my wood lathe and turned an adapter so we could use it in a rod holder socket and extend the grill beyond the side. Second, we only use match light charcoal which has started quickly every time. I have never wanted to carry gaseous fuels aboard, and this solution eliminated that concern.
Jack
 
jack keifer":rj52zofa said:
Thus far it seems all the grilling discussion revolves around propane fuel sources. We have had a Magma charcoal grill for about 15 years and it has served us very well. In fact it is on its second C-Dory, and we have used it both tied up and on the hook. Two elements have made it work well. First, I took my wood lathe and turned an adapter so we could use it in a rod holder socket and extend the grill beyond the side. Second, we only use match light charcoal which has started quickly every time. I have never wanted to carry gaseous fuels aboard, and this solution eliminated that concern.
Jack
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Jack-

I understand your concern with fuels. They can be dangerous, especially if handled poorly.

To me, the big drawbacks of charcoal are

1.) waiting for it to build into a fire hot enough to cook with and, also, free of starting fuel odors, and

2.) what do you do with the hot embers when you're done cooking? Wait for them to burn out naturally? How long does it take? Are you always on the hook or at the dock for the night? Do you simply dump them overboard?

These two problems can be characterized as "lag time" problems, one before cooking, the other after. Have any speedy solutions?

Personally, I like propane simply because of the shorter lag time on both ends.

Like everything else, it seems there are a lot of trade-offs with any choice!

FIRE AT WILL (the steaks, that is, when ready on the BBQ)! :lol:

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
Although I also share the concern about LP fuel in pressurized containers, we always keep outs in the port Lazarette, which is sealed off form the cockpit, and drains overboard. We had used charcoal for many years, but in the long run, we decided that the LP cylinders had more advantages and the charcoal many disadvantages. Each of us has to have our own comfort zones.
 
bcassal":2639gsqw said:
I had a magma grill and have found it to be wanting in so many ways! Apologies to all you magma fans, but mine is on the scrap pile.
I have a platform over the motor well on which I set a coleman fold and go grill, and also a single gas burner . We cook extensively on Carpy and I have found this combination far superior to the Magma. Thet stow much more conveniently than that big round thing with its big mounting contraption and both are far less expensive than the Magma. Pictures under modifications in my album.

Just my 2cents.

Carpy
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I love the platform over the motor well mod! I'm doing something similar, but mine looks much more amateurish. I'm intrigued by the side-table. How is that affixed?
 
The charcoal thing is nice. I like it when someone else does it.. But the secret to using blow type fuel (butane/propane is to drink enough alcohol before bedtime so you don't have bad dreams about dying in a huge fireball. :beer
D.D.
 
We have the round Magma and am happy. It does get hot but we seem to be able to adjust it fine.
They are prone to spider webs.
We store it in its bag in a locker under the dinette.
I mounted a base on the splash well so that I canturn it back so any grease drips into the splah well.
Jerry C Nile CD22
 
Joe
I always use Kingsford Match Light charcoal on the water, and I have found that it lights very easily and quickly with no odors. If there is a problem for me, sometimes I put in too many briquettes. Granted there are only two of us aboard so it is only two burgers or two steaks etc. We do use it just for grilling. On the 22 we had a Wallas stove to cook the other items, and now on the 16 we take a Coleman gas stove which fits nicely along with many other items under the bunk. The Match Light retains its starter fluid for a long time so it stores well on the boat. We let it burn out and the dump the ashes overboard. I do carry a pair of gloves to keep my hands clean. We have used it both on the hook and tied up at the dock and never had a problem with it. The grill was very handy on the 22 because if it was hot we never started the Wallas and kept the heat out of the cabin. Bob Austin is right in saying you should go with whatever you are most comfortable with.
Regards
Jack
 
jack keifer":b26ky9c9 said:
Joe on the Sea Wolf
I posted a reply to your questions, but have not seen it show up in the forum. Did you get it? If not I will resend.
Jack
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Jack-

If you're talking about the post two spaces above, yes, I read it.

Thanks!

It answered all of the questions I asked about your uses, so I should have thanked you for your responses.

You're absolutely right, each of us has to choose what we are comfortable with in the end.

Thanks, again!

Good Boating!

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
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