philbyrd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2019
- Messages
- 49
- Fluid Motion Model
- C-24 C
- Vessel Name
- 2021 R-25 OB SuperByrd
All, I took delivery of my boat and could not be more thrilled with the delivery experience and the boat. It is still at the dealer marina for a few minor fixes (Pocket Yacht), but I will have it in home port soon. I thought of making a long post with various observations that may help others who are considering or waiting on the R25, but seems better to address individual topics so Tugnuters can read as they are interested.
I already posted on the factory lithium battery array, see my posts and gallery. I will make some observations on the monitoring at some point.
Today, the grill is the topic, which I did not know what to expect or how it would perform. Having previously lived in NYC for ten years in progressively smaller apartments (fortunately always with some outdoor space, the last being 24 inches wide so chairs had to be sideways!) I have had a couple small propane grills using the camping tanks. But I never had to go electric, which is all many of those buildings allow if anything. But I grill year round wherever I am. So I am now an official small grill expert.
Ranger specs the Kenyon electric grill, with no lid for grilling, mounted in the transom on the port side. Kenyon does appear to be "the" brand for electric grills, and they are expensive. There is a stainless steel flat cover that latches and canvas that snaps on top.
The lid folds back, and two "wings" fold up from each each that have a pin to secure. Much like that Coleman camp stove I remember from Boy Scouts.
Unlike some other models as I understand, the grill does not lift out to reveal a bait well. It is screwed in. Below is a surprisingly spacious compartment with a hatch. I have my coast guard kit in there now, but that will likely change. The space has possibility, as the grill is fed my a conventional duplex outlet tucked up and away. Handy for an extension cord, etc. while working on something, just turn on the grill breaker and leave the grill off. Heck, the locker could be a propane locker if someone wanted to mount a propane grill above. It is vented, and on top of the deck. Or the spot could be work for an ice-maker, as power is there and fresh water is on the other side at the transom shower head. Issue it circuit capacity, but easy to flip off another appliance when grill is used. Could also facilitate small slid out cooler.
The grill itself is has a nice non stick cooking surface, an electric coil burner, and a cheap foil drip tray. The drip tray surprised me with how crappy it was. Underneath, there is a frame, with a drain. Mine had a drain hose attached but taped up on the bottom, I uncoiled and led to the rear edge to drain, will attach more permanently in the future.
I cooked on it the two nights I stayed on the boat. Pre-made skewers from the super market with veggies, chicken and beef. It cooked fine, but was much slower than a normal grill, I am sure in part because no lid. It was cranked up pretty good, not maxed but 8/10. Second night was better as I took the meat off and made the cubes smaller. Despite the time, it cooked very well, very similar to a gas grill, with char marks but not burned and not dried out. I later read the manual and Kenyon recommends that you put water and flavoring in the drip tray. Seems that would make a mess andrequire replacing trays every session, I lined with aluminum foil.
Kenyon has accessories, and they are very expensive. 10 of the foil drip trays are $40. You can buy the same size generic on Amazon much cheaper. However, they may get me on a nonstick permanent drip tray, which is expensive but custom fit and one time purchase. The reviews indicate it is high quality like the grill surface. Kenyon offers a grill lid for lidless units, again very expensive They also make an expensive griddle to sub for the grill surface. I bought an IKEA "Grilla" that is virtually the same size, and can be a griddle sitting on the grill surface, and flipped over acts as a lid for the grill! Solves two problems for all of $15. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/grilla-gri ... -50055085/. God bless IKEA!
I think I will use the grill as a griddle for breakfast with the IKEA hardware. I am likely to use my Weber Q ( 1 lb camping tank) mounted to a heat proof surface sitting on top of the Kenyon for grilling. I will come up with some mounting system to secure. The Weber should store in the center lazerette if I extend the "generator platform" in front of the batteries. I was originally thinking of mounting the Weber on the starboard rail on a slid out bait table, but the boat has a grill station, why not use it for both! The Kenyon lid should fully protect under the Weber.
The Kenyon seems very usable, and great for marinas where propane grills are not allowed. With the lithium set up, I can realistically use it not on shore power. I see it is now is $1000 option, up from $800, but seems to me worth it as otherwise you only have a microwave and a single electric / alcohol burner inside. I had originally thought of a small toaster oven to supplement, but there really is no space for it. The small coffee maker I have is a push! It also give you a grill platform for a small propane grill as per my intent. The Weber Q is a much better small grill in my experience, plus it has small tables that fold out on each side, that nest on top when stored. And mine is orange, so things taste even better. I will likely store the small propane tanks in a hanging bag in the rear corner next to the grill, although I may find brackets and put them in the locker under the grill, as I see no bilge access from there and it is vented by the rear drainage.
