Do You Need An Oven On A Boat?(Guide)

Do You Need An Oven On A Boat?

Boats can be an amazing place to live. They are not just a single kind of vessel, but range from a boat on the water, a boat on land, or even boats in the sky and water.

One of the most impressive things you can build for yourself is your oven in a boat. An oven in a boat is a self-sufficient lifestyle that many people look down upon because it seems so small and unrealistic.

But for people living on a budget or building their own life, it can seem like the only way to go. They build the oven in a boat around small cooking spaces.

Do You Need An Oven On A Boat?

Baking bread and cupcakes for your children is a great way to surprise them. You need little space on a boat to make these two delightful treats.

Yes. You can buy or rent an oven from boat companies or find one nearby that does not use gas. The electric oven will have to have its electric supply. You might have to run wiring from the officer’s compartment if you do not already have a place for it. Or you can get a 12-volt oven that runs off of your battery supply.

If you have a gas oven, then your boat could catch fire. But worry not, some companies make electric ovens for boats.

For your electric oven to work, you will need to ensure that it has proper ventilation, or it could catch fire. Electric ovens can be flammable and can explode if not properly vented.

Ensure that there is no water, oil, or grease in the oven before you close it up and that the door doesn’t have a big gap.

You will need to turn the switch on first and plug in the power cord to start your oven. The power cord may be hard to find on an older boat, but not on newer boats.

Are You Allowed To BBQ On A Boat In Ontario?

Yes. It’s legal to BBQ in Ontario even as long as you are on a boat. BBQing means to cook over an open fire, and one uses it specifically in the context of grilling meat.

Although there are exceptions, it rarely has anything to do with smoking or barbequing vegetables.

If you are on a boat and close to shore, then you could go to a local marina or restaurant to buy charcoal and then BBQ at your leisure.

If you are in the open water, you must care for all your waste. Please put it in a secure bin or bucket and dispose of it in the proper place ashore. The best course of action is to head to the nearest marina or port.

The exception is when you are at a wharf, dock, or private property where you have permission to barbecue on your boat. If the marina or owner allows it, there is no need for any special permits or permits.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Forestry and Parks (MNRFP) regulates the use of boats for personal use and can give permits for this.

The MNRFP manages all the conservation areas and campsites in Ontario.

You may need to show that your boat is seaworthy with a valid certificate of inspection sticker affixed to the boat to get your permit.

Can You Have A Propane Grill On A Boat?

Yes. You can use a propane grill on a boat, provided you follow all safety precautions and can anchor the boat securely. In general, you will need a 36-inch propane tank for the grill.

A propane grill will work best on a boat if it has lots of fore, aft, and wide-open space, at least 24 inches high and 16 inches wide.

You will also need to provide ample ventilation by surrounding the grill with an 8-inch foundation around the outside edges of your boat so there’s room for airflow.

Safety Precautions

Be sure to use a grill with a thermal cut-off switch so the grill will shut off if it overheats.

The cut-off switch is usually on the propane tank, and the grill will warn you with a low indicator light when the grill is too hot.

A cover made of aluminum or stainless steel (the same material as your boat’s keel) is necessary to block direct radiant heat from reaching the flame underneath.

You do not want the boat to get hot, but you want to be able to grill food on your boat when you’re ready.

A large rubber mat is another recommendation for preventing radiant heat from reaching your flame.

A propane grill serves two functions when it’s installed on a boat:

1) You use it as a small outdoor kitchen

2) You use the grill at anchorages and marinas because of its convenience.

A propane grill is not an absolute necessity on a boat, but it’s nice. Remember, you can buy pre-made grill/grill kits with all the small parts necessary to assemble your grill in minutes.

All these materials are available at most large home improvement stores.

How Do You Put A Grill On A Boat?

There are various ways you can put a grill on a boat. You can buy a small portable grill that’s specifically designed for boats.

These grills usually come with a carrying case and are aluminum or stainless steel made, lightweight and durable.

If you have access to one for your boat, you also need to hook them up to a 12v power source.

You can buy the grill you want and bring it on board with you when you take your boat out on the water, but ensure that it is fire resistant, there is always the chance of an accident.

