Tips for Safely Cooking on Your Boat

No boat adventure is complete without food and ice cold refreshments. If you’ll be cooking on your boat—whether on a marine grill or in a galley—the process is quite different than using your home’s kitchen.

First and foremost, you have to consider basic food safety principles. Food items that spoil—like meat and dairy—shouldn’t be left out for more than an hour. All meats should be cooked to safe temperatures, especially poultry. And remember to thoroughly clean all surfaces that come into contact with raw meat.

Since you’ll be active under the hot sun, lighter meals are often easier on your body than a heavy meal. Remember to keep it simple. Food that can be eaten by hand or using only a fork are best for serving up on board your boat.

Many people find it easier to prep meals at home where there’s more space. Everything can be carried onto your boat in gallon bags or reusable containers via a cooler. From there, there are two main ways to cook meals on a boat.

Grilling: Your grill should be specifically designed for use on a boat. Desirable features include a latching lid, corrosion-resistance hardware and the ability to pivot and lock into place. You have the option between a charcoal and a gas grill; the latter of the two is better for the environment. Be sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option to select the one that’s right for you.

Galley: Cooking in the galley gives you more options than solely grilling, but remember that space is often limited. Efficient, single-pan meals are ideal for galley cooking, particularly if you have only one burner. Another benefit is that a galley may offer more storage space, which is great for leftovers and marinating meats.

Experienced boaters understand the severity of an onboard fire. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby while cooking to avert potential disasters. And remember to dispose of your trash responsibly.