Kuuma BBQ

[Lenny and Louise]

We recently stumbled across a display of "Kuuma" brand grills. Portable grills, suitable for beach, picnic, patio, and (allegedly) boats. Have any of you been shipmates with one of these fellows? We have been disappointed with "another popular brand" and are contemplating a change. We would appreciate any comments, thoughts, suggestions.

 

[Scuffy]

We have used our Dickinson Spitfire 180 grill for six years. Sturdy, still lights up with the original piezo electric igniter. You can get a griddle plate for one half of it to be able to do eggs, bacon etc. Working pretty well in moderately windy conditions. They are a little pricey but it's done well for us. No parts required yet. Other boaters borrow it. We use it to cook steaks, garlic bread, fish wrapped in tin foil with veggies, capers etc. If no ones too close we will do a package of chicken thighs which get a little smoky but the grill does a nice job. I think Defender still sells them. They have cover available a we have a 1/4 piece of aluminum with a rod that hold it onto the plate so it is easily removed for land use. We also carry one the those inversion cookers as seen on TV with a nested pot set made for induction cookers. This way we avoid cooking on the boats propane stove unless need be. Clean up seems to be easier using the grill and the induction hot plate. Sometimes we carry one of those cheap Butane cartage stoves that come in their own little case for back up. They are handy if you participate in potluck's etc. Don't know much about Kuuma other than they seem to be cheaper to buy.

 

[stwendl]

Speaking for neither manufacturer the price usually reflects quality of assembly and material and hopefully service. However on a simple product like this service is neglectable

Afte some time companies try to save money, produce offshore, use lower quality metal

Once offshore production is in place the design gets easily transferred and even cheaper clones show up

 

[SnugTug]

I have a Kuuma grill that we mount on the port side stern rail. Rail Mount attaches easily to underside of grill housing and has a single rail clamp with four bots to secure to rail. Mount was sold separately and can also be used with a post type mount for use ashore. Also got a canvas cover bag that doubles as a carry bag for storage and transport. Generally speaking, it seems to be of comparable construction and weight as the similar Magma grills I have seen. Works just fine - stainless grates are sturdy enough. Housing can get very hot, so don't let the kids get too close.

I'll look for a pic to post.

Cheers

 

[SnugTug]

Posted a pic of our rail-mounted Kuuma grill with cover on. Only one I had to share. Hope this helped.

My album is "SnugTug" and this pic is in the "Mods" folder.

 

[seadot]

I replaced my Magma grill with a Kuuma this summer. I could never get the Magma to work right. Finally gave up. I purchased the attachment that allows you to use your fishing rod holder. Works great and I store the grill and rod holder attachment under the cooler of my Cutwater 28. Fits great with room for propane.

 

[Scuffy]

A picture of our grill and mounting plate docked in Reach Harbor marina on the Trent Severn water way. The hooded sweat shirt was a Rube Goldberg temporary wind block. The grill is cantilevered of the back cockpit rail via bolts. The swim platform rail seen in the picture has no part of the mounting. The plates mounting position still leaves room to be able to use the swim platform for boarding etc. An aluminum plate has raised blocks attached to accept a 1/4" stainless rod that is bent with a 90 degree bent at one end and a hole and a stainless steel hitch pin clip at the other. The support legs on the grill are drilled to match the holes in the raised blocks. A support leg is hinged off the bottom of the plate and has a small stainless steel turn buckle attached by pins that go through eyes and the bottom of the plate and an eye thru the aluminum support leg. A rubber cap like floor protector that fits snuggly on the bottom of the aluminum support leg. It is just touching the boats rub rail. The four large eyes seen on the plate are for bungee cords to hold the grills cover closed along with making sure the grill's protective cover stays on. You can just barely see the end of the removable rod behind one of the eyes on the left side of the grill plate. I have fashioned a starboard bait cutting board to fit the plate when the grill is off using the same set up with the rod and blocks. No holes in the boat and it's a sturdy set up. Keeps blood and guts from fishing trips out of the cockpit. The grill mount that fits in a rod holder from the manufacturer just simply did not cut the mustard. Over engineering for sure.

 

[BradOwens]

We ordered a Kuuma grill from Amazon.Com last night and the mailman just delivered it! We'll be mounting it on the stern rail of our R29 "Serendipity"

 

[SnugTug]

Good luck with it Brad. We enjoy ours.

 

[adventres]

Ok, now you all got me thinking. Which kuuma bbq did you get? I was looking at the Magma Catalina.
thanks,
Lisa

 

[SnugTug]

Stow N' Go 160
http://www.kuumaproducts.com/#!160/c17ae

Rail mount #58182
http://www.kuumaproducts.com/#!railmounts/c168f

 

[Lenny and Louise]

Thanks folks!
Any other thoughts or experience?

 

[dkoivu]

When we were at the rendezvous last Sept. our neighboring boat had a Magna Catalina mounted on the port rear railing. When he opened it to bbq I was wholey impressed. I know it is approximately $100 more than the Kuuma BUT if you plan on using it the $100 is well worth it. For it has a folding upper grill to get your goodies away from the heat and not only that it has a foldout table in front of it to put your plates, grilling tools, spices etc. Check it out. Happy BBQing. Enjoy the looper seminar.
Dave and Bette
Sisu

 

[Helgerso]

Lenny

I replaced Kuuma with a magma and was very happy. No matter how I adjusted the Kuuma I couldn't get the heat I wanted. The magma bracket mounted to the back swim deck rail perfectly. A little pricey but worth every penny.

Bryce