Some people will store their grill on the boat even if they will not use it and bring it out when needed.

This helps prevent someone from stealing the grill or getting damaged while at the port. Some people will build a storage box near the boat’s back end and put their grill there.

The grill is out of sight but still accessible if you need it. Some people will even buy a portable gas can to hook up to their grill to have plenty of gas in the area.

Another way you can put a grill on a boat is by purchasing the correct spare parts for your grill. Some grills have extra areas for carrying or storing things within their spare parts.

You can buy these extra pieces and throw them on your boat if you need them. If your stove won’t light or start acting up, you could look into purchasing a part that can solve those issues.

How Does One Keep Food Hot On A Boat?

There are two major ways of keeping your food hot on a boat.

1. Using an insulated food carrier

2. Portable hot food bag

Insulated Food Carriers: People also know these insulated carriers as ‘snorkel covers’ or ‘thermal aprons.’

These carriers come in various sizes, and you can find them online or in any large boat chandlery.

Some are even big enough for use in a car’s boot or behind the seat of a truck. They are for transporting food on long-distance journeys by road.

They insulate the food with air. This is the most efficient way (volume and weight).

Everything else will use more space and weigh more, but these thermal carriers are unbeatable on a long-distance journey.

You can use these onboard a boat, especially when transporting food from the supermarket. Portable Hot Food Bags: also known as ‘baggies’ or ‘portable insulated food bags.’

Portable hot food bags compose of flexible plastic fabric with insulated lining inside and out.

Some compose of an aluminum foil-type fabric (similar to a sandwich bag you might keep in your kitchen or car boot).

These bags are for one to carry by hand and are collapsible when empty. They are sometimes harder to carry than a thermal carrier but can hold more food when full.

These bags don’t have the same insulation capability as a thermal barrier, but they still do better than not having one.

How Do You Cook On A Boat? – 7 Tips

Boats have different needs than cars and houses. There is no stove, oven, or grill to cook on.

Many people live aboard their boats and cook most of their meals afloat, but they are open to the elements without other forms of protection.

Here are 7 tips for cooking your favorite foods aboard your boat:

– Use the microwave for warming food.

– Use your oven for steaming food or warming food.

– Use the stovetop for cooking and baking.

– Keep a small hot water bottle handy to warm food on the stovetop.

– Keep a small stockpot on hand to make beans, soups, and stews in case you need quick meals when underway.

– Keep a small non-stick pan handy for cooking fish and other quick meals.

– Keep the freezer stocked with hamburgers, hotdogs, and starches for quick meals.

Knowing how to cook on a boat is not that different from cooking on land. You have to do it differently.

When your vessel is at a port docked, you can acquire all the necessary equipment to cook delicious meals aboard your boat.

What Can You Cook On A Sailboat?

Yes. You can cook on your sailboat. Below are tips to consider when cooking on your boat.

1) Keep it simple.

When deciding on what to make, try to keep things simple and not complicated. Stick with smaller recipes (meals/snacks) when sailing.

The fewer ingredients you have, the simpler it is for you to know what’s going into your dish. It also aids in keeping the boat clean and tidy.

2) Cooldown your food

You don’t want to keep warm food on your boat for more than a few hours at a time. So make sure you’re not leaving food on deck too long.

Remember that heat rises, so if your pot/pan is hot, the food won’t stay as hot as it would with an insulated pot/pan.

You can cool the food in plastic bags quicker than food in metal containers.

3) Use a stovetop, if possible

Using an alcohol stove is usually the best way to keep your boat neat and tidy. You also have more control over your flame (especially on a moving & rocking boat).

Many of today’s portable stoves are for use on boats and are relatively heavy-duty. Cooking under-deck is almost always a good idea, as that keeps your cockpit clear.

4) Keep food at a safe temperature

If you’re planning on leaving your boat for more than a few hours at a time, keep the food at a safe temperature. If using an alcohol stove, ensure to bring it indoors with you.

5) Clean well and spray with a food-safe sealer

After using a burner or heating gas, ensure you clean the stove well with running water (no soap.). Also, make sure you spray the used burner with a food-safe sealer.