More observations to come, next up, the "Sunset" shade option.
I already posted on the factory lithium battery array, see my posts and gallery. I will make some observations on the monitoring at some point.
Today, the grill is the topic, which I did not know what to expect or how it would perform. Having previously lived in NYC for ten years in progressively smaller apartments (fortunately always with some outdoor space, the last being 24 inches wide so chairs had to be sideways!) I have had a couple small propane grills using the camping tanks. But I never had to go electric, which is all many of those buildings allow if anything. But I grill year round wherever I am. So I am now an official small grill expert.
Ranger specs the Kenyon electric grill, with no lid for grilling, mounted in the transom on the port side. Kenyon does appear to be "the" brand for electric grills, and they are expensive. There is a stainless steel flat cover that latches and canvas that snaps on top.
The lid folds back, and two "wings" fold up from each each that have a pin to secure. Much like that Coleman camp stove I remember from Boy Scouts.
Unlike some other models as I understand, the grill does not lift out to reveal a bait well. It is screwed in. Below is a surprisingly spacious compartment with a hatch. I have my coast guard kit in there now, but that will likely change. The space has possibility, as the grill is fed my a conventional duplex outlet tucked up and away. Handy for an extension cord, etc. while working on something, just turn on the grill breaker and leave the grill off. Heck, the locker could be a propane locker if someone wanted to mount a propane grill above. It is vented, and on top of the deck. Or the spot could be work for an ice-maker, as power is there and fresh water is on the other side at the transom shower head. Issue it circuit capacity, but easy to flip off another appliance when grill is used. Could also facilitate small slid out cooler.
The grill itself is has a nice non stick cooking surface, an electric coil burner, and a cheap foil drip tray. The drip tray surprised me with how crappy it was. Underneath, there is a frame, with a drain. Mine had a drain hose attached but taped up on the bottom, I uncoiled and led to the rear edge to drain, will attach more permanently in the future.
I cooked on it the two nights I stayed on the boat. Pre-made skewers from the super market with veggies, chicken and beef. It cooked fine, but was much slower than a normal grill, I am sure in part because no lid. It was cranked up pretty good, not maxed but 8/10. Second night was better as I took the meat off and made the cubes smaller. Despite the time, it cooked very well, very similar to a gas grill, with char marks but not burned and not dried out. I later read the manual and Kenyon recommends that you put water and flavoring in the drip tray. Seems that would make a mess andrequire replacing trays every session, I lined with aluminum foil.
Kenyon has accessories, and they are very expensive. 10 of the foil drip trays are $40. You can buy the same size generic on Amazon much cheaper. However, they may get me on a nonstick permanent drip tray, which is expensive but custom fit and one time purchase. The reviews indicate it is high quality like the grill surface. Kenyon offers a grill lid for lidless units, again very expensive They also make an expensive griddle to sub for the grill surface. I bought an IKEA "Grilla" that is virtually the same size, and can be a griddle sitting on the grill surface, and flipped over acts as a lid for the grill! Solves two problems for all of $15. https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/grilla-gri ... -50055085/. God bless IKEA!
I think I will use the grill as a griddle for breakfast with the IKEA hardware. I am likely to use my Weber Q ( 1 lb camping tank) mounted to a heat proof surface sitting on top of the Kenyon for grilling. I will come up with some mounting system to secure. The Weber should store in the center lazerette if I extend the "generator platform" in front of the batteries. I was originally thinking of mounting the Weber on the starboard rail on a slid out bait table, but the boat has a grill station, why not use it for both! The Kenyon lid should fully protect under the Weber.
The Kenyon seems very usable, and great for marinas where propane grills are not allowed. With the lithium set up, I can realistically use it not on shore power. I see it is now is $1000 option, up from $800, but seems to me worth it as otherwise you only have a microwave and a single electric / alcohol burner inside. I had originally thought of a small toaster oven to supplement, but there really is no space for it. The small coffee maker I have is a push! It also give you a grill platform for a small propane grill as per my intent. The Weber Q is a much better small grill in my experience, plus it has small tables that fold out on each side, that nest on top when stored. And mine is orange, so things taste even better. I will likely store the small propane tanks in a hanging bag in the rear corner next to the grill, although I may find brackets and put them in the locker under the grill, as I see no bilge access from there and it is vented by the rear drainage.
More observations to come, next up, the "Sunset" shade option.