A Beginner's Guide To Cooking On A Boat
A picnic on the water is a fantastic outing idea, especially on a longer voyage, but it does require cooking on a boat. After all, you don't want to serve your friends store bought and pre-made sandwiches when you could serve them delicious homemade appetizers! A meal on a boat is a memorable one that does involve the proper planning on your part.
Here at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales), we strive to make your life easier. We created the following guide to cooking on a boat. If you have questions or want to shop boats for sale, visit our dealership in Branson, Missouri. We also serve those in Springfield and Kansas City, Missouri.
Take Inventory Of Your Cooking Options
A boat may offer minimal space for food preparation, have a full-size kitchen complete with appliances, or fall somewhere in-between. Look over your specific model to see what cooking opportunities await you.
If you are lucky enough to own a boat with a galley (the term for a kitchen on a boat), then you can skip onto the next section. Otherwise, you will need to outfit your vessel with some sort of grill in order to properly prepare meats and vegetables.
There are many grill options for efficient cooking on a boat. Some models use square clips and mount to the boat's side, offering impressive convenience and stability. Others get attached to a pedestal seat. Others can even be used on a heat-safe surface.
One of the more unique options for cooking on a boat is a VertiGrille™. It uses skewers that move heat through the meat or vegetables. It's a great way to grill food without losing as much horizontal surface space.
Optimize Your Boat's Storage Space
You'll need ingredients and supplies to cook on your boat. All of these items need to go somewhere!
One approach is to focus on cooking one-dish meals. You won't be stuck with several dirty containers after everyone has dished up, saving valuable surface space. It also means fewer dishes to wash when you return to land, which is a win-win.
Another key strategy is trying not to cook more food than you need. You don't want any of your passengers going hungry of course! But you don't want to have your surfaces overflowing with options or have any food waste at the end of the meal. Fresh food can quickly go bad sitting out in the sun or end up with a bug infestation. Try to gauge exactly how much fresh food to bring. You can always bring extra chips, cookies, and other items that keep well in a bag while you cruise back to shore.
Be Strategic About What You Cook On Your Boat
There are some meals that are better left on land. There's no need to serve a complicated five course meal on a fishing trip, after all. Focus on dishes that are easy to serve.
Don't forget to ask your guests about dietary restrictions and allergies! Try to have enough options for everyone to enjoy.
Take advantage of meals that you can prepare ahead of time. You don't want to spend too much of your voyage cooking on your boat. Think about ways you can cut down the cooking time, such as chopping up vegetables on land. You can also focus on meals that can be eaten cold, such as pasta salad. Cook the dish on land, store it in a cooler, then enjoy when you've dropped your anchor.
Don't Forget To Take Proper Safety Precautions
There are a few key safety precautions to keep in mind when you cook on a boat.
- Check that the grill is anchored well. Otherwise, a sudden burst of waves could topple it over and send its hot contents moving around.
- If your stove is fueled by propane, don't store it near anything flammable.
- Turn the propane tank off when you are not actively using it.
- Keep a first aid kit and fire extinguisher on board.
- Pre-cut food as much as possible. Using knives on a moving boat can be risky!
- Don't serve exceptionally hot food due to the risk it could spill and cause a burn.
- Thicken soups and stews with flour or potato flakes, which will make them easier to eat on a moving vessel.
We hope you found this guide to cooking on a boat helpful. For more advice or to shop boats for sale, reach out to the experts at The Harbor (Boat & Yacht Sales). We can answer questions, provide personalized suggestions, and make the shopping process easy. You'll find us in Branson, Missouri, and we also serve those in Springfield and Kansas City.