This will help keep the area clean and not sooty. After using an oven, clean it well before using it again.

6) Use a non-stick pan

Using a non-stick pan will greatly affect your cooking success and make your job easier. Wash these pans well before using them again. Ensure you grease the inside of your non-stick pan with light vegetable oil.

Cooking on a moving boat can be very dangerous. You don’t cook under the deck and instead keep food in the tank, or you can put it in the oven when you’re at anchor if cooking under the deck is impossible.

You should only do underdeck cooking when you’re not sailing, at anchor, or in a marina.

How Do You Serve Food On A Small Boat?

Serving food on a small boat can be challenging. There is no refrigeration and a few different ways to prepare food for eating.

For example, many cruises and excursions have “chillers” or iceboxes that can keep food cool but also make it wet. These chillers are expensive to buy and hard to pack before leaving home.

The next best option is keeping your food in the fridge on land until you reach the boat, then unplugging the fridge to preserve energy while at sea.

The third preferred method of keeping food cool is using an evaporative cooler. For the evaporative cooler to work, you need a supply of ice.

You should pack the ice in a plastic bacteria-free bag to keep the food cold. For example, if a cruise ship has an ice machine, buy bags and place them in your cooler before leaving your dock or house.

The next challenge is how to prepare food on a small boat with no refrigerator or freezer. One way is to use dry ice, a solid carbon dioxide gas.

Another option is to use frozen food such as frozen blueberries or fresh fruit you can thaw out and then re-freeze. The last option is to cook your food in a microwave for 2-3 minutes.

This method’s drawback is that you may overcook the food, which may become tough, limiting the choice of vegetables you can use.

What Is The Galley Of A Boat?

The boat’s galley is where you prepare the meals, typically in an enclosed area near the vessel’s middle.

Galleys on old boats were compact and straightforward, while those used on large modern vessels can be quite elaborate and expensive.

The galley sits over the fore-and-aft centerline, with two ways to enter: from below or from within an adjacent superstructure that connects with hallways or stairways.

The galley is a self-contained compartment, with the galley table and stools forming the central focus.

The galley counter is perpendicular to the main passageway, serving as a dividing wall. Along one bulkhead is usually a sink, while on another is typically a refrigerator and hot-water heater.

In traditional vessels such as tugs and fishing boats, they called the area where they prepared meals the “mess,” while sailing yachts called it the “cabin.”

Preparation of food in the galley has a wide variety of names, such as “cooking,” “frying,” or even “hull maintenance.”

The galley also provides an environment for dirty work and provides important maintenance access points.

The galley’s floor typically comprises wood, metal, or plastic partitions used to build smaller enclosed compartments.

The tables usually comprise iron or stainless steel, and one uses them to prepare food, such as cutting meat and vegetables.

Many galleys have a work surface built into the counter, designed for quick repairs on the spot.

Did Ships Have Kitchens?

Yes. Ships had kitchens. Ships were the first recorded to have kitchen areas. In the 16th century, Henry VIII had a gigantic kitchen with over 100 staff members.

Before then, people ate at tables in their tents or cabins. People discovered that ships with kitchens were more likely to survive as they could cook their food and ensure it didn’t spoil.

The first ship-kitchen was on a boat called ‘The Great James’, but not until 1707 did ships become standardized and permanent structures that included kitchens on board.

The first kitchens were always on the lower deck, as this was the most stable part of the ship.

Lower decks were specifically for storage and space for the crew to work in, so there was rarely any need for a kitchen at first.

However, with time, a trend called ‘hull-down’ evolved whereby people could access additional storage space below deck.

This meant that they could keep more food below, which enabled them to feed more people and provide storage.

There was also the simpler task of keeping food cold. When World War I happened, most ships had refrigerators and iceboxes to keep food fresh.

This meant that no matter if the food was in storage or cooked on board, they got assurance to stay safe and useful until ready to eat.

Conclusion

Today, many boats boast ovens where one can cook meals on board.

Galley, or kitchen, areas may include a sink for washing dishes, pots and pans, and a refrigerator and freezer for food storage.

The number of stoves can vary depending on the size of the crew and whether they prepare the meals at set times or ad hoc, but most boats have one stove at least.