New To Us Grill

Griddle master

Last year we used our Magma BBQ quite a bit.  Even though I altered the cover to add extra protection, the inside components still seem to last only one year.  We are not the only one.  ALL the cruisers we have talked to have the same issue – replacing parts annually because they aren’t made to last.  The rub is that these annual parts are EXPENSIVE!  And the grills themselves are not cheap so buying a new grill annually is not an option either.  We try to watch ebay, Amazon or stops at Sailorman (In Ft Lauderdale) to get discount parts but it is frustrating.  This year, we were looking at well over $100 to get it up and running again.  I suggested we have the parts custom made in Trini so the quality would be better and last longer but we never got around to it.

One morning on the local VHF net, a cruiser offered up their Australia BBQ under the Treasures of the Bilge section.  “Tom – an Aussie BBQ.  They build those things like tanks.  Go see what that is all about.”  Tom did.  It’s a Southern Stainless grill.  *I know, Southern & Aussie = odd.  But they ARE southern as in southern hemisphere. 

Anyway, Tom did some pondering.  It is slightly bigger than our round Magma but not too big.  He would need to configure a mount for the rail.  And it is actually a griddle vs grill.  It runs on propane but instead of a grate and flame, it has a flat cooktop.  $200.00.  What the heck.  We are going to have to put close to that into parts for another season with the old Magma.  Sold! 

It is actually bigger than we thought but still manageable, barely.  Tom cleaned it up like new.  We did our first test out on the dock.  It was Willie’s birthday so Tom cooked up a big batch of birthday bacon because who doesn’t like bacon for the bday and anyone can do cake!  Success.  Okay, I guess we need to figure out a mount.  Mitchell was still working on our stainless bow pulpit, Tom had him fashion two rail mounts for the BBQ.  The first was crooked.  Mitchell fixed it.

Side project – Our favorite cheese slicer finally broke at the wooden handle.  I have been searching for a new one for over a year because I knew it was going to break.  No luck.  Tom took it to Mitchell and he welded up a new handle out of all stainless steel.  Beefy.  This cheese slicer was a gift from my Norwegian AFS family so I am extra happy that it now has a second life.   Plus we love this style cheese slicer.  The wire ones are rubbish!