Recently a forum member posed a question about where to set up a gas grill onboard:

Amelia: Oh, it's a gorgeous spring day here in the back of beyond, and a girl's thoughts turn to houseboating—and barbecue. I'm eager to install a gas grill on the Lotus Eater, and looking for advice and experience. The boaty types like the over-the-rail Magma grills, and some prefer the cheaper tabletop units like the Weber portables. I could imagine using a nice leftover chunk of 2-by-12 bolted to the aft rail, cantilevered over the water between the two outboards (well clear of them), and mounting one of the 4-footed boat grills to that. I can imagine days where it's just too hot to light the stove in the galley.

On the other hand, Our Hero is a little reluctant to install a fire over the transom of his wooden boat, halfway between a couple of outboards, which are 12 feet apart, and not all that far from the (side-vented) inboard gas tanks in the pontoons immediately below-decks. He suggested mounting a grill, if I insist on one at all, on the bow rail, 50 feet ahead of where the food would be prepared, served, eaten, and cleaned up after, and unsheltered from the wind, when at anchor.

While I'm not looking to cause an explosion, I kind of like the back-porch idea. Thoughts on grill wisdom, brands, and where to put it?

Bamby: The houseboats in my area all seem to have a typical grill like you'd find people grilling at home on. The only observed variant is the fact that that they were somehow secured in place.

42gibson: We all use regular household grills bolted to our rails on the rear of the boat on the outside. Never a problem and it keeps it out of the way.

easttnboater: Mine is a standard 4 burner grill from Lowes. It is on my roof.

BananaTom: I had a Magna type which uses the little green propane bottles, mounted on the rear railing of mine. They are not cheap.

What grill set-up do you have, and what would you recommend? Jump on  www.houseboatmagazine.com/forum and share with us!