Magma grills not what they used to be-gctid378887

[Guest]

My 3rd Magma grill is ready for the trash can already after only 4 seasons. They used to make a real quality item, my first grill was over 20 years old when I replaced it and it was still working fine. I replaced my second Magma which was about 10 years old with one of the new design party size grills. Electric igniter died the first year. No big deal there, but still not expected. Burner rusted out after 3 seasons. Changed that out for $30 and about an hour of sweat equity. Now this year going into season 5, the entire inner liner has rusted out and separated from the outer grill. This causes the whole unit to wobble like a drunken sailor. Granted, we do use the grill every weekend during our short season here. However, for the price we pay for these things I would expect them to last much longer. My next grill will not be a Magma, that is for certain!

[JimMc]

I would write Magma a polite letter explaining your experiences and see how they respond.

[Guest]

Whaaaaa????!!!

This is horrible - I have a 1996 grill and the only replacement I did was to get the windproof venturi ( which works great by the way ). I keep my grill in the engine compartment between uses - no rust, no fuss.

Their quality must really suck to have their product lifetime go from 15-20+ years to 5.

[Guest]

I've always said I hate these grills, my first and only one was the round one purchased in 2005-ish. Just awful. My current boat has one of the square ones (came with it) and it's definitely not a great grill. It cooks unevenly both front to back and side versus side. I have to rotate the foot from left to right and front to back.

On my previous boat I had a Force 10 grill for about three years and it worked great, cooked more evenly than the Magma, and was still looking/working fine when I sold the boat. Also cost half as much as the Magma.

[Guest]

I got my magma for around 120 or so, otherwise I would have goten another kumma or whatever they are. Its an ok grille, a bit annoying at times though especially my favorite is the warped drip pan that dumps crap all over my swim platform and I have to constantly clean it.

We must constantly move food like carlos said. We have found that putting down tinfoil 1st helps resolve many issues, along with the afterburner temps it runs at even on low temp. The admiral has it down pretty well now, I am still a failure at cooking on it though

[Guest]

biohazard wrote:
I got my magma for around 120 or so, otherwise I would have goten another kumma or whatever they are. Its an ok grille, a bit annoying at times though especially my favorite is the warped drip pan that dumps crap all over my swim platform and I have to constantly clean it.

We must constantly move food like carlos said. We have found that putting down tinfoil 1st helps resolve many issues, along with the afterburner temps it runs at even on low temp. The admiral has it down pretty well now, I am still a failure at cooking on it though

I think they cook fine, Ryan. The issue I have is the lack of longevity that used to be one of main reasons to buy them. The outside is still all shiny while the inside turns into a big pile of rust.

[Guest]

ronlord wrote:
I think they cook fine, Ryan. The issue I have is the lack of longevity that used to be one of main reasons to buy them. The outside is still all shiny while the inside turns into a big pile of rust.

Mines outside is multicolored and whatnot, looks interesting like copper in acid rain.

The inside of mine is getting cleaned next weekend, but it is deteriorating as you have stated.

[RinnyBeth]

we just bought an Aussie Stainless steel grill for our boat since our Magma was toast and parts missing from the P.O. This new grill is awesome, heats up very fast and cooks well, its the samething as the Magma square one on a scotty pole base. Its 300.00 less also... I posted a pic of the grill on an earlier thread over the weekend. Fred Meyer aka Kroger has them on sale right now of 89.00.. thats a :worthSTEAL for a stainless steel propane grill. I highly recommend getting one, if you have the place to set it. The Capt:arr made a cool huge fish cutting board that rests on the back rail and is attached to the swimstep rail, it cant slide off at all. The sale lasts till Tuesday at 11p, when they close.. we are gonna get a second one just cause an maybe use at home too..

[Guest]

I carry 2 grills - the magma kettle for steaks and burgers - where the infamous high heat is a bonus, and a GForeman for chicken/pork/etc.. where longer cook times at lower heat are needed.

I got the magma from the P.O., I doubt I would replace it with the same model because of the high heat.

[Guest]

Well, I wish mine had this high heat you speak of. I'd love to really sear a steak on the thing, but all I can manage is around 550 degrees unfortunately.

Dammit now you people have me shopping for a new grill. I had an IR for a while, now THAT was a great grill for meat!

[Guest]

SwampNut wrote:
Well, I wish mine had this high heat you speak of. I'd love to really sear a steak on the thing, but all I can manage is around 550 degrees unfortunately.

Dammit now you people have me shopping for a new grill. I had an IR for a while, now THAT was a great grill for meat!

You get the high heat with the small magma kettle grill.

[Guest]

SwampNut wrote:
Well, I wish mine had this high heat you speak of. I'd love to really sear a steak on the thing, but all I can manage is around 550 degrees unfortunately.

Dammit now you people have me shopping for a new grill. I had an IR for a while, now THAT was a great grill for meat!

PugetMike wrote:
You get the high heat with the small magma kettle grill.

I've heard the Solaire grills are nice infrared, hot and consistent. They're also twice the price.

[Mocoondo]

I've had zero issues with my Magma kettle. I think I am on about year 5 or 6 now. I swapped out a few parts a couple years ago to prevent blowouts but otherwise it has been trouble-free. The lid has taken on a bit of a copperish patina due to heat, but it doesn't affect the operation of the grill in any way. I clean the grill about once a year and keep it covered when not in use. I personally feel that with regular maintenance and upkeep, it could last forever.

I'd buy another one in a heartbeat.

[RinnyBeth]

Nehalennia wrote:
I've heard the Solaire grills are nice infrared, hot and consistent. They're also twice the price.

we had that on ours from the P.O and it didnt keep heat, infact I would love to add it to the anchor chains.. but the EPA would ticket me.. lol

the Aussie grill hit well over 700 degrees in no time flat and is perfect for grilling steaks.. cooked a costco weenie in less then a minute to burnt stage like I love them.. lol blackened.. oh ya:worth

[itsabowtime2]

We have had a Magma grill for 2 years. Replaced a $30.00 Hibachi special that was as good, if not better than the Magma.